Thanks everyone! I think I'll take the advice of trying to find used copies of these books, and hopefully an older printing of Larousse Gastronomique! That way if they aren't suitable for me, I won't have to worry about the cost part so much..
cakerookie, I just recently found a very nice copy of Jacques Pepin's, "A Fench Chef Cooks At Home" soft cover, for one dollar no tax, at my local thrift store!
Can't get better than that eh!!!
