Arts Books

I like the book very much. It taught me some basic beading techniques for Swarovski crystals. I did not use any of the book's patterns. I made my own patterns using the techniques from the book.

My only criticism is that the patterns are too colorful! Swarovski crystals are already striking; too much color can become gaudy.

Laura McCabe's designs are not just sparkling. they are sparklicious!! For anyone who loves sparkles and bezeling crystals, this is the book for you. All the instructions are in color and easy to follow. I love the fact that many of the designs have picture of variations of both color and size to help you envision what a design might look like when done in YOUR favorite colors. Each project has an estimate of time to complete and a very specific materials list. There is an excellent chart for bezeling rivolis and other crystals. Although I would guess that her projects are for at least an intermediate beader, all the stitches needed to complete a project are explained in full color. Also, on her website you can order kits for some of the projects.

Laura McCabe has a very natural approach to jewelry and it shows. You can see the echo of flowers, berries, and other organic-looking items, yet she also provides some very geometric designs. The book is a full-color, quality paperback with very easy to follow, fully illustrated, instructions. Laura makes it easy to visualize how the designs will look in other color schemes by providing images of variations on the designs. She provides a brief history of beads and jumps right into the techniques and stitches. From crystal beaded bead to crystal flower rings, Laura McCabe gives 65+ ways to use Swarovski crystal elements. A wonderful addition to a beader's collection. The techniques I believe, would have interest to the the intermediate and advanced beader. Many of the techniques in this book would aid in own personal designs also.

Be sure to visit Laura McCabe's website: www.justletmebead.com
here you can see a gallery of her work and order supplies and kits.

THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST BEADING BOOKS I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. LAURA McCABE IS ONE OF THE GREATS IN THE BEADING INDUSTRY. HER DESIGNS ARE SUPERB, BUT EVEN BETTER HER DIRECTIONS ARE CLEAR AND VERY EASY TO FOLLOW. SHE ALSO PRESENTS GENERIC INFORMATION SO YOU CAN CREATE DESIGNS OF YOUR OWN. IT IS NOT A BOOK FOR BEGINNERS BUT RATHER FOR THOSE EXPERIENCED BEADERS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR NEW TECHNIQUES THAT WILL SET YOUR WORK APART FROM THE AVERAGE EVERYDAY RUN OF THE MILL JEWELERY THAT YOU SEE EVERYWHERE. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS BOOK MORE HIGHLY.

This book not only supplies beautiful beading projects but it does so in a way that can be followed by any beader with some experience in the basic off loom stitches. I have bought many bead books where the details were so sketchy or vague as to be almost useless. Not so here. Laura does the directions very well and quite clearly. On her web site there is even an addendum in which she tells you exactly what beads she used in each project. I have NEVER seen that before in a bead book! Thanks for the great book, Laura!

This book is clear & concise for any level of clayer. Katherine has the amazing ability to relay to the sculpter what is needed to bring the sculpt to life while expounding on the importance of a solid foundation.
My only critisim would be that I wanted even more animal examples & will be the first in line to purchase a follow up book should she decide to do one.

Katherine Dewey is a wonderful artist. I already own her book, "Creating Life-Like Figures in Polymer Clay" so I knew that "Creating Life-Like Animals in Polymer Clay" would be great. I wasn't disappointed! The only project I have finished is the fawn and it is adorable. I'm looking forward to my next project from the book but I can't decide which one to create because I love them all.

I'm not near this good yet, but it definately gives me the inspiration to keep trying. Great detail and instructions from a fantastic artist.
I bought this as a used book and was very, very pleased with the seller and the condition of the book.

This book gives detailed explanations and has great pictures, it is helpful and inspirational : it allows you to expand your skills beyond the book's examples. A must for fimo-maniacs. Katherine Dewey is probably the most gifted polymer clay artist in the world but is able to use pedagogy to share her knowledge.
I do not recommend it for beginners or children though, as some of the creations are detailed and might require some anatomy basics to be sculpted successfully.

