I love a cookbook that offers a bit of cultural history and information about flavors in an area. This book not only has recipes, it has variations to the recipes. Beyond that, it also has generalizations about preparation and flavor trends in Greek cooking. When armed with these tidbits I feel like I'm educated on a whole new level. I feel like I can cook within the style even when no recipe is around to refer to. I originally borrowed this cookbook, but ended up ordering myself a used copy. It is full of fun new things to make.