The World's Best Bartender's Guide by Donald Bain, Joseph Scott (1998, Paperback)

This is the most important modern book on bartending. Some of the bars listed no longer exist (Windows on the World) but the experiences of each bartender, anecdotes, recipes are all of the highest relevance. Unlike most bar books which read like a phone book with numbers you will never call, "World's Best" has only those drinks that people actually order, mixed by the best in the business. Variations on each recipe, histories, and real bar experiences have made this my preferred text for training new bar staff. Take the money you would spend on a bartending class (A waste of money) buy this book and $600 dollars worth of alcohol, invite your friends over for a great party and enjoy yourselves. After ten years in Bar/Restaurant management no other text comes close.