I was a bookbinder (hobby) decades ago. I learned from the best but I thought I'd forgotten a lot. I love this book, it has numbered and illustrated steps and is very clear. There is a wide array of things to make. I don't want bookbinding history. I want a refresher course in technique. That is what this is for me. I almost did not buy this book due to a long review on here advising people not to. I'm glad I went ahead and purchased it. It really is a great book. What I miss the most are all of the little tricks that you never really pick up in a book but from a well-experienced bookbinder.