Dear All, I had a cheapo subscription to BH&G, which I've let drop.  But in one issue, there was a Cookbook Club (through Book-of-the-Month Club) ad for 4 books for 99cents plus a free gift of the BH&G "Big Plaid" cookbook.  I chose books & sent in the order (no pre-payment involved).  When I got the books, I looked them over & decided to mail them back ("media mail" has replaced "printed matter" at the USPS, but is still cheap), except for keeping the free gift.  AND, I love teh Big Plaid book!  I use it 5x for every time that I settle on usign a recipe from another cookbook.  (This doesn't count the multiple, multiple times that I use my own recipes & some that I've clipped, all ina big notebook that I keep.)

I love my BH&G cookbook. My mom gave it to me 15 years ago and I use it at least once a week. Most of the recipes are amazing and I get many compliments when I take something to a potluck.

I'm glad you got yours inexpensively. A good all-around cookbook like this one is a must for any kitchen. I've purchased a zillion cookbooks over the years but never keep them because they are too specific, like Mexican food or just cookies. They take up too much space in my smallish kitchen, and the BH&G book has everything I need in it. 

 Oops, forgot to add that my DH isn't very adventuresome when it comes to food. Most of these recipes are tried-and-true so I needn't worry if he'll like something or not.

What a great idea, Deb! I had no idea you could keep the cookbook and return the other books! I will check this one out! Thanks for the great tip!

I have three copies of the BH&G Cook Book. My mom gave me one or two older ones, but I also have one with a gold cover. Anyway, the older editions are my favorites because they have more of the recipes in them that I like. They are good cook books though. My favorite is a housekeeping and recipe book given to me by a friend who deals in books. It's called "The Housekeeper Cook Book" It was printed in 1894. This book has everything in it from keeping bees and chickens, to dyeing fiber naturally. It also tells you how to white wash your basement, care for a sick person, clean the house, when to do laundry and how to do it, to just about an old fashioned recipe you could want. I treasure it above all for the things I have learned from it.

kabin:

I have three copies of the BH&G Cook Book. My mom gave me one or two older ones, but I also have one with a gold cover. Anyway, the older editions are my favorites because they have more of the recipes in them that I like.

I have three too--my Mom's, my Nana's, and my Great Nana's!  I use them all the time. I am tickled to hear how you got the big plaid book for free, Deb!  When Russian friends have asked me what is American cooking, I always point to my cookbooks!  It's just good plain cooking but there are some fancier things if need be.

Yes, Amy, reading the fine print sometimes helps!

Argh! I tried going online the Book Of The Month Club to try to find this offer; however, it doesn't appear to be valid (unless I missed something, which is most likely!)...   :(

 Oh well, will keep trying and maybe I can get it in the future.

It is a speccial subdivision of the BOMC called The Cookbook Club.  They only have the BH&G cookbook offer through advertising in teh BH&G magazine.  Check out various issues in teh Library & ask permission to tear out the reply card if you can find the deal again -- they might have substituted a new offer by now.

Thanks for letting me know! No wonder I had so much trouble finding it online! I will definitely try the library! Thanks again!