I can’t help but love any cookbook that starts off with the following dedication:

Dedicated To THAT GREAT HOST OF BACHELORS
AND BENEDICTS ALIKE -
who have at one time or another
tried to cook something and
who in the attempt have weak-
ened under a fire of feminine
raillery and sarcasm only to
spoil what under more favor-
able circumstances would have
proved a chef d’osuvre

The Stag Cook Book Written for Men by Men By Carroll Mac Sheridan

Though this volume was written in 1922 and is most definitely dated, it is now and will forever more be one of my favorite tomes of cookery. The commetary and asides are enough to send me into fits of laughter or as a strange juxtaposition, into a deeply contemplative state as I ponder just how the world has changed in the past 86 years.

The recipes, while perhaps not what a modern foodie would find the epitome of culinary delight, are functional and just by looking I can tell you that there are more than a few that I would be happy to serve to friends or family on any occasion. (Of course, with a modern bent on some ingredients.)

Did I mention that it’s free read from Google Books?!?

No?  How horrible of me.

This is a tome that would make my friend Dr. Biggles proud, and I hope he has a chance to look it over. I’m also dedicating this to my good friend Kelly Wright, whom I think will find this a hilarious read.

Thanks also to Hugging the Coast, who brought this wonderful read to my attention.