Comment by LorenPechtel

Yup. I see the book as guide to a general goal, not a specific objective that can be defined. To actually reach that goal is sometimes completely impossible and in many other cases it introduces too much complexity.

However, in most cases heading towards that goal is a beneficial thing--you just have to recognize when you're getting too close and bogging down in complying with every detail.

I still consider it the best programming book I've ever read.