Cookies

Single mother Maggie McCreath couldn't decide which was worse: the fact that her only son (not yet twenty-one) was off to war in Iraq for the second time or the fact that they had only five days to prepare. Even more frightening, she knew that he would be part of the Surge and, as a paratrooper in the 82nd Division of the Army, the tip of the Spear. What she did not know—what she couldn't even bear to consider—was how this deployment would end, both for her son and for his brothers in arms, whom she had come to know and love as her own. So she turned to the one pastime that had always brought her solace: baking.

More than 75 favorite Christmas cookies from around the world will keep you making memories through many happy holiday seasons. This special field guide format gives you quick reference to the details of each cookie "species," including its Habitat (country of origin), Field Notes (helpful information), Lifespan (how long it will keep), and Related Species (recipe variations). You will also see at a glance which cookies are especially fun to make with kids and which are quick to prepare, which freeze well and ship well, and much more. And there are even creative tips on hosting a Christmas cookie decorating party or a cookie swap!