Typically these technical how-to books are badly written and rushed to print and I found this one to be no exception. Although it offers some helpful hints not found in other Excel guides, it is rather wordy and vague in places. Some of the sample formulas simply do not work or else are not explained fully in context. Added to this, the accompanying CD skimps on the first four chapters, making it impossible to follow along on some the exercises the author provides. In some cases, he doesn't even provide a sample table. I went out and bought a copy of Microsoft's Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling and find this to be better written, much more comprehensive, and easier on the wallet.