Any good cookbooks?

im thinking of buying a cook book... but not sure what to get.. I want to really get into the culinary arts. I know a little, but I need to know a lot. something that will tell me the science behind cook... like how to but also why. I like shows like...

Alton Brown's good eats.. and have looked at some cook books and really liked jamie olivers home recipies. thanks for your help.

The culinary arts revolve around classical cooking. Most cookbooks are experimental.

If you are looking to learn, I suggest you start where the chefs do:
Professional Cooking for Canadian Chefs, 6th Edition by Wayne Gisslen

(btw, this is the book we use in culinary school when we are training to become chefs)

the perfect ones are going to be by
rachel rea for those quick but good meals
sandra lee love her
and paula dean for that southern homecooking which is amazing

I'd suggest cookbooks by Rachel Ray, Ina Garten (I adore her) and Giada DeLaurentis..