I was never that big a fan of the Joy of Cooking. Yes, yes - I turned to it pretty regularly to answer questions in the days before the internet, but it was just always there. Then I read this book and it made me start collecting the different editions and some of Rombauer's other books. A well-written biography that doesn't pander to anybody. ( )

The Story of the Women who gave America the "Joy of Cooking". Bittersweeet, erudite, and intricate biography of Irma Rombauer and Marion Rombauer Becker. ( )