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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Required reading for a begninner baker
Reinhart demystifies the creation of bread in this book. This is more than a cookbook - it includes his personal philosophy, a LOT of background info and then detailed recipes.
I skimmed through the section on his evolution as a baker, simply out of personal interest (or lack thereof). The Background / Basic chapters are especially valuable to people, such as myself, who are new to baking bread.
The Recipes are detailed with lots of useful instructions and ideas to improvise. Would reccommend this book for anyone with an interest in baking, regardless of level of experience. Attractive and informative.
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Speaking as someone that has actually read this book...
I was nearly put off of buying this book by some of the bad reviews I read. (I always read the bad reviews to get a broad picture.) If I hadn't taken the time to check the book out for myself I would have greatly missed out. Please read the following comments that discuss some of the negatives brought out by others and my opinions on the subject.
(This first part was before I read the book.)
I found some of his comments (the reviewr who gave the book a 1) to be interesting and some to be just plain nit picky. If you really want to get an idea of what Nopasho thinks is a good book, check out the reviews on the two books he recommended. It makes me wonder what his standards really are?!?
That being said, I am interested in improving my technique and making better bread. I'd imagine that the best way to do that is to study with a baker. However, since that isn't an option for me, I think I'll try the book and get what I can out of it. If it doesn't work, I'll sell it and try another one.
UPDATE:
I got the book from my local library and I must admit that I am VERY impressed. I have been so captivated by this book that it has been hard to put it down. I almost passed it by because of the bad review and I was utterly disgusted to find that a majority of the complaints listed were r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s!
1- Using crisco in pizza dough - first of all he lists OLIVE OIL, vegetable oil, OR crisco and repeatedly says "olive oil" when describing how to make the dough. The one point Reinhart stresses again and again is that he is trying to make good bread making ACCESSABLE to the home baker. "If you don't have this, you can try this..." type of attitude. He states time and time again that you should try different things to see what YOU like.
2- The problem between weight and volume measurements would be quickly cleared up if people had actually read the discussion on the subject in the book. As Reinhart states weight measurement is always best because volume will vary by the location, brand, etc. So it makes perfect sense that what 1 lb turns out to be in cups would not be the same somewhere else. AS HE CLEARLY STATES, bread is about feeling what is happening, not being exact. If it needs more flour add more flour, etc.
3- Ego - I can't tell you how many times he states what he has learned from others. I never got the feeling of being talked down to or like he has an overinflated image of himself.
4- Instant yeast - As I stated, Reinhart is trying to bring bread making into the home. Given the short shelf life of fresh yeast, I agree with Reinhart that for the majority of us, it just isn't practical. But if you can use the fresh yeast than go ahead!
5- Reinhart doesn't say that he wanted to make the book's title "The Bread Revolution," rather that it was a name he toyed with but decided against because he didn't feel it acurately described what he wanted to get across to people. Doesn't sound like ego to me.
6- Lastly, I don't feel like I was shorted out of recipes by the "white space" and pictures. I found it to be a beautiful book and one I am excited to own.
This is a book I borrowed from the library to test it out. I plan to take it back today and buy a copy. If that doesn't explicitly give my opinion, than nothing will.
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THE BREAD BAKERS BIBLE
I am overwhelmed by this book. It's every bread entusiasts must have book.
Peter Reinhart shares every ounce of knowledge he has encompassed over his career so far with us, the reader.
This book is easy to read and the recipes are easy to follow.From the start the author gives us the history of bread in the world and what flavours and techniques they use.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
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Great book for the serious home bread baker
I'm a relatively new home bread baker and this is the first bread baking book that I purchased. I reviewed and tried several books from our local library before deciding to purchase this one.
I particularly like the Pain a l'Ancienne recipe and the technique for retarding fermentation. This makes an excellent bread relatively easily and efficiently.
There's a good introductory section before you get to the recipes. Lots of great pictures showing the finished bread and techniques.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in serious home bread baking.
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ANYONE CAN MAKE BREAD
GREAT BOOK. MADE SEVERAL LOAVES ALREADY AND THEY ALL TASTED AND LOOKED GREAT!! JUST FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS AND YOU TOO CAN BE A MASTER BREAD MAKER!
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