For anyone needing an introduction into COBOL or as in my case, a review of something that they learned years ago then this book is just the ticket. Learning programming from a book is bad enough and learning from a bad book is even worse but Hubbell's book gets you up and running in short order. The compiler that comes on the CD is a tremendous aid and I installed in on a system running Windows 98 with no problems. Once you understand that COBOL programs need to be compiled, linked and then executed you should be off and running. Chapters one and two might need to be read with pen in hand but after you compile your first program you will see actual real world errors. There is also a lot of 3rd party software on the CD that I havent even looked at yet. The chapters are loaded with information but the reading is fairly straight forward. All in all, a very good buy.