“The homemade pie has been under siege for a century, and surely its survival is endangered.”

“We have been careless with our pie repertoire. The demise of apple-pear pie with figs and saffron and orengeado pies are tragic losses.”

“It could be argued that there is an element of entertainment in every pie, as every pie is inherently a surprise by virtue of its crust.”

“The First Law of Pies: 'No Pastry, No Pie.”

“America has developed a pie tradition unequivocally and unapologetically at the sweet end of the scale, and at no time is this better demonstrated than at Thanksgiving.”

“Pies mean Thanksgiving and Christmas and picnics.”

“The Second Law of Pies: they must be baked, not fried (or boiled, or steamed).”