This book, by Katherine Dewey, is a terrific resource book for those wishing to make animals from polymer clay - either to enhance their other sculptures or as a stand alone product. Numerous pictures and examples, with detailed instruction guide you step by step through the process. Animals included are deer, in two poses, frog, wolf, seal, bear and more. She also includes examples of bases, such as a leave for a sleeping mouse.

The book is well organized and transitions beautifully from one point to another. Graphics are included along with tips and tricks on making armatures and painting the final product. This book has it all and I highly recommend it as a necessary part of your crafting library.

Huge book. Lots of tips. Color photos. Interviews with the pros. An overall great guide to team creativity.

This book has become one of my favorite books in my library. Extremely creative ideas and large, colorful photos. I am very pleased to have this book.

Very nice book with lots of pictures for inspiration. However, I would like to know how successful the ads were and how this is measured. A clever ad does not always translate to improved sales.

I use this book all the time for class (I'm an ad design student) and it's always helpful.

The book was fantastic. I'm an advertising student and it has come in especially handy when I'm stuck for ideas. Cool campaigns and lots of insight into getting those juices flowing.

Excellent book! Great instructions on how to draw a face on cloth and how to paint and highlight facial features. I haven't made my first doll yet, but I have it on my "to do" list. I really like Patti Medaris Culea and Anne Hesse's dolls as they seem so realistic with the beautiful colors and embellishments. I make handsewn beaded jewelry and I look forward to making my first cloth doll creation. One of the things I really like about Patti's books is she also includes other dollmakers work so you can visually see all the different styles of the designers and it makes your own creative juices start to flow.

Creative Cloth Doll Faces: Using Paints, Pastels, Fibers, Beading, Collage, and Sculpting Techniques
Using many photos and easy to follow directions and diagrams, Patti has reduced the terrifying and difficult task many feel unable to acheive to its basics and allows the artist in you to come alive!

The book has dolls from a number of different artists and demonstrates each of their approach to making the face come alive! The tips are portable and not limited to just Patti's own dolls, but ones you can save in your head for future use on a new project.

I highly recommend this book for both beginning dollmakers as well as for advanced artisans who want to improve their work or techniques.

Creative Cloth Doll Faces is delightful, inspirational and visually stimulating. It takes the idea of an art doll to a new level of elegance. The directions are easy to understand, even for a beginner. It is amazing how much diversity can be made from one basic face. Each artist gives the face his/her own creative identity. I highly recommend this book to folks who wish to get into the making of elegant art dolls. Bravo for Patti Medaris Culea for a fine tutorial that includes paints, pastels, fibers, beading, collage and sculpting techniques.

That's what this book is good at. Easy to follow directions, great patterns, that can be changed to fit - your doll. But most of all, a easy way to get that face looking, like a face. Not a blob of colors, where the eyes are not in the right place, or are too big on one side, and smaller on the other. This book also has great tips for those who are more experianced. The face intimadates most begainers, and some who have expriance too. And this makes it fun to come up with your own doll face. Where you'll know it will look like a face. Enjoy - this books is tons of fun. You'll find yourself going back to it, again and again.

i've been teaching myself to make dolls, but have been using flat, painted faces. this book has taught me a variety of techniques for doll faces, all laid out step by step so anyone can follow along. there are also 'gallery' dolls, made by noted dollmakers using the technique just described. full color throughout, lots of photos and diagrams, overall a good deal.

Domu is an incredible manga. The story and artwork are both excellent. But I would expect nothing less from the brilliant mastermind behind Akira. But seriously if you are a comic book fan this is a must read. Even if you hate manga, you should read this. As I said before the artwork is stunning, Katsuhiro Otomo is an excellent artist, by far the best of all the manga artists. His stuff makes everyone elses manga look like crap. Also, while Domu isn't as intensely violent as Akira, it's still not for young kids, it does have quite a bit of violence and lot's of people get killed, including a few little kids. So if you don't like violence be forwarned. What else is there to say Domu is a classic if you liked Akira then you will most certainly love this.

An entire crowded apartment building is horrifically disturbed when violent unexplained murders upset the humdrum activities of its day-to-day residents. Seemingly mocking the monotony of inner city life and the obsessions with diversions in society, Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) injects a twisted old man into the fray maddened by intense telepathic abilities and an obsession with his own unique 'diversions'. Mainly the systematic slaughtering of his neighbors.

