This is the best cooking resource I have used in the 25 years I have been cooking. For New Years I made Chateaubriand for six for the first time ever, and it was perfect. This book does not just give you recipes, but also gives you step by step instructions on preparation.

This is the best transatlantic summary of French cooking since Julia Child's _Mastering the Art of French Cooking_. It goes a step beyond that book (and those like it) by providing exhaustive technical and historical information on the recipes and products, and the author's distinct opinions on cooking and eating. The new edition differs from the first one in many respects, including the elimination of pates (terrines only in this one) and the recipe for demi-glace (the real thing, not the fake stuff found in restaurants these days). She also adds new recipes to address contemporary tastes for Asian and Latin American flavors, but the core is still French. The cover depicts Kamman whisking a generous amount of butter (hooray!) into a sauce. Great reading too, and no glossy pics.

This is an essential book if you are a well-disciplined cook who loves to read, and to understand the hows & whys of cooking. It's a hefty book to say the least. People who absorbed and enjoyed Julia Child will probably find this book as beneficial, and somewhat more up to date. Not for casual cooks, but for those "with attitude", not to mention a cooking passion, it's a tremendous value.

I enjoyed reading Phyllis Richman's first murder mystery- so much so I hope she continues to write more. Having lived in the Washington area, I have enjoyed her restaurant reviews. I also like cooking. Combine murder mysteries with cooking and I'm hooked. The plot to "The Butter Did It" is well constructed and it has plenty of suspects. You learn a lot about the main character, food critic Chas Wheatley. She is not perfect, though. I have a hard time believing she loves to walk in Washington D.C. Traffic, construction and pollution make that difficult. Never mind, it's a good read.

THE BUTTER DID IT is a fun read from the first page.
As a fan of mystery and cooking I enjoyed the romp through the professional world of food.

Ms Richman obviously knows her business and her witty style keeps you turning the pages.

The title suggests an author with a sense of humor and her story confirms your expectations.

I eagerly look forward to Ms Richman's next adventure with Chas and friends in their tasty world of food, mystery and interesting characters

Phyllis Richman is a many-faceted woman. She wrote restaurant reviews that were outstanding for The Washington Post. She has written articles for Gourmet Magazine. She has written several mysteries weaving the food scene with the storyline. Phyllis, when can we expect your next book and isn't there a screenplay in the offing? She also sits on the prestigious James Beard Committee for culinary awards. When I think of restaurants, I think of Phyllis Richman. Purchase this book; you won't be disappointed.

Bette has done her usual great job at describing Celiac Sprue, Gluten free living, using gluten free ingredients and baking and cooking with this challenging diet.

In this book Bette shows how to make up "mixes" for we who are gluten challenged. For example she explains cake and bread flour mixes, my two favorites, that can be made up in large quantities, mixed very well and stored for later use. This makes it as convenient to bake a gluten free cake, as it is to make one from one of those boxes from the grocery-baking aisle. There are many other mixes. (I counted 36.) One of my favorite everyday mixes is Onion Soup. I use it when cooking meats and stews. This one alone has saved my day when the children's activities take up all my time and energy and I just could not have sliced and diced and browned and simmered, etc, to get the onion base for the gravy just right.

Bette supplies recipes for lots of the hard to find things like Sweet and Sour sauce, Sweet Pickle relish, low-fat dressing and lots more. She also explains some very helpful substitutions like things to use in baking if you have lactose intolerance and Sprue (and the taste doesn't overwhelm in the final product).

Just seeing how Bette creates her mixes and uses them in her recipes is a great education. Once you start using this book you probably will get the courage to try out your own mixes or vary Bette's until it meets with your palates delight.

Her recipes are easy to use. She explains the directions well. The end product is delightful.

I love this book and refer to it often even when I am not using it to bake. I take it to the grocery store to use as a reference.

This book, along with Betty's others, is a MUST have for any person with Celiac Disease. Her recipes give hope that we might eat "normal" food again. Wonderful tasty recipes and good information at the beginning of the book also. BUY IT!!

