Had read a series of Twitter comments wherein people were commenting on the one British cookbook they felt was most important and this was it, so I bought a copy. Let me say I was not disappointed.Some 1,200 pages of insight, tips, methods, shortcuts (to do and not/never to do), and recipes that, although they seem somewhat dated, continue to be the foundation of the cooking most of us who are not professional chefs enjoy doing. It's more than the basics, though, as I have been reading page after page of ideas, tips and techniques that are superb in their simplicity, timelessness, inventiveness and practicality. I like this much more than Joy of Cooking or any of the 'famous' American cookbooks that 'every housewife' should own. This cookbook is a real treasure with a treasure trove of information. It's like an encyclopedia of cooking and recipes.My collection is nearly 3,500 cookbooks. If you want a veritable bible of how to cook, what to cook, and how to do it simply and well, this should be on your shelf somewhere. A real keeper and a joy to read as well!