"Wynne's book which ranges from apple cider to apples as a remedy for breast cancer, will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about that ubiquitous and most versatile of fruits. The granddaddy of them all was probably the lowly crab apple of the Caucasus. In ancient times the apple was often confused with the quince or the pomegranate but by Greek and Roman days it was carefully cultivated in orchards and had attained an important place in mythology. As the fruit of love it was dear to Aphrodite and sacred to the sun god, Apollo. Apples frequently figured in lovers' trysts. But as far as that apple in the Garden of Eden goes, it was apocryphal, probably dating from the 15th century. From folklore and mythology Wynne turns to examining the more popular varieties cultivated in the U.S. today. He grades twenty according to color, texture (including those best suited for cooking) and taste. And if your local market sells only Golden Delicious and McIntosh, you are being cheated of some of the very best. In conclusion Wynne provides recipes, most adapted from cookbooks dating back as far as the 15th century. And you might set the kids to bobbing for apples next Halloween. A bountiful fruit, a bounteous book." --Publisher description.