There is too much historical introduction. When the core concepts arise, there isn't enough explanation. The author assumes arbitrary a priori familiarity with many of the concepts and jargon particular to ICD's. Typical paragraphs dig into details without first explaining the core concepts. In many areas, the prose is annoyingly obscure. The author sometimes provides enough information to figure out what he is saying, but it would have been easier if he had simply explained the concepts in the first place. A trained technical writer, or at least a pre-publication review by a member of the target audience, could have measurably improved this work. ICD manuals are somewhat better written, though necessarily parochial.

It's probably a fairly good book if you already know enough that you don't need it. Unfortunately, I cannot currently suggest a better alternative.