[.ca] The Appetizer Atlas: A World of Small Bites (ISBN 0471411027)

Excellent!:
Everything about this book is impressive. The recipies are exhaustively researched and every region begins with a several page very entertaining description of the factors affecting the area's cuizine. Here and in the recipies themselves you will learn the spirit and letter of enjoying food in different parts of the world. Flipping the book open to any page, here's what you see: first, the name of region and sub-region you are in, a very interesting synopsis of the dish and what makes it special. Right below this, is a very helpful section called "Chef's Notes", which tells you the secrets of proper preparation and what pitfalls to avoid. The format of the recipies is elegant and easy to follow. Advance preparation directions are especially helpful. Optional ingredients are clearly marked and possible substitutions are noted. The preparation directions are very clear, giving you confidence that the author's have actually prepared the dishes and know exactly what to do and when. Nevertheless, what really shines about this book is the actual appetizers chosen and the helpful way the world is subdivided. Reading over the names of the dishes alone will be enough to get you excited. As you dig deeper you will be drawn into the style and flavor of the region. The detailed and complete recipies found in this book which are packed with real information about the area and how to cook it is infinitely superior to the glib and hodge-podge collection that often passes for a cookbook. Buy this one and you will not be disappointed!

Excellent reference:
I bought this book to express my appreciation for Arthur Meyer's organic chemistry class. Oddly enough, I discovered that he had an entirely different life outside teaching. The Appetizer Atlas is not only a comprehensize cookbook, but a good reference to the cutural aspects of cooking. Each section begins with a brief history of the geography and the culture of the region and how these contributed to the local cuisine. Extensively researched and elegently concieved, this book is a smart buy.

Loaded with Information:
The amount of accurate information about the world's cuisines is staggering. I loved the broad selection of recipes- meats, game, poultry, fish and seafood, and vegetarian. The recipes are clearly written and they work! A must read for professionals and home cooks alike. Should be on everyone's wish list.

Great book!:
I made six items from this book for a recent party, and every one was a hit. It has easy to follow instructions, and I love the sidebars references to recipe origins, etc.

A Culinary Tour de Force:
Meyer and Vann have provided a wealth of information for the professional and the home cook alike. Selections include meats, game, poultry and fowl,fish and seafood and vegetarian offerings from every cooking region of the world. This cookbook takes the place of hundreds of single topic books. The recipes are very easy to follow and they come out great! This is a cookbook that begs to be read. Sitr in your favorite easy chair and curl up with the Appetizer Atlas. It's a great read!