Coming from near zero it would be hard for me to compare books for quality. However this one hit the spot for me. I needed a good overview. You can not be a live and not know something about Wicca and I have many books that refer to Wicca. However that is like reading biographies vs. autobiographies. Not saying any one is more real than the other.
Scott Cunningham's book was not only well written but easy to follow. There were more than enough references, tables, and appendices. You were moved from what Wicca was not, including magic, to that which it is including the fundamentals of the religion. His center point being that you will never know it by just reading.
He delivers what the book promises. This book is designed for the Solitary Practitioner. And any perceived shortcomings or comparisons to more in-depth or complete books must be weighed against the purpose of this book. He also does a good job of compare and contrast to other religions with great insight.
In his discussion he skirts around, subjects as magnetism, altered-states, hypnoses, and the like. Now these subjects I can relate to and use as a reference point to begin to understand Wicca.
I am not going to rush out and buy a non-Shaker shaped broom. I already have some left over advent candles, and a place in the library for this Book.