Anyone ever read "Ways of Knowing" by John Pickstone?

I can't understand this book at all. It's obviously aimed at people who know a lot about history. I can't make much sense out of it no matter how times I read through it. I have to read this book for my class, so I was wondering if anyone could put me on the right track by explaining what John Pickstone is talking about in the second chapter (the one that discusses hermenuetics). Any ideas would be much appreciated.