The Book of Bread

by Judith Jones

" The Book of Bread . . . is a treasure. Written by two of the best-known food authorities in the U.S., the book makes the baking of bread a true labor of love."-- San Francisco Chronicle

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Judith B. Jones retired as senior editor and vice president at Knopf in 2011. In 1950 she rescued The Diary of Anne Frank from the reject pile. In 1960, she championed a cookbook no other publisher would touch, named it Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and became Julia Child's editor from then on. She ushered all of John Updike's books into print, including the posthumous titles, and edited many other important works both culinary and literary.

Jones has written a number of cookbooks herself, as well as a cookbook/memoir, The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food. Raised in New England, she lived in New York City and summered in Northern Vermont, where she also raised grass-fed cattle on the Bryn Teg farm.

Her husband and collaborator Evan Jones died in 1996. The couple had no children.

Jones joined Knopf in 1957 as an assistant to Blanche Knopf and editor working mainly on translations of French writers such as Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre. Before that she worked for Doubleday, first in New York and then in Paris, where she read and recommended The Diary of Anne Frank, pulling it out of the rejection pile.

Major culinary authors Jones has brought into print include Lidia Bastianich, James Beard, Julia Child, Marion Cunningham, Rosie Daley, Edward Giobbi, Marcella Hazan, Madhur Jaffrey, Edna Lewis, Joan Nathan, Scott Peacock, Jacques Pépin, Claudia Roden, and Nina Simonds. The 18-book Knopf Cooks American series was Jones' creation. She is also the longtime editor of John Updike, Anne Tyler, John Hersey, Elizabeth Bowen, Peter Taylor and William Maxwell.

Jones wrote three books with her husband Evan, and has written two on her own since his death, one on cooking for one person, as well as a memoir of her life and food.

Jones has contributed to Vogue, Saveur, and Gourmet magazines. In 2006, she was awarded the James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was portrayed by American actress Erin Dilly in the 2009 film, Julie & Julia.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Nants]

Excellent book. Great information and great recipes. Will be using time and time again!

[Ruth Bogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have purchased (or been gifted) many bread baking books over the course of my baking 'career'. Several years ago, I de-accessioned a number of the ephemeral, uninspiring and repetitious ones, keeping only those that I especially enjoyed or that seemed to have literary and/or culinary value. For some reason, I hung onto this book by Evan and Judith Jones. At the time, I did not know Judith Jones. Now, thanks to the tv series 'Julia', I do, and am delighted I have her bread book on my shelf.
'The Book of Bread' sits somewhere in the middle, chronologically, of my small, but select bread collection. I revisited it, not hunting for recipes, but wanting to remind myself how much has changed in the world of home baking since I attempted my first yeast-raised loaf in the early 70's. Many of the recipes are the creations of two sophisticated foodies experimenting with a pantry-full of additions to basic, straight method dough, but there are forays into French bread, sourdough and breads from around the world. Even if I don't tap the recipes, I will continue to consult with the Joneses.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some bizarre reason my brother brought this book home. I remember the James Earl Jones style reverence with which we said the title "THE BOOK OF BREAD." This went on for a couple weeks and then it went into a cabinet for the next ten years.

I dug it out many years ago and it has become my go to bread book. The recipes are simple and directions are easy to read. It's rather comforting to read a recipe. Parker house rolls--easy! Pizza dough--a hoot to make with friends! Bagels--Oy Vey! I mean, this woman taught me to make baguette. I have an unhealthy allegience.

Oh and everytime I take it out I say, "THE BOOK OF BREAD"

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been relying on this book in my recent excursions into bread making, and every recipe I have tried (two different whole wheat bread recipes, Earl Grey rolls, saffron bread, and Italian bread, etc.) has been scrumptious.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book cover to cover and learned how to appreciate and love the art of making bread.

[Ginger Heskett]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14359471