diff --git a/book/source/08-signing_components.md b/book/source/08-signing_components.md
index cbf184e..c33276e 100644
--- a/book/source/08-signing_components.md
+++ b/book/source/08-signing_components.md
@@ -12,6 +12,12 @@ In this chapter, we'll consider OpenPGP signatures that apply to components. Tha
 - Component keys (primary keys or subkeys), or
 - Identity components (User IDs or User attributes).
 
+This chapter adds a lot of detail to the material we discussed in the {ref}`certificates_chapter` chapter. Signatures on components are a crucial mechanism for forming OpenPGP certificates (which combine component keys and identities, via signatures on those components).
+
+Additionally, signatures on components play a crucial role for authentication of identities. Mechanisms for decentralized authentication are one of OpenPGP's core strenghts, we'll look into how they work.
+
+Finally, signatures on components are also a central mechanism for life-cycle management of OpenPGP certificates and their components. This includes defining or changing expiration dates, or issuing revocations, for certificates or their components.
+
 ## Self-signatures and third-party signatures
 
 There are two important scenarios to distinguish: