This an fantastic book for fans of Kurosawa, one that gives much insight into both his life and process. His theories of narrative form are apparent in both how the book unfolds and what he says about the process of filmmaking. Casual fans need not apply, however. It serves equally as a behind the scenes companion to his works (up to Rashomon) and the story of his life, but the Kurosawa uninitiated won't get much out of this.