For a book that states clearly up front that it is not an instruction manual for a beginner, but a tool for the teacher to use for greater understanding...it comes off as a very useful instruction manual. The pictures are clear and enough steps are shown and explained that the moves are easily understood. I bought this to supplement my training, and it works on a couple levels. First, it explains what is happening within the body during the different types of moves. Second, it gives clear examples, by body part/location, of more locks than I'll ever remember. Third, it also shows how to escape from the moves.
I use this as a reference to get ideas...to then try with an actual partner.