Though the recipe range is vast, it must be said that American readers, anxious to cook this authentic fare, will encounter problems. Translating a cookbook from one language to another requires cultural recasting as well as word substitution, and in this the book's editors have been lax. The problems include non-idiomatic usages, for example, calling for "pans" when "pots" is needed; awkward conversions from the metric system, resulting in requirements like eleven ounces of zite; and the inclusion of ingredients like cavolo nero (Tuscan cabbage), tope (a Mediterranean fish), and pancetta copatta (ham-stuffed pancetta) that are unavailable here and for which no alternatives are suggested. In addition, the recipes themselves are often insufficiently specific or detailed--even seasoned bakers will pause before cake recipes that don't specify pan size--and can also lack yields. Space considerations have also meant printing recipes in single, one-column paragraphs, which can make place-finding while cooking difficult, and there are typos and other goofs (one recipe for four specifies six cups of sliced scallions; another requires that a marinade be "stirred frequently for five to twelve hours").

All this said, many cooks--casual and serious alike--as well as cookbook collectors, will want The silver Spoon. It's an essential document of the Italian table and as such a classic. Indeed, it would be hard to imagine a complete cookbook library without the book--a welcome evocation of a much-beloved repertoire by those who know it best. --Arthur Boehm

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Featuring over 2,000 recipes among its 1,200-plus pages, it's easy to see why this Italian version of The Joy of Cooking, billed as "the bible of authentic Italian cooking," is a popular wedding gift. Newly updated and translated into English for the first time, the book contains recipes for everything from basic sauces and marinades to salads, game, fish and baked goods, with each section color-coded for easy browsing. Recipes emphasize fresh ingredients and are to-the-point, typically summed up in a paragraph sans photo illustrations. Those who know their way around a kitchen will appreciate the brevity, but a novice might encounter some frustration when making pasta dishes featuring homemade gnocchi or orecchiette without a more in-depth description or the aid of photos. Almost all of the ingredients called for can be found in a typical supermarket, though more exotic dishes such as Eel with Savoy Cabbage, Woodcock with Truffle, or Calf's Head Salad will require some planning. Globe-trotting gourmands will appreciate the menu and "signature dish" contributions by famous Italian chefs that round out the book. The most exhaustive Italian cookbook in recent memory, this volume offers something for every cook, regardless of their skill level, and deserves to be a fixture in American kitchens.
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By the author of the best-selling teen Witch and mother of four teen Witches A jam-packed learning and resource guide for serious young Witches

All categories are discussed in modern terms and their associated historical roots Includes endnotes and footnotes that cite sources or add clarification A training companion to teen Witch and To Ride a silver Broomstick

About The Author
Best known for her down-to-earth writing style, Silver's RavenWolf publicly entered the magickal community in the early 80's with a chapbook style newsletter. Her innovative, practical ideas on religion and magick gave rise to her popularity in the early '90's among grassroots Pagan publishers. From progressive considerations in publishing to her staunch support on discrimination issues, silver concentrated her attention on assisting newcomers in Craft society, thereby gaining the recognition of her peers.

In 1990, Llewellyn World Wide contracted her manuscript entitled "To Ride A silver Broomstick", rocketing silver from "that Witch in Pennsylvania" to world wide distribution. Today, her books can be read in English, Czech, and Spanish, with copies circulating the globe.

With her first book release, TO RIDE A silver BROOMSTICK, silver began a journey that has taken her across the United States and to audiences of thousands. Her books have become a standard reference for persons studying Witchcraft, including use in the study of Witchcraft in colleges and Universities. She is a favorite guest on media talk shows and grants hundreds of interviews every year to broadcast, magazine and newspapers across the United States.