crafts and hobbies

This book is not about soapmaking.
If you are looking for a resource for learning to make soap, this book is not for you.
If, however, you are looking for a resource on learning how to melt, mold, scent, colour and package soap, this is a pretty decent book.
I was really looking for some good books on the ancient art of soapmaking: creating and controlling the chemical reactions between fats and alkali in order to create that wonderful handcrafted soap that my grandmother knew, made and used. Instead, when I picked up this book, I got an eyeful of information on using someone else's soaps to modify into whatever shape and colours that you want.
That's all well and good... learning to hand-mill soap (that is really what this book is about, hand-milling soap... the process of reshaping and modifying previously-created soap) it a nice art in and of itsself but it is not soapmaking.
If you don't want to really control what your soap is made from but just want to make something pretty, fragrant, or what-have-you, I would recommend this book for you. It has some wonderful ideas for scents, shapes, packaging and such.
If, on the other hand, you want to become an artisan in the realm of soap... learning how to mix different fats in the proper ratios with the proper amount of lye to saponify, scent, colour and shape, and turn out a truly hand-made product, I would recommend that you find some other book. This is not for you.

Having goats I was interested in finding a book that would teach simple soap making techniques including using milk. I also wanted a book that would show natural soaps or soaps that would be healthy for my family and my skin. If you are interested in or make healthy foods you will have the items needed readily at hand. And the book is helpful because it lists where to get some of the ingredients for some of the soaps if your area doesn't carry them. Although essential oils can be found via the Internet as well. There should be one or two soaps (at least) that a person can and will want to make.

Milk-Based Soaps: Making Natural, Skin-Nourishing Soap by Casey Makela is a book I also recommend for those who like myself make homemade soap using milk from my own goats. Milk soap is harder to make but is my favorite soap next to olive oil soap.

This book contains alot of good information on making soaps that keep you from not having to deal with lye or other caustic chemicals. Essential oils are a bit expensive, but hey, who said that soapmaking as a hobby was inexpensive? I see alot of people complaining about not finding some of the ingredients. 100% pure Soap flakes are certainly NOT a detergent and can be found at the "better" soap making supply houses..you just have to take some time and search them out. You can also make soap flakes by grating a vegetable based 100% pure bar of soap, such a Ivory. Voila, instant soap flakes. Also, this book seems to originally been published in Europe, hence the hard to find ingredients in the U.S. When it comes to scents that you can't find, such as field mint, all you do is substitute it with another type of mint that you find pleasing. I applaud the author in the sense that she uses only essential oils and makes colors from natural ingredients. Yes, if you want cheap soaps that are made with disgusting synthetic scents and fake coloring, these things are readily available, but you get what you pay for. I for one, would only want to make pure, natural and organic soaps, as the author does.