I highly recommend this book as a supplementary material for references as technique guidelines and theory support. In fact, I dont' think anyone can actually learn any sport from any book, however well-written the book may be. Table-tennis is no exception. As is indicated in the book, to learn to play the game, you need to practice. With this book, however, you can correct your weakness, look up for any question you gathered during the practice. The book covers almost all the basic drills in the modern table-tennis game.
The book is divided into chapters. For beginners, I suggest you follow the steps and do the excersies in the end of every chapter. For those who already have some basic knowledge, just check the parts you're confused with. You can easily find your part because the index is very clarified.
This is a book for beginners and intermediate-level players. If you are an advanced player who already developed a mature playing style, I don't think this book will help you. In this case, you should check out other tactic books or tourement vedios.
As to the new 40mm ball games, the new rule doesn't change the basic techniques. Therefore, the book still works. What is changed by the new ball is mostly the equipement and tactics, which is not the main concern of the book.