Having had a stove for some time I thought that I would benefit from this book in that I could make it work more efficiantly. It is quite a good book for that and the author definately knows his stuff but he has turned stove using into a science. The title says it is 'Everything you need to know........' but I would add,"plus a heck of a lot that you don't" If I had read this book before having my stove installed i don't think I would have bothered as it just sounds far too complicated. Even the chapter about lighting a stove was very technical. The precise way the sticks need to be laid and even warming the chimney first for a better draw! I seem to manage just fine by throwing a handful of sticks on top of some scrunched up newspaper and just setting it alight. The section about the different types of wood and how much heat each produces was interesting but most people just buy what they can get hold of and it is usually mixed anyway. There is some useful information for 'first timers' but it is way too technical and, I think, would put many people off.