Bette Hagman has outdone herself with her third gluten-free cookbook! She has included many recipes that incorporate the newer use of bean flours as well as bread machines. She continues to come up with innovative new recipes for both breads and main dishes. It is a must for any gluten-free cook. I particularly enjoyed how easy the recipes are to do, and they are quick. I also appreciate the health-conscious attitude the book takes. As always, she provides quite a bit of excellent reference information and background to help people newly struggling with the gluten-free diet, as well as those who have been on it a long time. Definitely my favorite of the three!

Sara Moulton is by far my favorite TV chef, and I've been watching her for about 3 years on both "Cooking Live" and "Sara's Secrets." If you've ever tried her recipes that are available from her shows, then you know that her style of cooking is simply all around good food. Her show has inspired me to try new things and styles of cooking, and this cookbook continues in that tradition.

The recipes in this cookbook appear to be a bit more difficult than the ones that she usually features in her shows, but they are still very reasonable. The variety of recipes runs from hors d'oeurves to soups to meat dishes to deserts. There are even separate sections on vegetarian main courses and breakfast foods. Most of the meat dishes also include a tidbit letting you know the appropriate wine to serve with that dish. The beginning of the book includes a special section that defines what the the items in recipes mean (like when she says eggs, she means large ones). I especially like the section she calls Pantry. This includes simple recipes for essentials such as chicken stock and vinaigrette dressing.

She has included personal stories with almost every recipe, and many of the recipes have been inspired by close friends and family. For example, she tells how her sister makes wonderful cookies and has continued making cookies their grandmother Ruth made, hence the setup for Ruth Moulton's Spice Balls. These personal touches help bring life to the cookbook.

I do wish there were more pictures of the food, however. Even though my cooking never looks as perfect as the pictures in the cookbooks, I like having an idea of how it's supposed to turn out. I do wish there were just a few more recipes that are styled for a quick meal- most of the recipes are a bit time intensive.

I strongly recommend this cookbook, but just keep in mind it's not for a beginner.

I've watched Sara for years on Food TV and have downloaded tons of recipes from her show. Now she has the best recipes in her book. They are easy to make and delicious to eat. Besides the fun stories behind each recipe, Sara also has suggestions for appropriate side dishes and even wine suggestions. This is a great cookbook for a beginning cook and also for anyone who wants to add mouthwatering and simple recipes to their weekly menues without breaking the bank or having to drive around town hunting for rare ingredients. Bon appetite!

One of the things that I've always liked about Sara Moulton's shows was that the recipes used were fairly easy to follow and not too difficult to prepare. I'm not the greatest cook in the world and tend not to bother with a recipe if it's overly long or too difficult. Most of the recipes in this book are suitable for even cooks with limited skills like myself. They are not at all intimidating (much like Sara herself)and don't require ingredients that can only be found in specialty shops in New York or Chicago. The instructions are real easy to follow. The book also has a lot of nice photos. If you like Sara Moulton's style on TV, you'll enjoy this book.

I bought this book when I moved out of the dorm rooms with my husband. He didn't know how to cook at all and I could cook. I could cook marvelous cheesecakes, fabulous beef stroganoff, meals that take hours, but nothing for I've just come home from work and need dinner Now. That is what this cookbook is for. Learning everyday recipes you can do if you have a lot of time or a little. She also give suggestions on what to do with the leftovers(lamb curry is exceptional) and, occasionally, what to serve the dish with. More than improving my cooking skills this book has been invaluable in improving my meal planning skills.

Of course, no book is perfect. I found her black bean soup to be rather bland. (Try the original Moosewood Cookbook's Brazilian Black bean soup) Her recipes use milk, cream, butter, and oil like your grandmother used to, so if you are nervous around any fat at all, this is not the book for you. And I recommend using corn starch for gravies rather than flour since it is simpler and comes out smooth no matter what. Finally, some recipes are time consuming and being a busy modern person I rarely get around to making chicken broth as she suggests. But it is still nice to know.

