I have worked my way through this book and found it excellent. Her first cookie book called Book of Great Cookies is also good. Another great book is Rose's Christmas Cookies by Rose Levy Beranbaum. It is devoted to Christmas cookies but there are alot of recipes you could make year round. Before we get started on recipes though, there are a few things to go over related to cookie making.
Cookie comes the the Dutch word koekje, which means small cake.
In England cookies are called biscuits. Cookies are used when referring to bar cookies, refrigerator cookies, drop cookies, petit fours, biscotti, piped cookies, rolled cookies, etc. The color, shape, size, and texture of cookies can vary greatly which is one of the reasons why they are so popular. There is something for everyone. Over the years I have done alot of cookie trays for people, parties, school functions, etc.