Even though the book seems to suggest that it's aimed at a reader without considerable knowledge of algebraic geometry, reality paints a different picture. If one follows just the algebra, one misses the richness and beauty of the geometry that this algebra was called forward to describe. This is the only flaw, but I feel it's a serious one, so it's better to be forewarned. However, if the knowledge of algebraic geometry IS there, the book both enriches and informs.