I have read the material contained in The Tree of Life a hundred times in a hundred other books. Those books are a but a shadow of this one. Each of those others list this one in their bibliography while they try to re-tell it as well. None have succeeded. Those other books have their place, but this very well written tome is at the foundation of of modern magick.

There are a couple of things I might mention to the potential reader. Though containing a good explanation of the Qabalah, contrary to the title, the book is really about Ceremonial Magick in its many forms. At times, Regardie approaches the subject as an apologist arguing around Blavatskys Theosophical Societys tenants, which were the fashion at the time of the writing. The debate is mostly lost on modern readers but doesnt detract from the work and is completed in the early chapters.

Regardies only stumble, in my option, is his chapter on alchemy, the last "narrative" chapter of the book. Here Regardie describes the art of alchemy as a spiritual process only and doesnt delve into the possibility of an actual chemical practice. Regardies book The Philosphers Stone carries on this narrow interpretation that the author later admitted, I believe, didnt wholly encompass the craft.

As for the Ciceros contribution to the work, I cant comment since Im unfamiliar with earlier editions. However, I found the pictures, footnotes and corrections meaningful and helpful for the most part. Where they werent helpful, I ignored them. Feel free to do the same.

Its also good to see a Llewellyn book not printed on paper-towel quality stock, but durable bonded paper. A book this good should last. A hard copy would be the only improvement upon the printing.

I wholly agree that if Regardie had done nothing else but write The Tree of Life, the world of magick would be forever in his debt. The only other book I can think of that impacted the magick world as much as this one, is Regardies own Golden Dawn. This book belongs in every magickal library and deserves to be read no matter how well you think you might know the material.