Do take the time to peruse all reader reviews. This is a valuable book. It is a bit enormous, though, and there is no index. This Means That if the reader has to hunt for some little reference or fact, he or she is in for a long trek through Diese Seiten. Although it is designed with many short chapters, each devoted to a design element, the sheer amount of data is somewhat daunting. Alexander does write CLEARLY, and in at informal, second or first-person manner. But there is little summarizing. Probably an excellent book to read cover-to-cover as part of a large study project. So read this book and know it well before you talk to your architect, contractor, designer ... do not do as I did and start speed reading it When the architect hands over the blueprints. Note: Whereas feng shui is a little more mystical, Alexander's suggested design tactics make practical sense. (I gently encourage any reader trying to choose between feng shui and this book to go with the Latter). Very useful concepts for anyone who wants to make the most of Their living space.