Otherwise, this is a simple cookbook with clear instructions for a novice. Nothing fancy (a few dishes and all the appetizers would do well at a dinner party, but for the most part this is every day cooking), just good home cooking.

I have 6 children, ranging from teens to toddler, and I cook a lot. I have always appreciated Marion Cunningham's recipes because they are realistic and the way families eat. I bought this book to add to my collection and have thoroughly enjoyed it. My family has enjoyed everything I've cooked from it. With this cookbook I successfully made delicious biscuits for the first time. Even when the subject is an area I'm already comfortable with I enjoy reading it. I agree completely with her goal of helping us cook for our families and friends so that we can share a delicious, wholesome meal with the people we love. Her recipes and comments are to be treasured and passed down to future generations with wonderful memories.

Have you tried to make scrambled eggs and they came out dry and bland? Bought some fresh trout from the supermarket, tried to follow a recipe, only to be disappointed with your dinner?

If this sounds like you, chances are you're a beginner cook. You are trying to use your kitchen to make home cooked / hearty meals - but don't always know exactly how to prepare something. Or cut something. Or season.

If the above is the case, then this is THE book. Learning To Cook has several sections - appetizers, soups, salads, fish, chicken, meats, vegetables, breakfasts, deserts, etc. Each section has 5 - 10 recipes. What makes this book unique is that each recipe is a beginners "how to" on how to make the dish. And the instructions cover EVERYTHING! That is, you can start clueless, then read a recipe in 15 minutes and know exactly HOW to make a great salad - or soup - or fish - or chicken dish.

I've used this book for a month as follows: I've read one recipe about every other evening. I've stopped at a supermarket on my way home from work to purchase what the recipe calls for. I then re-read the recipe and then follow the instructions to make a great meal - every time.

In just a month, I've graduated from the level of kitchen neophyte!

The book is also full of tidbits - how to store fruit, photos of various salads, what to do with leftovers.

If you've never cooked in your life, or have tried and have been disappointed, or are embarresed to admit it you don't know what you're doing in a kitchen, then Learning To Cook is a must!

This book is one of the best I've ever read in my life. It's definitely the best piece of fantasy out there, apart from the other volumes of the 'Chronicles of an Age of Darkness' Series, especially the 4th and 10th. If You're bored by all the regular fantasy novels from various authors i won't mention here, where everything is black or white and the structure and course of action are so clear that You know everything in advance, this will genuinely cheer You up again! The characters don't seem to be constructed and are vivid and realistic. Things happen as if by random, which makes the book so thrilling to read. However the plot doesn't end up in total chaos, but always leads to certain crucial events in the history of the world. It is seen from a different point of view in each of the 10 volumes and the stories may entwine. The different heroes interact: They meet and talk to each other, they fight each other or join in a common cause for a while. So a person who appears only shortly in a former volume may be the hero in the next, or former main characters casually appear in a later volume. This fascinating feature can not be found in any other fantasy series I know of. It really makes me sad that the series seems to end with the 10th volume. I'd give a year of my life to read more of it (especially about the south searcher plot and the Skull of The Deep South). So if you ever happen to read this, Hugh, write more! Or if You're a reader and know Hugh or his email address, pester him with pleas for more ;)

This is the first book of an excellent series.

The characters are complex and facinating, the plots complex yet enthralling and believable. The humor and deviousness of the situations and characters created by Cook are unmatched by any other fantasy author I have read, except perhaps Fritz Lieber. The world in which the series is set slowly unfolds like a detailed tapestry as the ten book series continues.

In an interesting twist, the plot lines of the books intersect and the characters cross one another's paths throughout the series, yet each book contains a separate story.

I whole-heartedly recommend this book and the remainder of the series. (This book and the fourth and tenth books in the series, are anchors of the series.)

