Marylanders worship soft-shell, Mainers are loyal to peekytoe, Floridians devour stone crab, Alaskans revel in king crab, and Pacific Northwesterners swear by Dungeness. But the truth is, crab is no longer just a regional dish, or even a seasonal one. Today all of the varieties, and more, are shipped to markets all over the country. And because at least one type of crab is always in season and you can get picked fresh crabmeat, as well as frozen and canned, throughout the year, crab fans never have to go without.

In Crazy for Crab Fred Thompson begins with a comprehensive chapter on the basics of crab varieties and how to cook them, then launches into chapters of delectable recipes. His chapter devoted to the glorious variety of crab cakes includes Fred's Pretty Darn Close to Perfect Crab Cakes, with scallions and bell pepper, as well as the more adventurous Thai Crab Cakes with Chili-Garlic Sauce. The chapter on soft-shell crab includes such preparations as Pan-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs with Warm Tomato and Bacon Vinaigrette, while the chapter on hard-shells features multiple versions of crab boils. There are also chapters on salads, soups, appetizers, brunches and light meals, and casseroles. All are accompanied by mouthwatering photos of finished dishes, pictures of famous crab restaurants from plain to fancy, decorative illustrations, and stories of watermen and crabbers from around the country.