American Woman's Home (Applewood Books)

Published in 1869 by the indomitable Beecher sisters, The American Woman's Home is remarkable for both its philosophy and its practicality. A pioneering work of scientific kitchen planning, the book's recommendation for specific work areas, built-in cupboards and shelves, and continuous work surfaces are ideals that, while new at the time, are taken for granted today. The work presupposes a servantless home and teaches the homemaker basic skills on how to cope with such inventions as stoves and refrigerators, as well as providing information on healthful food and drink, care of the sick, and care of the home. While the few recipes included are mainly medicinal, this is an important work of social and food history.