This book has gorgeous examples of very detailed knotting work, mostly Chinese but a couple Japanese and Korean works. For the simpler knots it has diagrams of the layering and formation of the cord which might be a bit difficult to beginners. If so I suggest getting Lydia Chen's other knotting book, Chinese Knotting: Creative Designs that are Easy and Fun! which has much more detailed and superbeginner-friendly guides to each of the smaller knots. That book also has an introduction to set-up methods (pins on a surface to hold the cord, knots in place).
However, I do think that if you perhaps have an eye for detail and carefully look at the layering of cords in the diagrams you could figure these out. Keep in mind though, that the later more super-detailed (very gorgeous) designs in the book only have text descriptions of how they can be made.
"The Complete Book of Knotting" does have a more full spectrum of knots.. I feel that it encourages and gives advice for the reader to make their own designs after mastering/getting used to the large vocabulary of the other knots. It also gives a more historical introduction to knots in Chinese history.
All in all I really recommend anyone seriously going to take on this craft to purchase both books. For super beginners, definitely start with the Chinese Knotting: Creative Designs that are Easy and Fun! book. For craft-minded people who only want one book , perhaps you can just get this book.