Gary, unless you are a full time bike mechanic, BARNETS book isn't worth the cost. It is thorough and complete and is upgraded every few years because of the technological changes that are taking place in bicycle equipment, but just too much info for the home mechanic. Unless he really wants to get into buying all the tools and mastering every phase of bicycle maintanence.

But if you pop for Barnet you'll have to get Sutherlands as well. They complement each other.