Perfect Gift Cookbook? [moved from General Chowhounding Topics]

[spicedish]

I collect cookbooks, I've got a ton see: http://spicedish.typepad.com/spice_di...

But most are vintage and not super helpful to anyone just learning to cook. I have a friend who it trying to teach himself to cook. He knows how to boil water and broil a steak so he's not a complete beginner... but I want to get him one book that will teach him the basics and just a little bit more. Any suggestions?

[MMRuth]

These threads may give you some ideas:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/455954 & http://www.chowhound.com/topics/463427