I grew up peering over my mother's shoulder into Ms. Vanderbilt's amazingly comprehensive and complete guide to cooking. It takes you through the simple steps to create gorgeous home-cooked meals that can stand with the best of any restaurants. The greatest thing about the book is that many of the recipes are fairly basic and can be augmented by a more experienced cook to show off their own style. I was distressed when the binding finally fell off --- from so much use!

I first saw this book by my sister-in-law. She had served us perfect pancakes. When I asked if she used box-mixture, she showed me the book. So I decided to source one for myself. It's a bit difficult to find, as it is out of print. But the trouble to get is certainly worth it. This book is really a good purchase for anyone desiring to expand his or her recipe bank. Every recipe is easy to follow, and the results are just perfect! Now, I follow the recipes from the book whenever I have a special occasion. It's so good, I even bought one for my younger sister.

This is the most comprehensive cookbook I have ever found for the American kitchen. Where others specialize in a particular category (low-fat cookbooks, gourmet, ethnic, etc.), this book covers virtually EVERYTHING!!My copy is one of the first printings (from the 1950s), and has been used in my family for generations. This is simply the most useful cookbook you can have in your kitchen (I keep mine up in the cupboard for easy access). I refer to it as the cooking "encyclopedia." Need to know how to make the perfect scrambled eggs? How about every pie IMAGINABLE? The recipes are definitely traditional 1950s American cooking (nothing too low fat here), but you'll find the book invaluable when wanting to come up with a quick solution for your meals. If you want to add variety to your diet, there is also a suggested meal listing for an entire WEEK! The book even includes proper table settings, and cooking guidelines that have been passed on for generations. BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Hi. Great book

I received this book upon 8th grade graduation 21 (yikes!) years ago from a lady my mother worked for. I found it to be a most interesting and informative book back then. I still refer to it today, yellowed and worn as it is! I have given a copy of this book to my husband's niece upon her 8th grade graduation, and will be giving one to my own daughter when she graduates 8th grade this month! Even if a young teen doesn't fully appreciate the book at the time, she will in time. It is a valuable resource for any woman, young or old, who wishes to follow proper etiquette, and covers just about every situation imagineable.

I heard Ms. Dunnan's book advertised on the radio and considered purchasing it until I heard her interview, including etiquette excerpts from the book. Ms. Dunnan criticized the use of cell phones, stating that only people such as medical personnel, who may have "emergencies" should have cell phones. Many jobs today require people to be accessible 24 hours a day. While "emergencies" in other occupations may not be a matter of life and death, the stakes can still be very high.

Ms. Dunnan also feels it is rude for people with long legs to rest them on seats in front of them. Should people with long legs not go to a movie theater if they can't fit comfortably in one seat? Is it also rude for tall people to sit in front of anyone at theaters, concerts or parades?

Ms. Dunnan should limit her etiquette suggestions to topics of which she has a complete understanding. Her blanket statements and judgements are the foundation on which prejudice, racism and general intolerance of others are founded.

When in doubt, this is the book that comes out first. My husband and I pulled it out several times during our engagement to find out "how" we should do things. From setting the table to working with kitchen staff help this book has it all. (Now if I could just afford the staff!)

Let me just say that before this book I was an absolute disaster. Poor posture, the wrong lipstick, you name it. But then I wised up and picked up a copy of this book and it did wonders for my rather uncouth appearance.