An unlikely challenger soon confronts the warped man-god. A young girl, a child of only about eight or nine has come to free the building of the terror. Armed with powerful telekinesis, their rivalry soon escalates into a massive battle nearly destroying the entire building.

My favorite is subtly depicted in the last scene. A silent test of wills between the two enemies amidst a peaceful playground setting.

It's obvious that Otomo loves exploring the lives of inner city characters that have very little to do with each other. Domu is one of his ealier works and should not be missed by any fan of Akira. This graphic novel is a 'single volume' and presents a quick yet very chilling read.

If only this great manga was made into an anime then we would have a greater appreciation for it's beautiful artwork and explosive action. In Domu you come across a few mysteries and until the end you'll only know about as much as the police do and that's absolutely nothing. Although it is a great read Domu has a few tiny flaws. I would have liked to see a brief explanation on how the twisted old man and Etsuko got their supernatural powers, it's little information like this that make the book seem hurried. I admire Katsuhiro Otomo most for holding nothing back; the art is very graphic at times with some gore.

The art was perfect in showing how exciting, bloody, and dangerous the final battle was.This manga shows it's intelligence by wrapping your brain around the obvious and has you asking questions that were explained but you never caught on. One question heard a lot is why does Mr. Uchida (The twisted old man) murder and torment the people in the apartment complex with no remorse but you're given clues throughout the book. His apartment is filled with toys, he likes to play with them, and he does childish things like stick his tongue out at people so either he is the most demented serial killer ever or he is something gentler.

Because this is a book from the mind of Katsuhiro Otomo who created the amazing classic Akira Domu gets the pleasure of always being compared to it. I'm not going to choose a better story because I haven't read Akira I saw the anime and that wouldn't be fair to Domu but the two have some similarities. One is the supernatural power and another is the nicely done graphic art but to give anymore might ruin the book. Domu is a great tale and an anime would be nice but I don't think today's animation would compliment the edge the manga gave but who knows what else can be done with this classic.

Domu is a graphic novel that combines great action, pathos, and some subtle commentary on urban Japanese life. The characters don't have a lot of space to develop, but seem to have a natural depth. It wasn't hard to sympathize with them, especially the dregs of society that inhabit the apartment complex the book is set in. These are the Japanese that we don't get to see very often, and that Otomo doesn't hide. This is a well-paced thriller with no missteps in the execution, which leads to an ending that gives you a lot to think about. The final scene is downright brilliant, and caps the Katsuhiro Otomo's recurring theme of powerful children. A great buy.

I read Domu the first time in the middle of the night, and after a third of the book I had to put it down because it scared me so much. The characters felt so real and that made the horrible events all the more horrible; the teenager sitting by himself in the middle of the night, struggling with his homework.. The kids playing or bullying each other.. everything felt so real. I immeadiately liked Hiroshi and Etsuko, and every time the old man appeared I was scared that anything might happen to them. In my opinion this is Otomos best work. I read this right after I had finished AKIRA part 5 and I must say that Domu was better in every way. The characters in AKIRA are mostly cardbord, in Domu they act much more like real people. Don't get me wrong, I love AKIRA, but Domu is just better. I can't explain how much I liked this manga, It's the best I've ever read. Go read it, now!

This is a great read-aloud book. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is a lot of fun. I love that the whale makes right his wrong in the end of the story! I hope Van Dusen writes more books, my kids just love them.

I first read the book, A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee. How much my 5 year old loved this book prompted me to look for others by this author. If I had to choose, I would pick Camping Spree over this one, but this book is just as cute and fun to read as the other.

We checked out one Chris Van Dusen book (A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee) at our local library and wanted more. We love his "retro" illustrations and his clever rhymes. Our kids ask to read this book over and over again. It is a cute story, told and illustrated well.

This is a beautiful book with Seussian rhyming text, and appeals to children of all ages, and young boys in particular. The rhyming text helps children who have difficulty reading stay engaged. There is so much to look at in the illustrations, and grownups interested in the color palette and trappings of the 1950s will find all of Van Dusens books welcome additions to their children's book library. This one will never go in the giveaway pile - you'll want to keep it forever.

