Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I was a big fan of America's test kitchen -- the TV show, the other books, and the magazines. I like their philosophy, style, and content. I've gotten more useful tips from them than from any other source. But my experience with this book has soured our relationship. The contents of the book -- recipes, ingredient suggestions, product recommendations and cooking advice -- are good, straightforward, and practical but my book is defective. It was poorly made. The first time I used it, the rings in the binder separated from the binder. Now, it's virtually useless. I've sent e-m's to America's test kitchen, but they don't answer. So, I consider it to be a waste of money. If you read the reviews here, you will see that others have gotten damaged goods. Out of 50 reviews, four have complained about defects in the production of the book. If one out of 12 books is defective, America's Test Kitchen has a quality control problem and they're not solving it or taking responsibility for it. It's a good book, but my advice is not to buy it unless you thoroughly inspect it first. That would rule out buying it from Amazon. If you buy it in a store, beware: It is wrapped in shrink wrap. Open the shrink wrap first, pull on the binder and MAKE SURE that it is well made. You really don't want to spend this kind of money for a book you can't use. And, to America's Test Kitchen I say, shoddy merchandise is not the recipe for success. You should be ashamed of yourselves for not standing behind your products. Why don't you test your own products before you sell them?