For most jazz fans this a book to use for reference and to dip into from time to time. With that said, the parts I found most useful were the sections on styles of jazz, history, musical instruments, and the elements of jazz.
To me a huge disappointment was the almost complete absence of reference to, or inclusion, of British jazz. For example there is no mention of Ken Colyer, Chris Barber, Michael Garrick, John Dankworth, Graham Collier, Ian Carr, Norma Winstone, and so on.
I`ld like to know of a history of British jazz to go with this book.Perhaps this old edition I have has been updated recently to include such artists. I hope so. ( )