I just got this book, and I would like to recommend it. 

I have read lots of training books, including the ones most people on the various retriever forums seem to use most.  I have found them to be, while perhaps technically accurate, somewhat "formulaic" and all about mechanics.  They have left me confused as to how to take what I have read and communicate it to my dog. 

This book not only explains how to do something, but why to do it, and most importantly, what your dog is supposed to understand from what you are teaching him.  It breaks down drills into steps that teach from the dog's point of view, if that makes sense.   Nothing about the drills is new-what I appreciate is that the explanations finally make sense to me-and I now have the tools to communicate with my dog.

This book also tells you specific ways to determine if your dog understands-it talks about the interaction between you and your dog, and has a few different tools in that regard.  It is not a "sissy" book-there is force, and correction, discussed for when it is necessary.  But the author always maintains a great deal of respect for the dog, and the attitude of the dog, throughout the training process.  His drills are outlined for both the "amish" and the e-collar trainer. 

This book, and the long-awaited new book from Julie, may be all that's left on my dog training shelf when I have finished reading them.