The big problem with this book is that it was written in 1982, and American sushi culture has had its own evolutionary path since then. The profusion of maki that dominates American sushi isn't here, which is fine, but it also doesn't mention the omnipresent California roll.That said, it's an excellent book, and I have no doubt that with this book and a few months of intensive practice anyone can become a passable sushi chef. The ingredients are easier to find now than they were, and this book also provides a number of forms of sushi that simply don't get seen much in American sushi bars. You will need other references for some of the esoterica, but this book will have you up and running on the basics quickly, and even if you so choose making some very interesting items that you don't see every day.