This is about hosting for the prepared, not the faint-hearted. William Yeoward's "The Perfect Host: Your Entertaining Planner" doesn't cover such events as having the pals over for chips and salsa and the big game on TV. 

  "The Perfect Host" is about dining, etiquette, proper table settings, party or dinner invitations, crystal and china, and everything else to put on a somewhat fancier dinner party than most of us would have. 

 Brought together in five main sections: etiquette, table settings, special occasions, recipes and entertainment records, the book's main goal is to get a host organized and informed about the proper way to throw a party. There's a definite British tone to the book (Who else mentions getting invitations in the morning post?), which lends a sense of classiness to the entire project.

Yeoward's expertise is putting togehter collections for homes; table settings are his specialty, and it shows in this book. A great deal of care goes into selecting just the right china, the crystal and glassware, cutlery, candlelight, tablecloths, napkins, flowers and placecards. 

For special occasions, he offers ideas for informal lunches, suppers, breakfasts and various holidays, such as a Mother's day lunch or a contemporary or country Christmas, or Valentine's Day or a birthday tea.

For these special occasions, Yeoward also provides recipes for appetizers, entrees, accompaniments, desserts and cocktails, and pairings of food and wine.

Some of the recipes listed: lamb navarin, roasted salmon in prosciutto, grape and lemon mascarpone tart and roast pears with sweet wine and honey.

Many of these general ideas are beyond the reach or too complicated for ordinary folks but can be adapted for more practical but special moments. 

The displays are what you'd expect: beautiful, well lit and colorful, and photos can be found on every page.

The book has a spiral binding, tabs indicating each chapter and pockets at the end of each to hold notes.

People looking for new ideas for their next party or just want to peruse a collection of styles and to see how others live.

Recommended: Yes