What are the best books that explain the four Islamic schools of thought?

First, gather the sayings of each madhhab from its accredited books. For the Hanafi madhhab: "Al-Mabsut" and "Bada'i' al-Sana'i'". For the Maliki: "Al-Mudawwana al-Kubra" and "Al-Istidhkar". For the Shafi'i: "Al-Umm" and "Al-Majmu'". And for the Hanbali: "Al-Mughni" and "Kashshaf al-Qina'". Among the comprehensive books covering the four madhahib are: "Al-Ifsah", "Bidayat al-Mujtahid", and "Al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuh". However, the primary reference for any madhhab remains its own books and the books of its scholars.