If you're aiming for a qualification in the archaeological field, or attempting anything in practical excavation or alike, you need this book! It's widely regarded as the last word on the subject, and I haven't found a text to beat it yet. It's very comprehensive, and well explained, with illustrations as well as an abundance of textual information - though not designed as a quick reference. If you're involved with practical archaeology or taking any sort of qualification in archaeology you will need this somewhere along the line. And to reiterate again; it's the most important book on practical archaeology around today, and you'll be missing a huge chunk on understanding the practicalities of archaeology if you haven't read it. It's perhaps not a book for those with just a casual interest in the field, but of interest to the keen amateur.