Customer Rating: 
Summary: Great info for interested cooks!
Comment: I heard the last portion of Shirley's interview on NPR and was impressed by how easily she described the science of bread making. Being an avid breadmaker, I dashed out and bought the book. After reading Cookwise I felt far more confident adding my own flare to recipes. I learned how much adjustment I can make without throwing the balance of the ingredients. Every cook needs to know the reasons why recipes succeed or fail and this book has it. On a critical note, this book isn't a reliable source for recipes. Many of them didn't work for me, and further, Cookwise isn't organized as a cookbook, anyway. If you want fabulous recipes and a comprehensive index, try Joy of Cooking.
Customer Rating:
Summary: This is not just another cookbook......
Comment: This is not just another cookbook.......it's a book that discusses food properties and the hows and whys of successful cooking. It tells you why certain ingredients are used in recipes, why they work the way they do and why other ingredients may not work as well. It's exciting to read a cookbook that actually explains to you why recipes work rather than just telling you "How Good It Tastes"! I recommend it wholeheartedly. It's not a cheap book, but if you're serious about cooking, it's well worth the money.
FatBoys ought to know, JDWilli
Customer Rating:
Summary: a great companion to the home chef
Comment: it is truly one of the best reference tools for the home chef. the recipes are nice and it is a remarkable tool for writing your own recipes.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Science of food!
Comment: If you're interested in the particulars of food, from bread to eggs to chocolate, this is the book for you. When you can fully undersatand what's going on with the ingredients in particular recipes, the results will be outstanding. One of the best ways to develop your own recipes from scratch. The recipes in the book are excellent as well.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Brings cooking down to a science. Builds confidence.
Comment: I am an avid cook and I loved this book. I actually read it like a cooking magazine instead of just using the recipes. Every recipe I have tried has been fabulous.
