This was one of the first books I read about sail trim and I nearly gave up the sport on the spot. Conglomerating clippings from the magazine produced a very uneven book, sometimes conflicting, and frequently pitched to people of widely different experience. One chapter would assume years on the water while the next was aimed at newbies. Avoid this. Of the half dozen books on the subject I've read since, North U's sail trim book was easily the best. I'd suggest buying that instead. (And I'm still sailing.)