i really enjoy this book, yes there's lots of historical information but that serves to explain the origins of the cards and thereby give a reason for the images on the cards and thus their meaning. Lots of analysing of the actual images, for example the sun card contains a wall in the background which acts as a barrier, so stay behind the wall and the sun acts as the giver of life, but go beyond the wall and like icarus you'll get burnt, so the sun card is very positive but also cautions for the need for self-restraint and not taking things for granted. This is just one detail of the sun card which is examined.It also points out that the horse ridden by the child is the same horse found on the Death card and why the colour red appears on the card. I find this in-depth look at the images very useful and interesting. Oh and the tarot is EVERYTHING to do with meditation and divination and NOTHING to do with fortune telling.