As someone who recently got an Amazon Echo, I was excited to dive into this user guide. The book does a decent job explaining basic functionalities like setting up your device and simple voice commands. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that most of this info is readily available online for free.

What surprised me was discovering the importance of syntax when talking to Alexa. The guide mentions how rearranging keywords or adding adjectives can drastically change results. For example, saying 'Play louder music' vs. 'Music, play louder' actually yields different responses! This little nugget saved me from many frustrating moments.

The section about user profiles was genuinely helpful. My wife and I now have separate profiles with customized news preferences and shopping lists - she gets celebrity updates while I stick to financial news. The guide explains how to smoothly switch between profiles, something I wouldn't have figured out easily on my own.

That said, the book falls short in many areas. At just 37 pages (with noticeable typos), it feels more like a stretched blog post than a comprehensive guide. Advanced users will find little value here, as it lacks deeper insights or hidden features that would justify the purchase.

While not completely useless, I'd recommend this only to absolute beginners who prefer physical guides over online research. Even then, you might want to wait for a more polished edition with additional content.