Who said 'COMPLETE'?? - Rated 
This is certainly a weighty book, and has plenty of useful information, but I would not say it was a "COMPLETE Book of Locks and Locksmithing". A rather boastful claim in the diverse world of centuries of security.
Some of the problem may be because it is patriotically American. I am sure if you were setting up your locksmithing business in the USA this could well be a book you need. The sample tests are for Registered Professional Locksmith certification in the USA, and just about all the contact addresses are in the USA.
However it does not appear to cover many other lock makers in the rest of the world. For example the book does not acknowledge the large sectors of the security market British based firms like Chubb, Union, Securefast, Yale(International), Pheonix, Milner, Guardian... have in the past and still contribute to. The name Willenhall (Home of British lockmaking)only appears once. I admit I am biased being British, and prefering to work with British products. Naturally there are other lock makers in the rest of the world not covered either.
The automotive section is mostly US cars such as Chrysler, Mustang, Cougar, GMC..., and does not include locking developments such as radial keys.
Some of the techniques used daily by many locksmiths are not covered such as 'shimming', or appear incomplete (maybe for security reasons). Other techniques described do not seem to work as well as Mr. Phillips makes them sound, but with practice they may become easier.
The book mostly concentrates on pin tumbler locks, and can seem rather dismissive of lever and warded locks, which there are still alot around. They still need maintenance, even if they are only retained for cosmetic reasons on old ornate doors.
All this said I will give credit it is a fair attempt to cover at depth, some aspects of an enormous subject. I will keep this book as a useful resource, filling in many gaps, and getting other slants on the subject. However I will not be getting rid of any of my other locksmithing resources so I truly get a bit more COMPLETE picture of locksmithing. So take the word 'complete'loosely and subjective, if anyone is trying to sell you some apparent 'cure all'.
Judge for yourself.
Excellent book - Rated 
The author describes all the different types of Locks, Keys, and equitment that Locksmith's use. If you are planning to be a Locksmith (as a career), then this is the write books for you, it will teach you everything you need to know, or even if you are just intrested in the history of Locks, this is the first choice for a Proffesional Locksmith. Locks have been around since at least 4000 BC, and they have always been made by skilled and specialist craftworkers. Locksmith now sell, install and service locks of all kinds, from old and well tried designs to those of the latest technology, and if you read this book, then you should be on your way to becomeing a self-employed or employed Locksmith, you could make your own bussiness, and since the book tells you what tools you need, you'll be on your way to being a Locksmith (Locksmith get excellent pay and some do scheduled job, while others do emergency's, and there is a lot of money in that). As society has got richer, more people have possesion's that they want to lock away, so the demand for secure locks has increased. Security is becomeing increasingly important to homeowners and employees. There are many different types of locks, ranging from simple ones for home use to enormous, elaborate ones worked by electronics to protect bank vaults and commercial or national secrets, and you could be the person who fits these locks and gets the credit for catching a robber, and get money for it.
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