I gave it 3 stars only if you are a total beginner to barbecue. If you are just starting out and need some advice, this is not a bad book. But if you are experienced in cooking barbecue, then I would pass on this book. If you have never barbecued in your life and are just getting started, then this would be a nice book to have. The recipes are very good, simple, and easy to follow. But for folks like myself who have been barbecuing for a while, then this is definitely not the book for you. Folks like us need more in-depth books which take a deep dive into the art of barbecue. But this would not be the first or even fourth book I would buy. I suggest Project Smoke and any book by Jeff Phillips. ( )