This is a wonderful resource for the beginning cook, particularly one who is on a budget.
The book has a very handy glossary at the beginning of common cooking terms, plus a glossary of herbs and spices and what they go well with. There's also tips for stretching a food budget and what kind of cookware is best to buy.
The recipes are submitted from college students all around the country and are arranged by category, with a helpful quick list of main ingredients by recipe so you can tell at a glance whether you have what you need. The recipes are generally pretty quick and simple to throw together, and all the ones I've tried have been very tasty!
All in all, a wonderful resource for the beginning cook--highly recommended.