To tell the truth, I wasn't expecting much when I first picked up this book. I'm a Woody fan but I thought the encyclopedic format (topics are alphabetized as in an encyclopedia) would be too superficial or unfocused. However, once I started I couldn't put it down. Actually, I did put it down because I have a busy life. But that's why this book was perfect for me. I could read it in "airtight components." I could read a section, get my fill, put it down, and come back to it an hour or day later and dive right in again. I learned a lot about Woody, his movies, major themes, the people he's worked with -- and, most importantly, life in general. I'm particularly interested in the Woodman's ideas about love and relationships (yes, I need the eggs). This book allowed me to review a lot of his movies fast in an overview type of way and discern some of his patterns. In fact, I think rereading it in this way will yield newer and deeper insights each time because the author, a professor, writes with great depth and insight (yet in a very readable and economic style). Although, as I said, I'm a Woody fan I have to admit that there were a number of his works I either didn't understand or didn't even know about. This book gave me an appreciation to see movies I had dismissed for one reason or another. If you're a Woody fan this is a great book to have. In many ways, it transcends Woody by putting his work in the context of modern thought and art. But it's still a great Woody book and one that any thinking fan is going to enjoy.