The Barbecue! Bible, by Steven Raichlen (Workman Publishing, $314, www.amazon.com)

FIRST PUBLISHED: 1998.
WHY: It's easy to think of barbecue as a purely American sport, to be played out in backyard arenas on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. But Raichlen's Barbecue! Bible stands out because of its attention to grilling traditions from all over the world, including Turkey, Jamaica, Argentina, and Mexico. Don't worry — you'll still find a recipe for the Great American Hamburger here. Plus, says a food stylist from New York City, the recipes "have thorough explanations and a real-life feeling about them."
TRY THESE FIRST: Beer-Can Chicken, Seekh Kebab (Turkish Sausage Kebabs), Grilled Pineapple Salsa, Churrasco (Nicaraguan-Style Steak).