I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend who is a wonderful, natural cook. He uses this cookbook all the time and recommended it when I mentioned that I really don't know how to cook and could use a book that not only gives you the recipe, but tells you how to make the dish, from start to finish. Julia Childs' cookbook does that and in an easygoing manner. Her desire to help people learn how to cook really comes out in this book. She was a fabulous cook who really desired helping other's learn how to cook as well. My only complaint is how much butter she uses in her recipes, a lot! Other than that, I have no real complaints and think this is a fabulous cookbook for those of us who would like to cook, but don't quite know how to start!