I really like the Build Like a Pro books. I find them very informative about subjects I have no clue about. Whether you are a DIY or plan to hire someone, I think the information is a good basis for being able to understand how things should or might be done.
There are some projects that DO show step-by-step instructions with photo's, i.e. Making an Outside Corner when cutting baseboard (pg 59). There are Pro Tips and What Can Go Wrong scattered throughout the book. The format is very easy to follow and there are lots of drawing, illustrations and great photographs.
One of the main reasons I picked up this book is for the section on crown molding. I've seen lots of decorating shows but in the ones that give the most detail, the people seem to have been doing it for ages. I've found that if the DIY show says 2 hours, it probably is going to take me double that because of my lack of experience. The Crown Molding section talks about the various crown styles/profiles, gave Trade Secrets and how to cope with problems like sagging ceilings are wavy walls. Basically, it covered every aspect that I could think of when installing crown.
The only thing this book is missing is a appendix of terms, which would have been helpful to understand terms that are unfamiliar to me as a novice. Some terms might have been covered earlier in the book, but if you are reading just one topic or chapter, you might have missed the explanation. Because of this I am giving it 4.5 stars.
Definitely work purchasing.