The problem with this Julie & Julia-esque menu planning system is that my life doesn't revolve around cooking, messing up different recipes every day and scouring the ends of the grocery store to find things like apricot nectar or mock turtle soup. Even though that would be cool.
The other problem is that I've got a whole pantry of potatoes, pears, squash, and other home-canned goods. Not to mention a freezer full of chicken, venison, strawberries, corn, and other home-grown vegetables. Shouldn't my daily menus revolve around those items? Why would I buy grapefruit when I've got apples, or get a Danish coffee ring at the bakery when I'm perfectly capable of making my own (or even something less stellar, but just as sugary)?
That being said, I commend the authors of this book for their mammoth work. Each menu is beautifully crafted with several different items (not just "pizza" like some people's menus) for every meal. Each meal is well-balanced for optimum nutrition by 1940 standards. Although- dessert almost every night of the week? Is that balanced?
Unfortunately I cannot find this cookbook for sale online, but I do know of another menu plan that is easier, simpler, a quick read, and includes exactly ONE dessert recipe for the expanding of your waistline.