I am ordering this book because the copy I was given in 1993 is falling apart! It's the first book I turn to for good, reliable, imaginative but not elaborate dishes. When I want to concoct a delicious dish for friends on Friday night, after work, after squeezing in Sainsburys, after putting the kids to bed......this book's my bible. Many of my husband's favourites came from this book - Chicken with lemon and sage, Chicken with spicey tomato sauce, smoked mackerel pate and lots of other gems. If you like Delia, Katie Stewart, Josceline Dimbleby, and (bless her) Marguerite Patten, and aspire to Gary Rhodes, Jamie Oliver etc... (but only rarely have the time - and let's face it who ever really orders sausage skins in advance from their local butcher to make - probably delicious - home made steak and kidney sausages) then this will sit very happily on your shelf.