Having been in the antiques business for over twenty years -- buying and selling, owning my own antiques store -- I made the assumption that I know something about antiques. I purchased this book before Christmas and decided I was the idiot this book was written for. It is very well written, funny, insightful and clear. The sections were applicable to my needs, and to put it very simply, I have learned a great deal in a very short time. I will keep this book on hand for reference, it purports to be for idiots, but the benefit will be for all levels -- regardless of your expertise, you will find something that you did not know.