I love this book! Great pictures, how-to diagrams, recipes galore...this takes things back to 'old school'. Have you forgotten or never cooked those great dishes from yesterday or standards for today, want to get extra tips on preparations for drinks, entertaining, how to make your own piping bag? THis book has it, and its soooo cheap. I keep it on hand to train cooks/chefs about 'back in the day' or when I need to bring their head back to the basics of cooking fine meals and classic sauces, drinks, desserts...at this price I can not recommend this book enough.One of the editors is was also an editor on the Larousse Gastronomique.