The author of this book of donut history, trivia, and recipes -- Sally Levit Steinberg -- is the granddaughter of the man who invented the first donut-making machine. Dubbed as "The Donut Princess," Steinberg is the self-styled leading historian and promoter of the ring-shaped, deep-fried pastry.

"Donuts have been my corner of American life ever since I can remember," she writes. "Donuts were around me all the time, beautiful ones in pink jackets or with red and silver sprinkles... Why does the donut invite, tickle, please, suggest? What is this ring I'm ruining by biting? Why does a monk meditate on it? The donut we have in hand we take for granted, until one day we notice. Noticing is what we are here for."

Steinberg takes notice in these page of not only her grandfather, Adolph Levitt, but also the gifted donut makers she has found in her travels across America and the celebrities who love to indulge in their lip-smacking creations. Illustrated with historic photos, colorful advertisements and drawings, and spiced with both practical and unusual recipes, this enticingly clever text is a fun browse and a mouth-watering temptation.

Look to the back of the book for a directory of North American donut shops, from Allie's in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, to Stan's Corner in Los Angeles.