The ball canning book is the best. I have been canning for years. It is the best easiest to follow book. I use a water bath for some things and pressure canner for others. I don't like meat that has been canned it gets a weird texture. I do can vegetable soup with meat. When I had the 4 kids at home I canned about 400 jars a year. Yard sales are a good source for jars. Check for nicks on the top edge before buying. I got nearly all of my jars at yard sales.