This is an excellent reference book for those who want to learn American Sign Langauage (ASL). Several useful signs are clearly pictured and it contains tests to review knowledge after each chapter, as well as a handy index. Some of the pictures are difficult to understand as far as directionality is concerned, however, and this book does not contain the proper grammar styles needed to communicate fully in ASL. If used alone, it is fine for teaching basic signs and one could get by, or be understood, by a deaf person who uses ASL to communicate, however, if one wishes to be fluent, I would recommend a grammar companion and, of 'course, nothing beats personal instruction.