I do actual research on my family lines so I often seek original documents. This book is a great help showing samples and then their translations. I have some old family records using some of the older style of writing and I'm grateful that the samples in the book have helped me with reading what looked like chicken scratches in the past. I teach some research topics too so this book helps me with some of my class notes. I have suggested that those researchers who want to be able to read some of their early documents obtain this book and others to help them read and understand what is written. To anyone serious about doing good research, you really need to invest in a number of books and other sources--get your own library to be able to reference questions and get good answers.