After reading the robotics book by the same author I should have been ready.
The first part reads like a homework project, following the same format. Here is a component; these are some pictures/diagrams; this is what it does.
There are some useful sketches given (Arduino code, for the uninitiated) but almost no background. We also have an unexplained change of font partway through, and unforgivable typos/spelling mistakes.
Reading it (history of the micro controller) I thought this book was a few years old. Nope; only a few months.
Sorry, Mr Davis. I cannot recommend this to newbies and more experienced coders will know this sort of thing anyway.