Perfect Parties is a comprehensive guide to throwing a successful party, from a small impromptu gathering to a grand formal occasion. Alison Price is a highly experienced professional party organiser and caterer (she created the extravaganza for Sir Elton John"s 50th birthday: he returns the favour by contributing a generous Foreword), so she is fully qualified to advise on this score. The secret, as you might guess, is careful planning and preparation, so it with this that the book opens. Alison Price"s recommendations are detailed and precise and she provides a planning checklist from three months ahead ("Book Venue") to two hours before the event ("Have a bath"). From planning, Price takes us through all the aspects of a party that are susceptible to creative input. Themed parties are explored, choosing a venue, the intricacies of sending invitations and maintaining a guest list, and hiring staff. Separate chapters deal with flowers, candlelight, table settings, "New Ways with Napkins" and similar key topics. There is also a very generous selection of themed menus with recipes and a number of useful cocktails and drinks. Some of her recommendations are frankly only likely to be taken up by the sort of person who would, in all seriousness, stuff a mange- tout(for example, making your own tablecloth and napkins), but in general the book is crammed with vivid and imaginative ideas to give a party an extra level of pleasure and sophistication. It is also amply illustrated. Be advised, though, that the contents page features a strange close-up shot of a raw oyster which may not be for the squeamish. --Robin Davidson