Great manual for instruction and review for the home or commercial barista.
Positive Product Points
Appropriate chapter ordering. Logical instruction and chapter objectives. Good 'How-To' guides for each section. Well written.
Negative Product Points
After lengthy consideration, I can't really find a fault with the book. If you consider the objectives and target market for the book, I think it is a strong resource for commercial and home baristas.
Detailed Commentary
I received this book when I bought my Unico Splendor & Macap grinder (John Doyle & I contend that he sold me the book for about $2000 and he threw in the espresso machine for free).
The book is targeted at the commercial barista, but I found that much of the instruction could be applied to the home barista, particularly one with a suitable machine (the so-called 'pro-sumer' machine).
The focus on maintenance and cleanliness should be applauded, as it would have been easy to just write a book about extractions and milk texturing with a throw-away line of 'don't forget to clean the machine and grinder regularly'.
I often refer to the book, particularly the trouble-shooting guide, when I find I need to modify any part of my techinique.
Overall, a very good manual to have handy. I obviously write from a home-barista's point of view, but I would imagine that, in a commercial environment, the structure and layout would be very beneficial.
