Dave,
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery! You've been on GCA.COM long enough to recognize many of the concepts/opinions that Tom has expressed over the years, but it is great to have them organized in one book. Bob did a great job organizing the book into a fun, easy to read format. For those who have been hanging out here for many years, it is a walk down memory lane.
But most importantly, taken together, I think the book is a powerful essay on what's good and bad in golf course architecture. The book makes a powerful case against the "make it long, make it hard" school of thought that permeates most single digit handicap golfers; those who have had FAR too much influences at golf clubs in the US. Tom knows the business from the perspective of the architect/owner/committee level. I know it from the club member/board member/restoration committee level.
In other words, I found myself wanting to make the book required reading for the powers that be at my club... 98% of whom have never logged on to GCA.COM but "know a good track when they play one." I honestly think if I could get these guys to read the book, it would have a positive impact. But it will be a "tough read" for them because Tom effectively shatters many of their firmly-held beliefs.