We All Scream

Overview

A family's legacy of sweetness, soured by secrets and scandal. For over 70 years, Gifford’s Ice Cream and Candy Company was a beloved institution in Washington, D.C. But behind the happy facade lay a dark truth: elaborate schemes, a crushing bankruptcy, millions missing, and a tragic suicide.As Andrew Gifford, the last heir, unearths his family's story, he reveals a web of betrayals and intrigue rooted in the company's beginnings. From its modest start to its legendary downfall, discover the dark influences that destroyed the Gifford business and its troubled family. Perfect for readers seeking a blend of family saga, true crime, and a taste of American history.

Reviews

“The most frightening book I’ve read about Washington since Newt Gingrich’s “Understanding Trump.” A Southern Gothic for the DC area. Loved it.”  —Mike Sacks, Vanity Fair

“The story Gifford tells is so much more than of the demise of an American ice cream empire. With its twists and mysteries, some unsolved to the end, it’s a riveting ride.” —Judith Beermann, The Georgetown Dish

“What begins as a behind-the-scenes scoop on the implosion of a beloved ice cream dynasty transforms into a harrowing tale of self discovery. Gifford writes with a scathing honesty that spares no one – himself least of all. Bittersweet and brilliantly wrought.” —Nevin Martell, Food writer and author of "Freak Show Without a Tent."

“Despite the sweetness of this family’s product, Gifford survived one of the most brutal and heartbreaking childhoods ever to be committed to the page. His ability to translate such sad memories into fine art is a mark of his resilience and testament to the strength of the human spirit.” —Cathy Alter, Author of "Crush"

“An embattled and fought-over ice cream empire gone bust, three generations of a deeply disturbed and troubled family, missing people and millions of dollars gone, and myriad unsolved mysteries. Andrew Gifford’s life is a kind of living ‘potboiler’ of a book, a riveting read. Gifford is a very gifted writer. I was mesmerized. Very highly recommended.” —Tim Bazzett, Author of "Booklover"

“Fascinating and horrifying, We All Scream is a well-crafted memoir that attempts to peel away the layers of a troubled family mired in decades of abuse, disappointment, and scandal. It is a son’s attempt to understand and reconstruct his parents, coming to the realization that, as with life, sometimes there are no answers. The book is at times a detective story, a coming-of-age tale, a personal memoir, and a therapeutic rage at fate. I will never eat ice cream at an ice cream parlor again without thinking of this book and how something so sweet can turn so very bitter.” —Tara Laskowski, Editor of Smokelong Quarterly, author of "Bystanders"