beer book and podcast from scientific american

Go here: http://www.sciam.com/podcast/index.cfm?e_type=W
Look up the podcasts from May '07 (05/2007). Listen to May 9. The first half is beer, about 15 min.
Here's the related article: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=E699E9C7-E7F2-99DF-38A7329520CF67D6&sc=I100322

It seems the book is only available in hardcover for about $28. I wonder if it's worth buying?