Rating: 
Summary: Try Fanny Farmer Instead...
Review: WARNING: Do not buy this book if you live west of the Rockies! This book is intended for the Northeast.Aside from the factually wrong (corn is not the only native grain to the Americas; the redwood is the tallest tree not the Douglas Fir), this book lacks a great deal. The drawings are sparsely spaced, tools are not illustrated or demonstrated, and the tone is at best xenophobic. Mr. Bittman dismisses woks as they have round bottoms-neglecting to note the infamous and cheap wok stand. His list of vegetables and fruits is at best incomplete and shows his complete and utter lack knowledge of fruits and vegetables available on the West Coast. Scandinavian, Mexican, Japanese, Californian, and Southern, and vegetarian cooking are all omitted or paid scant attention to. His knowledge of baking omits all but the most WASPy of recipes. For a more complete and comprehensive book, see The Fanny Farmer Cookbook, as revised by Marion Cunningham. For the more adventurous cook, try The San Francisco Chronicle Cookbook. And, please do stay away from Mr. Bittman's tome.
Rating: 
Summary: The first cookbook that has given me confidence to cook!
Review: I will never need another cookbook after this. For years, I have looked for a cookbook that offers recipes that I would want to cook and have the confidence to serve. It is finally here!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best cookbooks....EVER
Review: I bought this for a bridal shower gift and of course couldn't help looking at it before I gave it. Then I tried a recipe (is that bad?) and was AMAZED at the results. It was fantastic. This is one of the most useful cookbooks I have EVER seen, with information that all levels of cooks can use, like boning a chicken. Also the many lists he puts in the book, like Thanksgiving side dishes and sandwich suggestions are enlightening and inspiring. I am still giving my gift, but I am definately buying a copy for myself -- and for every bride whose shower I attend from now on!
Rating:
Summary: excellent for the beginner
Review: This book is wonderful; not only does it have very basic recipies but also has a list of suggestions next to enabling one to experiment or vary the recipe; just what I wanted. And perfect for those with little confidence in the kitchen.
Rating:
Summary: This should be the "I'm on my own now, cookbook."
Review: This cookbook will be my "housewarming" gift to each of my children as they move into their first "I'm on my own now" apartment. I have found this cookbook of great help in the search for "what shall we eat tonight?" My husband, bless his heart, took over the cooking responsibilities throughout our 25 year marriage. Although I enjoy baking I never learned basic everyday meal preparation skills. Mr. Bittman understands where I'm coming from. His simple explainations and everyday style (read non-gourmet) has been a great help to me when Hubby wants a break. I've been enjoying actually cooking instead of ordering out or doing "shake n bake." Each recipe I've tried has been a success!!! Thank you Mr. Bittman for writing a cookbook for the rest of us! Mrs.D from MA making our home now in CO.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but disappointing in some basic ways.
Review: While this is really an excellent basic book, it might better be titled "How to Cook Everything: At Least, Everything You Might Want To Eat if You're a WASP or Yuppie Who Lives in The Northeast US and Don't Eat Much Spicy or Ethnic Food but Italian.". I was really jazzed by the reviews of this book, but found no recipies for: Vindaloo, pretty much anything mexican, anything but really basic chinese, and at that point I stopped looking. A good basic addition to your recipe sets, but hardly how to cook *everything*.
Rating:
Summary: A comprehensive, entertaining, wonderful cookbook.
Review: I love this cookbook! It has a huge selection of recipes and the author, unlike many snobby cookbook authors, understands you may not have the fancy ingredients on hand, and generously allows you to substitute the more common ones. Also, unlike some other cookbooks, this one does not require highly specialized, expensive cooking tools. There is a very helpful list in the back of menus for every possible occasion, and a long list of dishes you can make in less than thirty minutes.
Rating:
Summary: This is the book I've been waiting for!
Review: FINALLY! Instead of the usual recipe collection with a few tips written in the margins, this is a genuine "how to" manual. Every recipe I have tried has been accurate, delicious, and most of all, non-threatening. I recommend this book to cooks and non-cooks alike.
Rating:
Summary: Between all my cookbooks, I'll choose this one.
Review: I'm currently studying to become a chef. So I cook at least 2 elaborated meals every day. I have tons of cookbooks, and I use most of them, but not one compares to this one. I gave one to my newly married best friend, and another one to my cooking business partner. I'm not going to tell anyone else about it, otherwise, everyone is going to become a chef and I will have to find a new job. Following this book's instructions, everybody can cook the most delicious dishes in an incredibly easy way. Just do what Mark says, if he had chosen to be a scientist he would have been called Einstein.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to read
Review: I bought a copy for myself and was able to give away many of my other cook books. I'm buying another copy for my sister-in-law who really needs only one cookbook.
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