 The book was the result of several years of research , prompted by Longman , who had published Acton 's Poems . Many of the recipes came from her friends . Modern Cookery quickly became a bestselling work , appearing in several editions and remaining a standard cookery book throughout the rest of the century . The book was immensely influential , establishing the format for modern cookery book writing , by listing the exact ingredients required for each recipe , the time needed , and potential problems that might arise . This was a major departure from previous cookbooks , which were less precise . 
