The substrate and environment he has created there might not be so bad for the snake on the cover. Spends most of it's time off the substrate and needs high humidity.

Anyway, I haven't read the book myself and so I can't judge the validity of the content but anyone can write rubbish and publish it. Something to keep in mind. The multi-layered vivarium substrate that Haz described to me in a PM sounds great for live tropical plants and maybe a few frogs but not for messy garters and certainly not for snakes or other reptiles that spend their time on the bottom. Also, there's better materials these days to use in that type of vivarium. The art of creating a living vivarium with just the right conditions for the plants and a few tropical amphibians, no need for changing substrate, and perhaps a waterfall is a beautiful thing. It's just not good for terrestrial reptiles and certainly not good for checkered garters. If you want to create something like that go for it. It's very rewarding when it works out. Just choose different inhabitants. Not snakes.

I've made a lot of mistakes keeping reptiles over the years. I've killed or made ill my fair share of animals. I live, I learn, and I don't repeat the mistakes. I only hope that I can keep others from making the same mistakes.

With all that said, PLEASE read the care sheet. Very accurate info in there. Can't go wrong if you follow it.

Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets