Ansel Adam's books are I believe a must for a serious photographer to own and read. But they are a bit dated... When's the last time that you saw Super-XX film or Kodak Azo paper on a your photo dealer's shelves for FS? Other books that very much supplement Adam's books...

photography: CONTROL & CREATIVITY by T.L Bollman and G.E. Dewolfe: I am bias a bit in that I took some of G.E. DeWolfe classes at RIT. His Sheet Film Attenuator construction is totally well worth the effort, and you only have to construct one to use with all the sheet films you will ever use. Doesn't really cover in depth what to do with your results though. Using the attenuator to calibrate both films and papers left out. Good precursor for Gassan's book.

Beyond the Zone System by Phil Davis 4th edition: I think the best book on the Zone system. First edition of the book I found to be a little long winded. 4th edition much better. IMO the one to get if you only have one book covering the Zone System.
ZONE SYSTEM FOR FINE B&W PHOTOGRAPHY by John Schaefer: not worth it IMO.

handbook for contemporary Photography by Arnold Gassan: High point is the "Advanced Control" chapter. I believe that it was possibly the first publication to address sensitometrically testing of films.

A Zone System for all Formats by Joseph Saltzer: Great general overview of everything including darkroom construction, the enlarging lens, print spotting and I could go on and on and on... More of a really great general reference book and not a guide.

THE PRACTICAL ZONE SYSTEM by Chris Johnson: Good but doesn't cover sensitometry. Includes 2 zone system testing methods, but both I find too general for my liking.

THE NEW ZONE SYSTEM MANUAL by Ehite, Zakia, and Lorenz: To me just an updated (1976) version of Minor White's original book. Excellent chapter on sensitometry, "The Graphs of Sensitometry"

ZONE SYSTEM MANUAL by MINOR WHITE. A classic on the subject. If you follow the book and do all the darkroom work that he describes, you will indeed master the Zone System, but it will take you a lot and I mean a really lot of commitment and time. Using Step Tablets and a transmission densitometer will cut your darkroom time down by at least 95%... In the 1970s when I was a student at RIT followed Minor's prodigal... took me 2 semesters to complete.

I acquired all the above books as each one came out so paid list price for them. I bet one could acquire the completer collection, except for photography: CONTROL & CREATIVITY by T.L Bollman and G.E. Dewolfe (because of its limited publication) for under $50.

Comments and additions most welcome and I'm sure would be helpful for other FORUM members

Greg