It was with some trepidation thet I embarked upon reading this tome, the title sounding too close to a generic "swords and sorcery" type volume. But after reading a few chapters I was hooked, not one sign of the cliches I was expecting. Instead realistic 'heroes' with realistic motivations trying to survive in an intricately detailes world. Unfortunatley this and the other nine books in the series are very hard to find, but I wholeheartedly reccomend this book and all it's sequels. Go find them, buy them read them, and above all enjoy them.

I am a Classic ASP developer. The company that I work for has recently decided to pursue .NET for future web development. This was the first book that I read in order to get a grasp of the changes from Classic ASP to ASP.NET. I have to say that this book was a GREAT introduction to a lot of the new features of ASP.NET.

There are a few things I would like to point out when considering buying this book:
1.This is a beginner book. No advanced topics.
2.Good coverage of the different types of controls available in .NET.
3.Quick and easy read.
4.Only basic coverage of ADO.NET.
5.Source code available as a download.
6.Assumes that you have VS.NET although I used ASP.NET Web Matrix.

There were some typos but nothing ridiculous.
Overall I like this book. Good price for a good book.

This book seems to be geared towards classic ASP developer who wants to learn about ASP.NET. There are chapters explaining the difference between ASP.NET and classic ASP and migrating Web applications from classic ASP to ASP.NET. Some code examples use HTML with embedded VB, some use HTML with code-behind files coded in C#, and some use HTML with embedded C# code. The book discusses .NET architecture/framework in some detail and explains complicated topics such as: MSIL, CLR, and JIT quite well. The book covers a lot of territory, including ADO.NET, working with XML data, HTML and Server Controls, Validation Controls, Debugging, User Controls, and Web Services. There are several appendixes which cover ASP.NET syntax, ADO.NET object model, VB.NET language reference, and C# language reference.

This book is a concise and incomplete reference of ASP.NET, but that appears to have been author's intent. It's well written, well organized and easy to understand. I think the intended audience, which is a beginner-to-intermediate Web developer, will find it useful. The author makes an assumption that the reader is familiar with HTML, XML, VB or C#, and knows how to use Visual Studio.NET. DO NOT buy this book if you studying for Microsoft Certification exam/s, it's not intended for that purpose.

The title says it all; if you don't have a lot of time to read and just want examples that show you how to get started, this book is for you. The sections on validation controls and ADO.NET were particularly helpful to me: simple code that works, helping me gradually shift my paradigm while still being productive in the transition.

Although the appendices contain some lightweight "refresher" language and class references (which do what they are expected to do), your deeper needs may not be met here. If you need a more complete view of the .NET framework, try Steven Walther's ASP.NET Unleashed; on the other hand, if you want to get your brain around the web controls and data access that form the core of most ASP.NET applications, look no further than ASP.NET By Example. It does what it claims to do, without being everything to everyone... which works very well for its typical reader, the time-starved developer who just came to be shown how to get the job done.

Melissa Cook's work is best suited for the reader possessing little exposure to the overarching concepts concerning the use of modern information systems to support enterprise environments. Viewed from this perspective the book appears to be successful. The text covers several EA topics and issues in a simple, relatively non-technical manner. It also devotes, where possible, a portion of its space to the historical background concerning a particular topic.

For the contemporary CIO or VP of information systems/technology who needs to wrestle with the demands of actually building an enterprise information architecture, the prospects for Cook's book may be different. Such readers may well want to search for texts that drill deeper into the issues and challenges to be faced when building or reengineering application architectures.

Definitely a book to read to understand what an Enterprise architecture is and how to develop one. The book provides a step-based approach to get you to the point where a company can define its EA and how to evolve it. If you are looking for technical details you are in the wrong place. But if rather you want to understand the business benefits, then I doubt you'll find something easier to read on this subject.

My high endorsement for this publication reflects both the importance of the subject matter and the author's approach to presenting it. Cook takes the academically high-brow subject of information systems architectural planning and relates the major concepts in terms that any business user, manager or exective should appreciate. The first three chapters of this book are a must-read for EVERY business executive and manager who relies on information systems to help manage their enterprise.

