I purchased this identification guide last summer with the aim of teaching myself how to identify the various brown seaweeds of my local coast, and despite an almost instant loss of enthusiasm in my endeavour (since recovered) I now feel quite confident in distinguishing between the most common of my local Phaeophyceae species. This is no personal boast but is instead a testament to the effectiveness of this beautiful and well-written guide. The descriptions are concise yet comprehensive, the photography is extensive and of a high quality, and the introductions (the main introduction as well as the introductions prefacing each major seaweed group) contain a wealth of information for the amateur British or Irish phycologist. Anyone with the privilege of living near the British/Irish coast would benefit from this fascinating insight into our intertidal environment.