If you're a fan of Ballard, this is definitely worth reading. If think you may be a fan, it may be even more useful. It may seem pricey for only 176 pages, but don't be fooled: the book is 8.5" x 11" and contains a lot of material.
The book has 8 sections. Most importantly, they include Interviews, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Criticism, and a Reference section that includes a two page piece by Ballard entitled "What I believe."
The fiction section includes some things readers may have already read (Ch.1 of Crash, and a portion of the Atrocity Exhibition.) But there are other interesting short pieces that may be more difficult to find (Notes Towards a Mental Breakdown and Sixty Minute Zoom). The same can be said about the Non-Fiction section.
I think the book really shines in the first 54 pages which contain three interviews with Ballard. These early interviews (early 1980s), along with "What I believe," really give the reader a sense of what Ballard is getting at as he weaves his re-occuring theme of psychopathology throughout his novels. You get a great sense of the man and his beliefs. They give the novice Ballard fan much more insight into what exactly Ballard is getting at throughout his works, and will likely make his novels much easier to grasp.
In sum, I am very satisfied with this book. I have other Ballard products from RE Search (J.G. Ballard: Quotes and J.G. Ballard: Conversations) and have consistently been impressed with the quality of product that RE Search puts out.
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