I loved the first Black Company book. I found the second and third books to be entertaining, but not really in the same class. I read this book fourth, and found it to be hardly recognizable as the work of the same author. The characters are unsympathetic and one-dimensional, and the plot meanders without rhyme or reason. The climax is a yawner and the denouement is neither believable nor satisfying. From reading the other reader reviews it is clear that some Black Company fans enjoyed this one. . . I just hope that the later books in the series recapture some of the gritty, imaginative writing of the original.

Poor Raven. That was one of my fist thoughts as I finished this book. I must agree with some of the other reviews here. If you have not read the first part books of the Black Company series at least, don't pick this one up. If you have, read it, but be forewarned: this is one of the darkest books Cook has written yet.

The book is sort of an aside to the series up to this point. It answers the questions of what happened to Darling and Raven. Raven has become a tragic figure. He has drunk himself into oblivion for many years straight. His companion begins to keep a journal inspire by Raven's stories of Croaker. Raven, Silent and Bomanz are the main subjects of this journal. Of course something happens to cause Raven to clean up and act the part of the hero to defend Darling, with the usual unusual twist to it.

In the meantime, Cook also follows Toadkiller Dog and his sometimes unwilling allies in a purely narrative style. As usual evil is relative and the reader finds themselves favoring one over the other. The reader, like Raven hears rumours and catche glimpses only of Croaker. This is not about the Black Company per se, but rather a wrap up of some characters and their futures and the beginning of a mystery for later. I personally liked the book a great deal, but missed the rest of the Company.

If you haven't read any of the Back Company books, do so immediately. Don't argue with me, go find The Black Company and read it, Now! Don't start with this one though. Not that it's not a great book, it's just that you won't have a clue as to what is going on. The cover of this book should have a warning notice- Full Familiarity With The Black Company Required. If you are a fan, get ready for a great story. This is the tale of the search for The Silver Spike, the object containing the essence of the defeated Dominator. The old characters here are just like you remember them, Croaker, One-eye, Goblin and all the rest with a few new ones thrown in. Cook's ability to make you feel that you are standing just over the shoulder of his characters is a true gift. If you are a Company fan and don't buy this book, I'm going to find you and make fun of you

I have purchased many cookbooks and downloaded a large amount of recipes in my life, yet when it comes to chicken, this is one of my primary sources to turn to for ideas.

The book is organized into well thought out groupings, such as Chicken Lite, International, grilling, oven meals, etc. with easy to read recipes. One of my all time favorites coes from this book and many of my "mainstays" originated from here as well.

With 365 recipes to choose from, you can eat chicken every day of the year and not repeat a dish once!

What a great book this is. The recipes are written clearly and concisely. Some of my children's favorite chicken dishes - I discovered in this book.Any cookbook that can accomplish that is tops with me. It wasn't until a friend of mine borrowed the book from me that I realized how much I depended on it. I've gone to grab the book 3 or 4 times in the two weeks she's had it - now I'm buying a copy for her as a gift.

. . . and probably the best investment! I've used this book hundreds of times for ideas. While the recipes aren't particularly "fancy," there are a number that are "dinner-party" calibre.

The chapter on "The Well-Traveled Chicken" includes my favorite Coq au Vin recipe. In the "Could Be Veal" chapter, the recipe for "Lemon Chicken Scaloppine with Artichokes" is particularly nice and remarkably easy, and always results in requests for the recipe. There's an entire chapter devoted to the Cornish Game Hen (called "Chicken Little"), with some creative ways to fix these little birds (one of my favorites is Apricot-Glazed Cornish Hens Stuffed with Wild Rice).

I've had very good luck with the entire _365 Ways to Cook ..._ and _365 Easy ... Recipes_ series published by Harper & Row (I think it's Harper Collins now). While many of the recipes are so simple that I find myself wondering "Now, why didn't *I* think of that? ," the fact is, I **didn't** think of it.

If you're looking for *really* good basic fool-proof chicken recipes easily put together by an average cook in an average kitchen, this is definitely the book for you.