Let me start by saying this book had so much potential. As someone diving deep into automotive theory, I was excited to get my hands on it. The content covers a wide range of auto systems operation, and I found the explanations of fundamental concepts quite solid. It's clear the authors know their stuff when it comes to theory.

However, the execution leaves much to be desired. The incomplete diagrams drove me crazy! You'll find numbered components without any keys or explanations - like getting half a puzzle with no picture reference. The blank graphs in Chapter 10 (supposed to show sensor waveforms) were particularly frustrating when trying to understand electronic diagnostics.

On the positive side, the book does serve as decent ASE test prep material if you can look past its flaws. The media references, while sometimes confusing, do provide visual aids that help cement certain concepts. Just don't expect this to be your sole learning resource.

The physical quality is another letdown. My copy arrived looking slightly used (creased cover, minor scuffs), and the print quality isn't what I'd expect for a technical manual at this price point. Typos and grammatical errors pop up more frequently than they should in a professional publication.

Would I recommend it? With reservations. It's useful as supplemental material if you're already taking courses or have other references handy to fill in the gaps. But if you're looking for a comprehensive, polished guide, you might want to keep searching or supplement with online resources as some reviewers suggested.