I felt that this book was exactly what it said it would be: a primer. As somebody who grew up in the Columbia basin (Canada-side), I'd always wondered why I hadn't learned more about the Columbia River Treaty. I was never taught when it happened, or what each side got out of the bargain. This book clearly described the history and terms of the treaty, what each side got out of the bargain, and now that renegotiation is an option, what each side is considering, as well as what's changed. I'd strongly recommend this book to anybody interested in the future of the Columbia River.