Classic Candy: America's Favorite Sweets, 1950-80

Candy may well have its origins in medicine (think peppermint sticks), and many Americans still think of candy as an edible salve with which to cure and to celebrate. Today, Americans consume more than 600 billion pounds of the sugary stuff each year. Most Americans have their favorites, their go-to candy bars that bring them comfort. And most of us yearn for the candy of our youth, those treats that made us feel better no matter the occasion. From classics such as the Hershey bar and M&Ms to trend-setters like PEZ and Atomic Fireballs, candy has a special place in our hearts and memories. Lacey details the evolution of candy in America, looking at the classics from a variety of angles. With a look at everything from chocolate to fruity sweets, from simply packaging to product tie-ins, Lacey examines the classic candy of the late-twentieth century, including what it meant--and what it still means--to most of us. Readers will savor this colorful walk down memory lane to Candyland, filled with familiar signposts such as Bazooka, Clark, Necco, and Tootsie Roll.