The book has been well laid out, in a handy A-Z format, also cross-referenced, indexed, and illustrated with three hundred examples of tattoo line art. Although the images themselves are not particularly useful towards 'solid' images to be picked for an actual tattoo, either for the consumer or tattooist - they are subtle enough to get a general idea of the design they are representing. And with the added bonus of being able to study this in your own home, it can even help some to feel more confident when they walk into their chosen tattoo studio - having more knowledge and a better idea about the tattoo they are about to choose from the wall.
I bought this book approximately three years ago, purely as a way of helping people to realize what their particular chosen tattoo represents and its links. I was also looking for more material that included some tattoo history write-ups - a 'very brief history of tattooing' is included in this encyclopedia, followed by a small amount on symbolism, which both served well towards my own studies, reports and papers. There is also a small section on 'how to use this book' - with a small 'disclaimer' that I just have to agree with 100% - "It is important to note that the nature of a tattoo symbol is sometimes so personal that the only definitive interpretation can come from the bearer of the tattoo. No matter the established meaning in one culture, the obvious meaning derived from a historical fact, or the original source of a particular image, people will and do ascribe their own meanings to their designs." Which urges you to remember not to take this book as 'gospel', to still withhold your own intended meaning and interpretation of your tattoo, but simply to gain a little more knowledge about your design from this book, and use this knowledge as you so wish. Disregard it, argue against it, completely trash it, or take it as it is; a little piece of information that you may not have known or even considered before.

