What You Need to Know Before You Dive In

Cal Evans introduces us to the wild and wacky world of cryptocurrency in his book, aptly titled The Little Book of Crypto. But don’t be fooled by the title—this isn’t some tiny pamphlet you can fold and fit in your back pocket. We’re talking a moderate-sized paperback that, quite frankly, could use some serious editing. You might find yourself wondering halfway through, did I just sign up for a fine dining experience or the world’s longest TED Talk?

A Whole Lot of Introduction

Now, brace yourselves, because the introductory section of this book is a meandering journey that lasts almost 50 pages—a whopping 20% of the entire book! Evans seemingly tries to accomplish everything from sharing his crypto origin story to discussing how it can assist the unbanked. But what you’re really getting is a long-winded ramble that could’ve been summarized in a couple of concise paragraphs. A plot twist: he even admits to selling PCs with pirated software during college. Ah, nostalgia!

Writing Style: A Double-Edged Sword

Evans’ writing is akin to having a drink with your funniest yet somewhat obnoxious friend. There’s a casual charm in the way he interacts with readers, but it’s often overshadowed by language that feels just a tad too colloquial. For example, his advice to question everything experts say—including his own—is amusing but can lead to confusion. It’s kind of like being told by a tour guide that the bus is on the left while he gestures to the right. Yikes!

Fact-Checking: A Lost Art?

As tempting as it is to chuckle at Evans’ casual approach, it becomes somewhat distressing when factual inaccuracies show up to the party uninvited. I mean, this guy claims to be a top-tier crypto lawyer, yet he manages to introduce errors like “Etherium” and the magical notion that Bitcoin’s difficulty is based on market saturation. It’s like watching a cat try to navigate a waterfall—cute but chaotic.

The Verdict: Worth a Read or Just Another Misfire?

If you’re looking for a serious reference guide on cryptocurrency, I would pass on this one. However, if you’re in the mood for a wild, laugh-out-loud ride where nonsense meets nonchalance, go ahead. Think of it as a tragic comedy—reading The Little Book of Crypto is as impactful as finding a stick of chewing gum on the sidewalk: utterly annoying but amusing in hindsight. Evans may be a self-proclaimed expert, but this book? Probably not something you’d take home to meet your parents.