The extra information at the back of the book is worth buying and finding shelf room for a second copy of The Blue Lotus. It really is an edition for "Young Readers" though, because yes it tells everything a person needs to know about the very authentic historical background, but also the pages are smaller and the print a little finer: not perfect for older people! Maybe the grandchildren can follow along in this volume when I read aloud from the other copy. The print in the outstanding "Real Life Inspiration Behind..." section at the back is large enough to read together. ( )