Dupree October 15, 2008Probably few appreciators of French culture younger than 50 will be familiar with this book, but it deserves their notice as a beautiful compendium of knowledge, culinary and otherwise, about the country -- much of it first-hand. Chamberlain was in turn well loved by Frenchmen who knew him (among the latter, doubtless many chefs). The book is a culinary travelogue, a generous and representative exploration of French food and wine by region, from the ground up to its delectation. Along the way, one is effortlessly acquainted with some pertinent pieces of history, history relevant to whatever is at hand.Chamberlain was both jovial and staid, serious and light-hearted, practical and idealistic. Rather a universal man. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre for service to France as an ambulance driver during WW1 , lived in France during most of the intervening years before WW2, and was awarded the Legion d'honneur for his service in that war. His association with Gourmet Magazine was long and fruitful, leading eventually to the first edition of Boquet de France in 1952. Samuel Chamberlain's numerous drawings, etchings, and photographs illustrating the book (340 indexed in the 1966 edition (which has a somewhat different selection of photos, a third more recipes, and a general updating)) have an architectural solidity combined with a dreamy sensibility that reflects , I think, the French aesthetic of physical beauty and well represents the beauty of the French landscape. Doubtless, some of the scenes are with us now only as history and do not exist outside the pages of the book.This handsomly printed and bound hardcover is suited to its large 7"X10" format. The "66 edition is 670 pages.(I recommend one buy the "52 edition as well, for the different photos). Finally, the picture that Amazon uses to advertise the book is a picture of the title page, not of the cover or spine, both of which make a better invitation to the delights one finds inside. Other Reference Data: Hardcover: 1825 pages (three Volume Set)Publisher: Gourmet Distribution Corp.; First American Edition edition (1952)Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 1.7 inchesASIN: B000OLDO3U (Probably the 3-book set)ASIN: B000OJKWBE ??First Edition: ASIN: B001L4DCJAFirst Edition ISBN:ISBN-10: 0241900735ISBN-13: 978-0241900734