Steve Sando founder of Rancho Gordo, an heirloom bean company in Napa, CA, offers a colorful guide to fifty of his favorite varieties. From the creamy texture of the solid white Alubia Criolla, a runner bean, to the way the small yellow zolofino, a staple in Italy, complements a fine Tuscan olive oil, Sando details the attributes of each in one-page profiles with facing color photos. Also included are an introduction to bean botany, discussion of the importance of conserving heirloom varieties, growing tips, several recipes, and a list of sources of heirloom beans and seeds. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)