When a significant number of Americans had to prepare meals in the outdoors - as colonist, pioneers moving west, cowboys working the range, or sheep herders standing winter watch-they needed something portable to cook their food in. Ironcasters filled that need by turning out various pots, pans, and ovens to be carried to cabins, campfires, wagon trains, and camping trails. One such vessel which has been in use for generations was the Dutch Oven. In DUTCH OVENS CHRONICLED, John G. Ragsdale, a leading expert on the development, care, and use of Dutch ovens, now offers a condensed history of the technological advancements that resulted in these versatile utensils. With over twenty photos, several recipes, references to earlier works, and observations and recommendations based on his own familiarity with these ovens, Ragsdale offers an authoritative, informative, and eminently readable guide for all age groups. Outdoor enthusiasts and antiquarians alike will find this book entertaining and enlightening, and hikers and campers will value it for its insights and wisdom.