Apples

Rating:
Summary: A Red delicious book: looks great tastes bland
Review: This book is a nice resource for antique apple descriptions, but it doesn't describe particularly many varieties, and the author's lack of expertise in the area shows.

The author is an artist and writer. I have a few other apple-related books I have been reading that were written by professional apple people, and this book is a red delicious compared to the complex, nuanced information found in the other books. The particular thing I find bothersome is the lack of depth of the flavor descriptions. The author is not an expert in apple tasting and its shows. Another way it shows is the varieties selected: too many of them are mcintosh/golden-red-delicious/jonathan hybrids. Also given the huge history behind apples, how can one write a book called "Apples" with no history in it?

The book itself is unusually beautiful and the authors' pictures of the apples are also quite beautiful. So it would be a wonderful light little gift book.

If you want a "real" apple book get "The Book of Apples" by Morgan and Richards, which has a huge amount of history and thousands of variety descriptions.

Rating:
Summary: A real gem!!
Review: This is a gem of a book. Roger Yepsen put a lot of heart and soul into this book and it shows. For a book that makes such a delightful first impression, it really delivers the goods. The exquisite watercolors never grow trite or tiring and the compact and well-researched narrative is surprisingly comprehensive.

Rating:
Summary: Adorable, informative & fascinating
Review: This is an adorable, informative & fascinating book all about apples. The author does a great job of explaining how apple species have diminished, how retailers offer old and waxed apples and how to buy good apples

The best apple varieties for drying, sauce, pie, and cider are listed and the processes of making ciders, applejack & apple brandy are explained. There are even recipes for making apple leathers & apple butter.

A detailed description is included for over 90 varieties of apples. Information includes the apple's origin, flavor, uses, harvesting time, & how well it stores. An elegant watercolor painting is included alongside each description.

A small dictionary & sources for mail order tress are also included. This book makes a nice housewarming or wedding gift. It is a must for any cook serious about apples.

Rating:
Summary: Must have book for the apple lover
Review: This little jewel of a book is the best reference to the unusual "antique" apple varieties that are enjoying a new popularity. Stunning watercolors, history of varieties, and useful descriptions fill the book. Before we buy a tree, we consult "the book" to learn more about each cultivar.

We wish that the author would do an Apples 2 - The Missed Varieties book!

Rating:
Summary: Must have book for the apple lover
Review: This little jewel of a book is the best reference to the unusual "antique" apple varieties that are enjoying a new popularity. Stunning watercolors, history of varieties, and useful descriptions fill the book. Before we buy a tree, we consult "the book" to learn more about each cultivar.

We wish that the author would do an Apples 2 - The Missed Varieties book!

Rating:
Summary: Heritage apples
Review: When I decided to plant some apple trees, I wanted apples I couldn't buy at the local grocery store. Information on antique varieties was hard to find, but this little book was a treasure trove. I kept it beside me as I went through my catalogs, comparing those descriptions to Yepsen's text and beautiful illustrations of both antiques and some modern varieties. Very useful, and a pleasure for the eyes as well. The only improvement I could ask for is that it would cover more apples. Perhaps another volume?

Rating:
Summary: Heritage apples
Review: When I decided to plant some apple trees, I wanted ones I couldn't buy at the local grocery store. Information on antique varieties was hard to find, but this little book was a treasure trove. I kept it beside me as I went through my catalogs, comparing those descriptions to Yepsen's text and beautiful illustrations of both antiques and some modern varieties. Very useful, and a pleasure for the eyes as well. The only improvement I could ask for is that it would cover more apples. Perhaps another volume?

Paula