I'm new to home brewing, and needed a book to explain it all to me in simple terms, without resorting to jargon or assuming prior knowledge. This book does exactly that, guiding you through the history and the science of beer-making up to actual recipes and brew tips in the later chapters.
It starts off slowly without being boring, and introduces new words and concepts bit-by-bit so that at the end of it you know what all the different things are, and could hold your own in a conversation with proper beardy ale drinkers.
Totally recommended for beer or brewing enthusiasts, and the eralier chapters would be a good casual read for anyone interested in the history of beer.