A Treasury of Great Recipes

One of the most revered and collectible cookbooks of the 20th century, Vincent and Mary Price's A Treasury of Great Recipes has stood the test of time. It now seems clear that one of the reasons this book has become a classic is not merely the recipes. This book captures an entire lifestyle -- the Postwar, globe-trotting, Pan Am, waiters in bow ties, gourmet lifestyle. This is a Mad Men book. No quick-to-the-table Betty Crocker conveniences here. Everything about this book screams "gracious dining." The Prices in their kitchen with gleaming copper pots. The reproductions of pages from vintage menus. The word "Luncheon." The two-color pen and ink illustrations. The padded leatherette binding with silk bookmark. This is not to say that the Prices are snobbish. They're cultured. And the scope and level of detail they bring to this book is loving and extraordinary.