I totally agree MarkJ.
I?ve been a little perturbed by the sometimes scathing comments made about Pat Chapman and his books on this site.
What is so easy to forget is that Pat had the intuition to do what he did way before anyone else even thought about doing it?.AND he made it happen! Pat started ?The Curry Club?, and published his first books, way back in 1982!

I have used Pat?s books extensively over the years (what realistic alternatives have there really been in that time?) and I have learnt a tremendous amount from them. I have found that they contain many good recipes, tips and techniques (granted there are one or two more dubious ones too!) and that his books are always informative and interesting.
Of the seven of Pat?s curry cooking books that I have, I would recommend ?Pat Chapman?s Curry Bible? (which is beautifully illustrated and laid out) and his ?Balti Curry Cookbook? (which contains a very different, but very effective, curry base recipe) as his best.
I take my hat off to the man and begrudge him none of his fame and fortune?.I just wish that I'd had the intuition and drive to do what he did instead of him! :
