The starting-point for this study of messer Bernardo, father of the statesman and humanist Niccolo Machiavelli, is the diary he wrote over a period of thirteen years (1474-1487). Drawing upon many further sources, including Bernardo s will, tax records and genealogies, the first in-depth investigation of the libro di ricordi reconstructs a panorama of everyday life during a fascinating period of the history of Florence. Topics explored include Machiavelli family history, household economy, wedding rites and Bernardo s interest in books and printing. This study is invaluable for an...

Homemade preserves are delicious, easy to make and a delight for the whole family. They are increasingly popular today, with the current accent on real foods, the concern about the origin of what we eat and what has gone in it.

This is a box set of cookbooks: 400 fantastic dishes for the slow cooker, oven or stove top, shown step-by-step in 1700 photographs.

A guide to making the most of your slow cooker, with over 200 recipes ranging from classic family meals to sophisticated dinners and modern creations. The slow cooker is ideal for fuss-free, one-pot meals, and cooks gently so that delicate foods like fish and fruit retain their texture.

Suitable for anyone who loves baking cookies, this title helps you make and bake over 100 cookies, biscuits and bars with 450 step-by-step photographs. It includes an introduction to equipment, ingredients and essential techniques for making cookies, together with ideas for decorating, storing and presentation, and packaging for gifts.

This is the complete guide to successful pastry making, with 135 delicious recipes and all the essential information you need to make perfect pastry every time. It includes recipes for all the types of pastry, from shortcrust and choux to puff, strudel, hot-water crust and filo. It offers practical advice on preparing a range of tasty fillings, and recipes for great pie glazes and sauces.

Features a range of classic and contemporary recipes, including seafood chowder, Boston baked beans, steak and kidney pie, moussaka, special fish pie, Vermont baked maple custards and chocolate cheesecake brownies. This title includes slow cooker recipes for soups, casseroles, curries and rich, satisfying puddings.

A cookbook that is dedicated to exploring coffee with new and exciting recipes for all occasions, from iced delights, luxurious tortes and melt-in-the-mouth pies and pastries, to satisfying and more-ish biscuits and breads. From simple sponges to tempting tarts and velvety cheesecakes, it includes desserts to rival any professional confection.

Slow cookers and crockpots take the pressure out of mealtimes. This title includes a collection of slow-cooked recipes for everyday meals: soups, terrines, bakes, braises, stews, casseroles, hot-pots, pasta and rice dishes, and even puddings and preserves.

Everyone loves the smell of freshly baked cookies, and this book contains over 150 wonderful recipes from all over the world.