This is a fascinating cookbook to read, although with over 400 recipes eventually I was tired of all the variations and varieties. However, I do admit that is not really the point as a cookbook is to cook from, not to read, and chances are, if you are looking for any type of cookie, you will find what you want here. I especially was intrigued by the King Arthur approach to the essential American cookies, which offered recipes to encompass every taste from Chewy to Crisp and in-between; including Chocolate Chip, Sugar Cookies, Brownies, and Biscotti (although the variations on that cookie ran between Italian and American styles). Frankly, I probably will never care enough to make their version of Oreos or Whoopie Pies (that is what grocery stores are for in my estimation), but those sorts of recipes are included too for the avid do-it-yourselfer.

This definitely is a great resource book also as it has all sorts of charts, tips and "how-to's" scattered throughout the pages. For instance, we used their staggered pan layout for making chocolate chip cookies to fit more on the sheet ... and it worked like a charm. Now, why didn't I think of that? Helpful illustrations walk the reader through techniques that may be difficult to understand from the written word alone. An ending section on ingredients not only has all the basic information but answers questions such as "What's the difference between an extract, an oil, and a flavor?" or "What if I run out of baking powder?"

So the bottom line is, do I like this cookbook enough to buy it? Yes. In fact, I did buy it. I am going to work my way through all the variations of the essential cookies and the tips and hints are practical enough to make this book a worthwhile investment. ( )

This is not the only cookie book I own, but it's always the first one I consult when I want to start baking. There are all types of cookies in this book, from simple to elaborate and from familiar to exotic. I really like the way it is organized. There are several different variations of several types of standard cookies (chocolate chip, sugar, oatmeal, etc.) and there are other sections for bar cookies, drop cookies, shaped cookies, etc. Not only are the recipes great (I never had one fail.) but if you use the book regularly, you will find yourself transformed from a "recipe follower" to an independent baker in your own right. ( )