I bought this book as part of my research for an essay in Understanding Asia. I've been Theravadin Buddhist for the last 23 years and thought I knew Theravada and its' history pretty well. Well now I understand it even better due to this well written and researched book. The mistakes made are small one....in the photo with the forest restoration project...they are novices in the photo, not monks. Novices are allowed to dig the earth...which is what the novice in the photo is doing....monks are not. But like I said, the mistakes are small ones.Well worth the purchase price.