As a brief "masterclass", Ken Howards's book is useful as a simple demonstration. However, Howard, is one of those watercolorists who do not exploit the natural white of the paper (the "classic" and best technique), preferring instead to "touch up" finished paintings with chinese white. Thus, some of his pictures have a pasty look that is closer to gouache than to watercolor.
Also, the book is relatively short, so it was frustrating to find that many pages were devoted, not to Howard's watercolors, but to oil and mixed media paintings. The text seems like a direct transcription of the video class which is also available. Hence, the conversational style seems misplaced in a text book. For those looking to be see watercolor pictures of Venice, there are many better books out there. That being said, there is always something to be learned from other painters so I've given it a few stars.