I bought this intending to read it prior to getting to Laos. I'm lazy and didn't read it, but did bring it. After being in country for a week, I dug it out of my bag and went through it. I thought the information was well presented, accurate, and had good pictures. But, I had seen a lot of that information already captured in different maps, brochures, museums, etc. during my week in Laos.
Best used as a cultural scene-setter rather than as a practical travel guide. Definitely buy used because it looks and feels like a library 101 kind of book.