This book is so much fun. The rhymes make it fun to read over and over, and the illustrations are absolutely incredible corner to corner. The story is so cute. Not too long, not too short. We love it and also purchased Camping Spree W/ Mr. Magee and that too is a must have! Chris Van Dusen did not disappoint!

If, like me, your husband is the kind of guy whose attitude is, "I'll wear if it a) fits and b) doesn't stink," this book will be a huge help to you.

Of course we all want our husbands or gentleman friends to look halfway decent. But if he doesn't particularly care to extend much effort in that direction himself, Betsy Durkin Matthes' "Dressing the Man You Love" will be your boon companion in understanding the ins-and-outs of men's clothing (a little more complicated than it looks!) and in caring for that clothing.

In addition to an excellent, thorough overview of men's clothing from types of tweed to types of tie patterns, Matthes covers body types; alterations; figuring out what colors best suit his skin tone; dealing with store salespeople; and more.

The book is sensitively designed, graphically attractive, and sprinkled liberally with funny quotations about fashion, style and clothing. Daniel Cooney's black-and-white illustrations suit the text and tone of the book, and are detailed enough that they're not there just for decoration; you can actually learn from them.

I'm thrilled to have this book on our bookshelves, and consult it when shopping for my husband. Thank you, Betsy Durkin Matthes, for a much-needed basic guide!

Being a man, it was not easy for me to sit down and read this book based on its title. I must admit that I did not know what I was going to get out of this book. However, after reading the book I must now admit that I have learned much from Betsy Matthes' book.

The book is just what the title suggests: a book on how to dress for men. It is actually a well written book that moves quickly. The illustrations in the book also were helpful and the pointers that Matthes gives are well worth your time.

Overall, I was happy to have read the book. I have learned that some of my own dressing habits need to change. It's amazing how much you don't realise goes into dressing for success until you see it in this work. Good job Betsy!

This book is packed with information and details and could be a textbook for an actual class in men's fashions - but it's a FAR more enjoyable read! It answers every question you might have about men's clothing, with details on care, coordination of colors and patterns, and lots of insight on how to minimize body "flaws" and maximize strong points. "Should he wear pants with cuffs?" "What jacket cut would look best with his body type?" "What shoes would go with this new suit?" The author can answer these questions and so MUCH more. If you want a man to look polished, professional and handsome, if you want to turn a "guy" into a gentleman, and if you want hints on how to nudge your man towards the best clothes choices, buy this book!

Betsy Durkin Matthes' book DRESSING THE MAN YOU LOVE is a tour de force illustrated guide to helping a man dress his best according to classic standards of clothing excellence. The illustrations and tone of DRESSING harken to a more civilized time when people expected men to be gentlemen and consistently look their best, while it presents an up-to-date modern awareness of materials and style.

This is a thrilling book for anyone who's wished to know the secrets of what makes the difference in appearance for a well-dressed man, as it takes the reader into the fascinating world of men's fashion. Matthes sets precisely the right mood for helping anyone dress their favorite man to the nines, regardless how little they may already know. With a friendly tone, DRESSING inspires, educates, and helps to empower and embolden us to offer solid mens fashion assistance in ways that make a huge difference.

DRESSING is relaxing and reassuring to readers of all levels of fashion awareness, as it sets one's mind to correctly prioritizing what areas to focus on in improving your man's wardrobe... from the best places and times to shop, to what to shop for... to how to work most effectively with a tailor. Matthes consistently achieves the perfect balance between providing the "big picture" of fashion planning and a wealth of information on all the little things that together make such a big difference in the overall look. Details such common suit weave patterns, tie patterns, color coordination, sleeve and hem lengths, and proper alterations are covered beautifully with vivid descriptions and ample sketches.

Highly recommended!

.
Beginning with the basics size & shape of your man, Betsy Durkin Matthes asks questions that are easy to answer, but very important in picking the right kind and color of clothes for your man... or men, for yourself.

Chapter 1: Classifications include: the perfect (and not so perfect) man; the string-bean - or lanky; the short challenge; the larger man and his needs; ironclad men (those with the 6-pack belly and muscles like The Rock. Additionally a chart with suggestions for the body types helps pick out the right items.

Chapter 2: What colors are best? Years ago I was classified as an Autumn, and found that the fall colors enhance my appearance; I also buy clothes in the other seasons such as bright yellow (spring), black (winter), sky blue (summer). With the colors outside my season I change the way I do my make up. Since most men do not wear makeup, the choices are more important. Keeping the seasons in mind is helpful in buying the right color clothing and accessories to bring out the best in your guy.

Chapter 3: This is tricky because there are probably a lot of clothes that need to be tossed out -- so you attack his closet...but don't shock him, get him to help you and to understand why his wardrobe needs an update.

Chapter 4: If you don't generally shop in the men's department, just take the plunge and browse. Follow the guide she provides, and fill in the form for your man. Some of these items are jacket size, sleeve length, pants around the waist and to the floor, even tie length because a tall man needs a longer tie. This is filled with good information.

Chapter 5: The salespeople -- if they are on commission, they may try to get you to buy more than you need. That is the value of all the previous questions, answers, and guides. You'll know if they want you to buy everything or the ones that are right for you. You are in charge.

Chapter 6: Now the suits - every man should own at least one suit. This chapter is loaded with pictures that display the cuts of jackets, pockets, lapels, etc. We see the current fads everywhere, but the classics are sharp and can make the man.

Chapter 7: What's the best fabric for a suit? There are a variety of wool types and other fabrics, and some are better for the cut and type of a jacket than others.

Chapter 8: The covers patterned fabrics such as: pinstrip, chalk stripe, window pane, and more. The chart Matthes provides has clear pictures of each type, thus making it easier to discuss with your man and the salesman to find the right one for your man.

Chapter 9: How do you get the right trousers. Suit trousers really don't work as dressy slacks. With a bunch of pant types pictured for you, you'll know cuts, cuffs (yes or no).

Chapter 10: Covers vests -- to wear or not to wear?

Chapter 11: The Tailor is truly the person who can make an off the rack suit look custom. When you find a good one, consider him a jewel.

Matthes' Glossary will answer all of your questions so that if the tailor asks if you want barrel cuffs on a broadcloth pant, you'll know what to say.

With 25 fascinating chapters, you'll find that you are able to choose the best way to dress your man, or for a man to dress himself.

This book is what I will call from now on: MY ELVIS BIBLE

Definitely the world's best Elvis "reader book".
Well written, easy to read, easily enjoyed whenever.

I am patiently waiting for the other Volumes of this series.
If they are anywhere near as good as this volume, Jim Curtin will the world's best Elvis books on the market! (well he kind of does already).

I am so happy I found his books online.
My first exposure to Curtin was through his Unseen Elvis book (definitely the best photo book on ELvis to date).
I did not know he authored more books, till one of my friends bought me his Christmas With Elvis book, and from there on, I became a Jim Curtin / Renata Ginter fan!

With as much enthusiasm as I had reading this book, I can honestly attest that anyone who buys it, will love it just as much. I can guarantee it (if my word even means anything to anyone).

I am just a fan who enjoys reading quality material on Elvis and who LOVES to see rare photos on him as well.

So if you want my recommendation as to what kind of books to buy or get on Elvis .... stick with Jim Curtin (the true Elvis expert and friend)

I have never written a review before on anything, so please don't mind if I rattle here and there. I will try to my best ability explain what I liked about this book.

#1- This book dispells the Elvis myths that have for some reason been printed all wrong! ... Jim makes true sense of many of these myths and explains in detail the real truth behind certain things: .... [EX: That the Dorsey Brothers who hosted "The Stage Show" did not like nor want ELvis on their show and only allowed him a few appearances when Colonel Parker paid them $5,000 under the table!!]

#2- Has touching stories about the sad times in his life: his mother's death - breakups with his girlfriends - breakup with his wife - etc.

