I thoroughly enjoy a good change. Change IS good. At least with regards to this revision of the 2nd Edition Player Handbook. If you are an old pro, this book will expand on the information contained in previous versions, clarify some of the old rules, provide a correction or two, and occasionally make a rule modification (which it will clearly point out!). For the beginner, this book is full of information and advice, and is required material for any AD&D (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons) player and/or DM (Dungeon Master/Game Master). This Players Handbook gives you all the rules, as well as some helpful hints, you will need to begin a life time of AD&D adventure with a group of players. It is not a 'How To' book. It is only a Guide, and a very good one at that. This book provides the necessary framework from which you can play endless AD&D adventures. It does not teach you 'how to' role-play, though it will provide some advice in this area, as any good guide should. (Remember, the AD&D game is a product of the mind, not books. Adventures begin and end in the imagination. Guide books only lend some structure through rules and suggestions.) To sum up the good points, this Player Handbook provides all you need as a player in the AD&D game.
There's only one bad point. Too much of the art work is amateur. Some of it is very good, but there are enough sad looking drawings to make you wonder why they were included.
That is the only reason this book gets a 4 star rating, instead of a five.
As other reviews have mentioned, a DM will also require a 'Monstrous Manual' and an 'AD&D Dungeon Master Guide'. I also strongly suggest another supplement, the Dungeon Master Screen/Index. And the Player Handbook isn't needed for the DM if any other player has it. And one final comment, if you need more 'how to' advice for role-playing or writing adventures, which rightfully is not in this book, that information is available on-line for free. Try searching at about.com
AD&D is the greatest game ever created! Get this book and Enjoy the Game for many years!