If a fireplace is built wrong, then of course that is a problem. I actually have the book in your photograph, about Count Rumford’s ideal fireplace design. Most 20th & 21st Century fireplaces vary from Rumford’s design, but do so conservatively—that is their draw is still fine, but they just don’t reflect the heat in the room as well as a true Rumford will.
For example, a typical modern fireplace is at least as deep as half it’s width, if not deeper. Rumford’s design allows a shallower fireplace 1/3 as deep as it is wide. Building codes with built in smoke-shelves do make a fireplace draw (assuming the chimney is tall enough above the roof) OK, but the fire just won’t add as much heat into the room as a true Rumford design will.
Most important, is to get a good draw going before the fire itself is lit. I do that by newspaper stuffed up the flue, beyond the fire-shelf. Light it....let it flare up for a minute or so, and only then light down below. Doing that, with an adequate fireplace, will ensure no smoke goes into the room.
If there are problems with a smoking fireplace—get the advice of a chimney sweep—they are specialists in keeping things safe, and smoke free.