With the ever-increasing contribution of science to training methodology, strength coaches and personsal trainers might assume that the subject of workout deisgn would become less confusing.  Science is a long way from providing all the answers.  This is what we know:

• There is no such thing as a magical program.
• There are several ways to train.
• There are always new ways to improve your training program.
• In training with any one method, increases in maximal strength and size may plateau after extended periods of training.

Keeping these perspectives in mind, Modern Trends in Strength Training 4th Edition (2006) takes a closer look at the nuts and bolts of sets and reps for designing workouts.

Overview of Book (55 black and white pages):

Chapter 1:  Manipulating Reps for Optimal Strength Gains
Chapter 2:  Manipulating Sets for Optimal Strength Gains
Chapter 3:  Poliquin's Top 10 Set/Rep Schemes for Maximal Development
Chapter 4:  The Science of Training Frequency, Duration, and Volume
Appendix A
Appendix B