This is a black and white illustration with a vintage, woodcut style. The scene depicts a man buried under a chaotic pile of books and scrolls. The man is lying on his back, with his head peeking out from the mountainous stack of reading material. He has a somewhat exasperated expression. The books and scrolls are depicted with detailed line work, suggesting age and texture. They are stacked haphazardly, creating a sense of overwhelming abundance. At the bottom of the image is a small, rectangular object with ornate designs, possibly a navigational tool or a book cover. Below that is the text 'READ BOOKS ON PRACTICAL NAVIGATION'. The overall style is reminiscent of an old illustration from a nautical or historical text.