March 23, 2009 - 10:16pm
Bernard Clayton book
I just got a new catalog from Daedalus Books and they are offering "Bernard Clayton's New Complete Book Of Breads, Soups and Stews" for $9.98. Regular price $59.99. I have the very old version of "The Complete Book Of Breads" published in 1973 and wonder whether the newer one is much improved? I seem to remember some members speaking highly of it, but not the "chunky omnibus" with two books in one. I would be glad of any comments, for or against. I doubt my library could get a copy fast enough for me to check it out before buying, and I hate to pass up a great deal if the book is outstanding. Oh, I REALLY need another bread book! Thanks for any help, A.
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There's gonna be a whole slew of book coming out later this year - Reinhart, Amy Scherber, Lahey, one more by Ciril Hitz, so keep in mind that you may want to get some other books pretty soon - at least one of them bound to be pretty good. I, personally, will probably get at two of them. That being said I've seen several editions of Clayton books, often at very attractive prices, but they all seem similar, if not identical, and, frankly, quite outdated.
I have the updated version of his New Complete Book of Bread, his Small Breads, and his Breads of France, and I use the first one fairly often. I find his recipes well-written and clear, and the Complete Book has some very exciting and fun-to-make recipes. I would encourage anyone interested in bread-making to get hold of a copy one way or another.
Many thanks, suave and PaddyL for the prompt responses. I inherited the old version of The Complete Book of Breads from a friend's mother and it came with many of her notes on recipes she had tried. My first ever bread was his Cuban bread with 4 packages of yeast for 2 plump loaves! I like to think I have come a long way since then but I am still fond of the book, so I'm inclined to buy the updated one, A.