This is a beautiful book to look through. As a practical guide, however,
it didn't really offer much that I could use. I have found it very difficult to locate a good number of the cheeses described in the book. So, while it was fun to read about international cheeses and the history of cheeses, I have not been able to actually try them, which I thought would be the point of the book.
Living in the Midwest, I am well aware that the nearby state of Wisconsin is the biggest producer of cheeses in the U.S. and I expected that region to be well represented in the book. Several cheesemakers there have won international contests, in the cheddar category as well as several others, and yet I found only one reference to a Wisconsin cheesemaker.
Favorite cheeses, Havarti and Brick, were not even mentioned in the book. Perhaps I need to find a cheese guide that focuses more on the readily available types found throughout the country.

Janet Fletcher's "Cheese & Wine," is a decent compendium of the major Western European and American cheeses of the world but is somewhat lacking in basic information to make this is a must-buy. For starters, it is disappointing that only (approximately) half of the 70 cheeses listed in the book are accompained by photographic images. For a book that purports itself to be a good starting point for cheese novices this lack of visual information is a serious mis-cue. Another point that was disappointing was the lack of any pricing info on the assortment of cheeses. Even the most cursory inclusion of the general pricing for each item would have been greatly welcome. That being said the photos that are included are all spectacular and it goes without saying that the overall construction and layout of this tome is extremely well-done and very handsome throughout.

This book has been instrumental in my personal mission to teach myself more about cheese! From the where and how it's developed to wine pairings, to ideas on putting together successful cheese plates, it's a must have for any at home cheesemonger!