My English auntie had a copy of the Larousse Gastronomie which I read from cover to cover repeatedly from the time I was in sixth grade. I loved that book! Years later someone donated a copy to our church yardsale. Yes, it and the Julia Child first editions came home with me!
I taught myself to cook in college and as a newlywed with The Joy of Cooking. I recommend it as a good basic cookbook for someone just learning to cook. It is a present I frequently give as a wedding shower gift, although I prefer older editions to the latest one.
I’ve got a Larousse, bought soon after I married; and a picture of me holding it, with a big fork in my first attempt at Thanksgiving Turkey. It’s a wonderful book, even just for perusing.
-JT
I like the older editions as well.
The lady who turned out, over the years, to be my best friend in the world made a leftover Turkey casserole from JOC the first time she invited me to her home. Later, I wanted the recipe, but all she could remember was that it originally came from JOC.
I liked it so much I searched high and low for the edition that had that specific recipe, and finally found it in the thrift store. So there are two editions on my shelf, now - that older one, and a a much newer one.
A lot of my favorite, basic recipes have come from JOC.
-JT