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Awesome recipes! ...wordy book :>)

Customer Rating:
The recipes in Brother Juniper's book are a real gem! If you are into learning about the intricacies of the author's mind you might also be entertained by the philosophical ramblings, if not, just enjoy the fine recipes. The first recipe I tried, his Three Seed Bread was to die for and I have Energy Cookies in the oven as I write.

A spiritual approach to bread

Customer Rating:
This book has fabulous and easy to follow recipes along with Brother Juniper as a spiritual guide through the bread making process. His enthusiasm for making bread and finding the perfect blend of flavors has helped me achieve some of the best bread I have made yet. I highly recommend this book for reading and for making bread.

Zen & the Art of Baking

Customer Rating:
I've been baking bread for about 6 or 7 years now -- spurred by the desire to have good, affordable, SAFE bread for our nut-allergic son. I quickly moved from the bread machine to the KitchenAid to making whole wheat sourdough loaves by hand each week as the family staple. Increasingly, I try to embrace a 'less is more' approach in the kitchen.

I picked up the hardcover version of this book a little over two years or so ago, and really enjoyed it -- but not for the recipes (tho' there are some intriguing ones here). Mostly too complex for my liking.

Rather, I was captured by the author's infectious love of and approach to baking. Mr. Reinhart wrote this volume with a solemn candor tempered by wit and humor. I found (and find) it wonderfully refreshing.

So ... delighted with the purchase but, paradoxically, more from a philosophical than a culinary perspective.

Peter Reinhart fan

Customer Rating:
If you love Peter Reinhart, you'll want to add this book to your collection.
True, go for the Bread Baker's apprentice, or Crust and Crumb if you don't have any of his books yet. They are both must haves and Bread Baker's Apprentice is probably the most popular book out there right now for the home baker and with good reason.
But if you want to know more about Peter, and where he started from buy this lovely book. Plus it has some great recipes! The corn bread recipe alone is worth the price!

Not for everyone

Customer Rating:
Just a warning to those getting into bread baking in order to get healthier breads. This is not the place to do that. Much too much emphasis on sugary recipes.
I rarely get rid of a cookbook but I couldn't wait to give this away--to a sugar fan.