List of BBQ Books

[ljh34465]

IMO, the rating of the different books would be quite informative - not sure how it should be set up but it would be nice if those of us that have some of the books could all rate them.

Perhaps a vote like on the throwdowns - how many liked this one best (would have to make sure Dr. BBQ doesn't vote more than once)

Maybe a 1-5 scale for an overall rating but with somewhere to comment on its best aspect, i.e., great stories but lousy recipes (as mentioned above), mainly grilling, mainly smoking, great sauces and marinades, etc..

Just my $0.02

[The BBQ QB]

It is a difficult task to fairly and judiciously rate BBQ books without a bias.

I have 10 of the books on the list and am nowhere near having evaluated any of them fully.

I will say that each has given me some insight into bettering my approach to BBQ, and outdoor cooking as a whole.

It's also very difficult to adhere to a scaled rating system when the voters have not read every book, or, for that matter, tried, and properly cooked most of the recipes.

How can you judge a book a 5 out of 5 if you haven't read (and used) every one? (You can't judge the scale until you know the best and the worst, and you can't do that until you've read them all) Sure you can genericize, but then why bother with the scale?

Why not a recommend/don't recommend vote with a comment(tweet) (144 characters or less) attached to each vote?

That would get the scale out of the way and let voters be specific on why/why not. I can wash through the vote pumpers, simply by seeing if they have something constructive/critical to say to support their position.

That's my $0.00146. (adjusted for inflation, taxation and any other "shun" I've forgotton)

Mike D

[Bigdog]

I like the rating system used by Amazon. You are just saying if you liked the book and why, not comparing it to other books. And I disagree that you have to have read and or used all the recipes in it. Even if I only like or use just one recipe in the book, that alone makes it good. Then the more I use, the more I like it. Or, the degree that I like the information or recipe. Keep it simple is the key. IMHO MMV

[The BBQ QB]

Hey Bigdog,

"And I disagree that you have to have read and or used all the recipes in it. Even if I only like or use just one recipe in the book, that alone makes it good."

I think, maybe I didn't explain myself clearly. It is for exactly the reason above, that I feel a simple yes/no with a comment, is more valuable to a prospective reader, than a scaled rating system.

A comparative scale, would suggest that you have compared the two, or many books objectively and wholly, whareas,

"Recommend: Found a great recipe for a rub, that is fantastic- pg 35"

would be a fairer representation of the voters overall impression of the book and his/her investment in the book itself.

Just my Opinion.

Mike D

[smoken don]

That quite a list. Thanks.

[watg?]

Hey, what about my book? just out (see Brethren Sales & Ventures)
Startin the Fire -George Hensler
It is a how to book on starting a competition BBQ team.

[MilitantSquatter]

Thanks Bryan..

I added this thread to the Q-Talk Roadmap thread.

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by The BBQ QB

Hey Bigdog,

"And I disagree that you have to have read and or used all the recipes in it. Even if I only like or use just one recipe in the book, that alone makes it good."

I think, maybe I didn't explain myself clearly. It is for exactly the reason above, that I feel a simple yes/no with a comment, is more valuable to a prospective reader, than a scaled rating system.

A comparative scale, would suggest that you have compared the two, or many books objectively and wholly, whareas,

"Recommend: Found a great recipe for a rub, that is fantastic- pg 35"

would be a fairer representation of the voters overall impression of the book and his/her investment in the book itself.

Just my Opinion.

Mike D

Mile,
I understand what you are saying, I just don't understand how you take what you say and make it into a form that you can quickly look at and see if it is worth reading more reviews to see if you would buy the book. Further, I feel that if a book has one great recipe in it, that there are probably more because it is a quality book.

Just my .02

[qman]

Originally Posted by drbbq

I don't see any need to go beyond the top five.

Ray, I actually agree with you. But, Five books on my bookshelves does not seem very impressive. Now I have all yours, plus about a 100 lesser bbq books, and 700 other cookbooks.
What am I to do if I eliminate them, fill my shelves with Romance Novels?

Edit: Thanks Pyle's for the list. It is comprehensive. A great resource for seekers of bbq knowledge. Of course this forum is at the top of the list, as always, right?

[jagardn]

This is a good book, no pictures but plenty of good recipes and BBQ tips.
Addicted to BBQ

[SmokinOkie]

Originally Posted by ljh34465

...

Perhaps a vote like on the throwdowns - how many liked this one best (would have to make sure Dr. BBQ doesn't vote more than once)

Maybe a 1-5 scale for an overall rating but with somewhere to comment on its best aspect, i.e., great stories but lousy recipes (as mentioned above), mainly grilling, mainly smoking, great sauces and marinades, etc..

Just my $0.02

Interesting idea. But the voting would be a challenge. My lead to a "book" forum area, so that anyone looking for a title would be able to see results. You know, someone starts a thread title with a book and then people respond to that one.

There are several members that do book reviews, those could easily be referenced within such a thread

there really isn't a "one stop shop" for it, but it might become a big hit for people looking for books.

You could put voting in that thread as "like/don't like" or "I'd buy it again / I'd wouldn't buy it again" something simple

[NeoTrout]

Originally Posted by watg?

Hey, what about my book? just out (see Brethren Sales & Ventures)
Startin the Fire -George Hensler
It is a how to book on starting a competition BBQ team.

OK. I just bought your book. It seems like a subject no one has written extensively on. Good Luck.

[watg?]

Originally Posted by NeoTrout

OK. I just bought your book. It seems like a subject no one has written extensively on. Good Luck.

Thanks!

[The BBQ QB]

Here's 4 others, that are in my collection, that I think are worthy of making the list.....'

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (An American Roadhouse) by John Stage & Nancy Radke

Ted Reader host of the TV Show King of the Q's book, "Hot & Sticky BBQ"

“Walter Jetton's LBJ Barbecue Cook Book."

And while not necessarily a BBQ book, an excellent Dutch oven reference for those inclined to cook on the trail.

By Phillip Morris "Fifty from the Trail: The Best Cowboy Cooking From a Timeless Land"

Mike D

[StarvinMarvins]

Adding one of my favorites -

The Cook’s Illustrated Guide to Grilling and Barbecue

http://www.cooksillustrated.com/book...il.asp?PID=279