#3- Has funny stories about how Elvis too had his moments of embarrassment, accidents and just plain ole funny situations .... [EX: In the 1970s, Linda Thompson talked Elvis into going to the local Memphis McDonald's and there he was approached by a man who thought Elvis was an impersonator and told him how sad he was to be someone else! Linda simply went along with the man and said to Elvis, "Cut the crap Bob!" ]

#4- Has wonderful behind the scenes stories during Elvis' movie filming ...... [EX: How on the set of Roustabout, Elvis was accidentally kicked in the head by costar and as a result had to have stitches to sew up the wound. The director incorporated a scene in the movie, where in a fight Elvis' character suffers an injury to his head! ]

#5 - Has great stories about the women he dated and what happened during some of the dates! hehe ....... {EX: How Elvis dated Yvonne Craig and he invited her to his CA rented home, while trying to leave, she activated his alarm which in turn called the local police and swat team. She was almost arrested for breaking and entering by them, if Elvis hadn't been woken up to explain why she was there!]

#6- Also has fantastic business stories of some of the deals he and Colonel Parker were offered and turned down. .... [EX: They were offered $1 million to perform one show in England]

#7- Heartwarming family stories about his parents, Priscilla and Lisa Marie ....... [EX: How Lisa Marie, at age five, would play Elvis' records on her own personal record player and memorize the words - and then go to Elvis and "perform" the songs for him - complete with all of Elvis' stage moves!]

These are just 7 reasons why this book is so great. It is so heart touching it should be retitled to: CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE ELVIS SOUL

So fellow readers, if you want a book that you can laugh, smile, cry and be amazed with, this is it! You do not need to be an Elvis fan to read it ... all you need is an open mind, a hot cup of tea of chocolate, a comfortable chair with blanket and this book!

I have never written a review before on anything, so please don't mind if I rattle here and there. I will try to my best ability explain what I liked about this book.

#1- This book dispells the Elvis myths that have for some reason been printed all wrong! ... Jim makes true sense of many of these myths and explains in detail the real truth behind certain things: .... [EX: That the Dorsey Brothers who hosted "The Stage Show" did not like nor want ELvis on their show and only allowed him a few appearances when Colonel Parker paid them $5,000 under the table!!]

#2- Has touching stories about the sad times in his life: his mother's death - breakups with his girlfriends - breakup with his wife - etc.

#3- Has funny stories about how Elvis too had his moments of embarrassment, accidents and just plain ole funny situations .... [EX: In the 1970s, Linda Thompson talked Elvis into going to the local Memphis McDonald's and there he was approached by a man who thought Elvis was an impersonator and told him how sad he was to be someone else! Linda simply went along with the man and said to Elvis, "Cut the crap Bob!" ]

#4- Has wonderful behind the scenes stories during Elvis' movie filming ...... [EX: How on the set of Roustabout, Elvis was accidentally kicked in the head by costar and as a result had to have stitches to sew up the wound. The director incorporated a scene in the movie, where in a fight Elvis' character suffers an injury to his head! ]

#5 - Has great stories about the women he dated and what happened during some of the dates! hehe ....... {EX: How Elvis dated Yvonne Craig and he invited her to his CA rented home, while trying to leave, she activated his alarm which in turn called the local police and swat team. She was almost arrested for breaking and entering by them, if Elvis hadn't been woken up to explain why she was there!]

#6- Also has fantastic business stories of some of the deals he and Colonel Parker were offered and turned down. .... [EX: They were offered $1 million to perform one show in England]

#7- Heartwarming family stories about his parents, Priscilla and Lisa Marie ....... [EX: How Lisa Marie, at age five, would play Elvis' records on her own personal record player and memorize the words - and then go to Elvis and "perform" the songs for him - complete with all of Elvis' stage moves!]

These are just 7 reasons why this book is so great. It is so heart touching it should be retitled to: CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE ELVIS SOUL

So fellow readers, if you want a book that you can laugh, smile, cry and be amazed with, this is it! You do not need to be an Elvis fan to read it ... all you need is an open mind, a hot cup of tea of chocolate, a comfortable chair with blanket and this book!

It make you see Elvis as a more well rounded person. He feels like a friend I never met.

I won't be too long in my review here, so here it is:

This is a very well informative book.
ok there may be some stories that didn't interest me much, but that is quite a small percentage (5% maybe); but I think there are fans out there, who want to know everything.

