The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch (1997, Paperback)

There is no doubt in my mind that Susan Cavitch knows everything there is about making soap! I really enjoy the straightforward sections that talk about the joys and perils of making various types of soap. The parts where she goes into all the chemistry and ionic bonds and so forth are way over my head and I find myself daydreaming off to a time many years ago when I took college chemistry twice and failed it both times. I know there are people out there who love to know all this chemistry detail behind making soap, but I just have to keep reassuring myself that my grandmother made soap and she only finished 4th grade. I am a college graduate, but for this soapmaking hobby, I was expecting more of a Betty Crocker approach to making soap--here's the recipe, do this, don't do that. I am rereading the book to see what more I can get out of it, but I haven't made a bar of soap yet.

Don't even think about learning to make soap without this textbook. It has a wealth of ideas, charts, and is full of encyclopedia explanations of the various components of soap. If I lost mine, I'd be lost.

The book arrived in excellent condition. It took over two weeks to arrive once the order was placed. The seller stated it was shipped two days after being purchased but it was received after the holidays.

This book is absolutely great! It is clearly and consisely written, packed full of how and why information. It gives you all the basics for a smaller soap batch and many variations to try. If you want to use different oils then it also gives you the know how to be able to do that. That way you can create your own blends and know what you are doing while you do it.

The focus is definately on why you should use vegetable based oils for your soaps. She makes a good case for the best skin care being a vegetable based regime. I received it yesterday, have never made soap before, but have already completed my first presonalized batch and can't wait to see how it turns out!!

The book is one of the best for a beginner soap maker.It lives up to it's reputation.It is easy to read and understand.It goes all the way from basic to very advanced

Fantastic book. I bought several soap making instructional books and this is by far the best. I love that the author is really out to make the best soaps for the skin and really pushes the envelope with making moisurizing soaps that still sopanify correctly. You need this book is you want to make soap!