Printed on high-quality art paper, this is a celebration of the variety of cheeses that are available today. Cheese is not only good to eat; it is also the product of specific historical, cultural and regional influences. The book looks at its history, visits people who still pursue the traditional craft, and explores the development of cheese-making in monasteries and rural communities as well as on a commercial scale. Illustrated with paintings, mosaics, prints, engravings and photographs of the various regions and their cheeses, the book also discusses cooking with cheese, and its role in national diets and gastronomic cultures. A major section is devoted to each cheese, giving technical details as well as descriptions of characteristics, historical anecdotes and recipes.