Over seventy favorite recipes emerge from intimate profiles of the club members who perfected them—from the accountant and her nearly flawless baguette to the former Iron Ranger who shares the secrets of her grandmother's strudel-like potica. The club's newest member, a book designer who was given a copy of The World of Breads nearly four decades ago, has since transformed the book's anadama recipe into a peppery delight, swapping out molasses for chipotles and butter for bacon fat.

Author Kim Ode demystifies this ancient art with special sections on "Bread Wisdom for Beginners" and "Seasonal Favorites," and club founder Dan "Klecko" McGleno offers a step-by-step guide to starting a bread club in your own hometown. Whether you prefer to bake in solitude or wish to build a community in pursuit of the perfect loaf, this book reveals the true heart of this everyday food.