De re coquinaria vs First Cook Book: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Cookery, Cooking

Cover of De re coquinaria

De re coquinaria Apicius · 1500 ★★★★☆ 3.8 292 pages · ≈ 5 h 24 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of First Cook Book

First Cook Book Angela Wilkes · 1984 ★★★★☆ 3.9 72 pages · ≈ 1 h 20 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.8 vs 3.9 — either is a safe pick by score.
First Cook Book is the quicker read — about 1 hours vs 5 for De re coquinaria.
First Cook Book is the easier read (Moderate), De re coquinaria more demanding (Demanding).

Side by side