What I did enjoy (and even learned) were the stories that told the "behind the scenes story" of a particular event (ei: Dorsey Brothers payoff, Parker's business tactics, recording session goings-on, things that showed Elvis wasn't exactly the perfect date)

great reading and I would have to say: a must have reader!

My only problem with this book was some of the photos.
not exactly "unseen" *(because I have seen many before)* but I think they matched Curtin's "chapter themes" (if you want to call them that).

Ok so far Curtin is NOT A MEMBER OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR!
5 more Curtin books to go

An extremely helpful, easy to understand grammar reference guide to be used alongside any Spanish program.

If you are studying Spanish, this is a great book for teaching Spanish grammar. I found it very helpful when taking a second semester college Spanish class.

I paid for but I never received this book.

A student in my college Spanish class a few years ago introduced me to this little treasure. I was so impressed by the way it was written and designed that I asked the college bookstore to make it available. It was quite obvious that 90% of my students did not know English parts of speech nor syntax therefore handicapping them if they wanted to learn a foreign language. I used the excercises at the end of mny of the chapters as part of quiz and test reviews. Since I retired from teaching I gave my copy to a friend who teaches high school Spanish, and recently recommended this book to another friend who is teaching Spanish in an adult learning center.

This grammar book is very good and is a great help to me. I recommend this book to anyone learning Spanish Grammar. The book explains English Grammar and for someone like myself that does not have a a clue regarding grammer it helps alot with clear chapters on each possible subject and then of course its use in Spanish.

I recommend this book, as it has been the most helpful out of all the grammar books I have used.

This book is a must read for anyone who has trouble getting started. The mantra that has been beaten into my head over and over by most college professors is the importance of writing everyday. However, that's often easier said than done. Outside of CW courses, class assignments and workshops, it's been very difficult for me to get started and I've never been big on journaling. This excercises in this book have provided me with countless "assignments" to help get the creative juices flowing. If you find that you need a little push to get going, this book is for you.

The book arrived in excellent condition within the scheduled delivery time.

This book is terrific, well written, an excellent resource. Understandable and practical. Bravo!

Thank you,

Francine Keehnel

I have taken several classes lately and with them gotten several books. Most of them have at least some valuable information to make one a better writer with modern examples, but this book is unique in that you never feel like the author is giving you lines in which you are supposed to color inside of to make a good picture. You never feel pressured either. Since I am a beginning writer, this was the perfect atmosphere for me because there was room to learn new things, and reject some things without feeling I am suffering long-term as a writer. If one feels a strong sense of personal voice, this is the best book to acquire and develop new skills (as well as refine existing ones)

Once you have read an introductory book like Brayfield's Bestseller or Kings 'On writing' this is the book to buy and use.

Novakovich covers there basic elements: Setting /Character/Plot/PoV/Dialogue & Scene/Begins and endings / description/ vice and revision. He uses numerous examples form published literature and each chapter concludes with a number of good exercises.

One topic Novakovich does not cover is writers block. Maybe that is because he provides the solutions. Writers block is either due to lack of ideas or anxiety about one's writing. Novakovich provides the solutions - a chapter on the sources of fiction and a reference book to dip into every time one feels a anxious.

The beauty of Fiction Writers Workshop is the exercise - do them - and that all aspects are covered in one short book. That is also its disadvantage. Successful writing is complex, it requires fluent and adaptive use of a number of skills. To become fluent you will need to read and practice each in greater depth than can be provided in one book that covers them all. Don't make the mistake I made of going in depth on one skill first. It can lead to imbalance. Start with Fiction Writers Workshop and you will gain a balance.

Readers of this review can review it - tick the box 'useful' or 'not useful'. There is something I have noticed in those reviews. If reviews are critical then people are less likely to tick the box - 'useful' and more likely to tick the box 'Not useful'. What they are in fact saying is 'It was a nice review'. For a writer that is the worst kind of review. It leads you up the garden path. An author needs is honest candid review.

I'm not being nice about Fiction Writer's Workshop. It is that good.

just Jack

This gives you the how and the why and what you must do to accomplish what you wish to accomplish in your writing. Worth every penny.