This book teaches through example - which is the necessary way to learn! I think this is the most helpful book you can buy - although you may want a standard textbook for deeper explanations about grammar (or find some of the great websites that do the same thing). I do find it ridiculous, though, that the used copies of this book are >150% more expensive on Amazon than the new copies in Japan (though part of this is of course due to the current low yen).