Primal Cuts

Primal Cuts By Marissa Guggiana, Welcome Books, 2010. Hardcover. $37.50; 287 pages

A meaty celebration of the resurgence of American butchers. Guggiana takes a broad interpretation of the term "butcher" with recipes and profiles of manly butchers, farmers, and chefs, along with a few "female meat mavens." Josh Applestone's Horseradish-Crusted Roast Beef is simple and simply delicious. If you're into pig trotters and beef heart, there's offal, too.

GIVE THIS TO: People who love to cook or eat the whole beast. —Julianna Grimes