I learned all 2045 kanji in 5 weeks with this book, and am confident I won't forget them. This method is simply genius.

If you read the preface to this book, you can clearly know why Heisig has classified the Kanji in so unconventional a way. I'll try to sum this up. He opines that, at this advanced stage, we language-learning adults need a very different way to learn a new language.I second this, as we already have one language(read: English) crammed into our heads.
If we attempt to learn Kanji the way Japanese kids do, we need to have started so, right from a very early age.But alas! most of us did n't.And ironically, most of us still don't have the luxury of time to learn it that way, even now.So, then something called 'pictorial memory' is called into action.It employs the same logic behind why comics always appeal more to us, than bleak academic tomes do.
Heisig then begins his wonderful journey of teaching Kanji to us. Why bother with useless on and kun readings right from the start? You need n't. He has probably dabbled in this for far longer than most of us have, and he knows his Kanji well. Just look at the kanji, read the accompanying story, learn the ONE keyword, and you're good to go. He'll teach readings in the next volume, I think...I have already learned more Kanji this way, than I ever ever imagined I would, by the conventional classifications.Go for it....if you will, that is.

Right from the off the author gives reasons why many orthodox teachers do not use the book. One reason that he does not mention is that his presentation is incomplete in some important ways, in addition to the ways he mentions. One: He presents components of kanji as whole meanings, leading the learner to believe that these independent components are whole kanji. This is not correct. The system reminds me of the radical system of learning more than anything and definitely has merit, especially since the author says that the text should be used as an independent study suppliment to your normal learning. I went through the first two hundred kanji swiftly using his system but finally had to give it up because I was just finding too many inconsistencies. I understand his choices, (choosing archaic meanings, presenting the kanji in an order that doesn't match the Joyo or common usage lists, cutting the kanji incorrectly...), but couldn't continue as it was hurting my study more than helping. I love the idea and am impressed with some of the points made (giving an English language learner the same benefit as a Chinese learner...), but I honestly cannot recommend the book. If the book sounds like it's for you, then by all means go for it, especially if you are a beginner, and don't mind that later down the road you WILL have to correct what you've learned. The author says that people that have been studying Japanese already will have difficulty, and this is true. If you read the introduction, see his idea illustrated with the first few kanji, you WILL improve your study. Go to a library and save your money.

While I think the idea is great and helpful I think the buyer should check out what it is all about first.
I agree that the imaging is helpful and I have found making my own stories to be beneficial. Some of Heisig's stories are easy to imagine; some of his stories seem far-fetched. So, when one can't connect with his image it is best to make your own. You just have to be consistent with key words. Also, check out this URL after you buy the book because there is a list of errata that need to be corrected.

I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by Heisig whilst studying at Nanzan University. I am now most of the way through a masters degree in advanced Japanese and still find Heisig's technique extremely valuable. During his lecture he drew a flower on the whiteboard and the word "flower" next to it. He explained that as we had grown up we had learnt to read to the point that the image and the word had become inseparable. It is hard to look at the image without thinking of the word and visa-versa. He then wrote the Italian word for flower "Fiore" (as an example) next to it and explained that as we learnt Italian we first connect "Fiore" and "Flower", then as our Italian improves we gradually connect the image with the Italian word. The problem with Japanese is that we must connect the image with the romaji, the hiragana, (occasionally the katakana) and the kanji. These connections are multiple and complex to develop. By breaking the kanji into component parts comprised of radicals, the 'picture' of the kanji becomes easier to assimilate. Heisig takes each radical and gives you a story to remember it. The stories get more complex, but it is suprisingly affective. This is a technique used by "memory men" etc to remember phone book numbers etc. by giving a number an identity.....so for 7451776....(00)7 is James Bond, 4 is "fore" in golf, and 5 is Michael Jackson "5". 1776 can be US Independence. So... James Bond plays golf with Michael Jackson on Independence Day. A simple example but extremely useful when applied to the kanji. My only advice in using the book is to try to personalise the stories. Heisig is an American and so stories about baseball made no connection with me (Irish). I will never forget the kanji for "nose" after Heisig explained it was "having your brains pulled out through your nose"! Enjoy!