Arts Books

Self publishing has many rewards, but it's certainly not easy. There are endless pieces, parts and timelines to keep track of.

The Well-Fed Self Publisher was the survival guide for self publishing my first book, from how to find and pick designers and editors to navigating printing to collecting blurbs and reviews. The time line in the appendix keeps you on track to complete the right steps at the right time. Peter Bowerman breaks it down for self publishers one bite at a time, which saved me countless hours - and money. It not only gave me tactical advice I desperately needed, but confidence and inspiration that, I too, can do this.

Compared to other books on the topic, Peter's is exceptionally readable and easy to locate the info you need. If you only buy one book on self publishing, this should be it. My copy of the book is now battered, dog eared, marked up and stained from constant use!

This is an excellent resource for anybody who is thinking of self-publishing. The author has definitely "been there" and goes step by step through every aspect of publishing, distribution, and promotion.

The author makes it clear that as a self-publisher, your job is marketing your book, or "building demand" as he calls it, which is the crucial difference between thriving and dying.

Frankly, you shouldn't attempt to self-publish without this book, especially if your goal is to sell your book and make money, rather than just have a stack of books in your garage so you can brag about being an author.

Piggy-backing on the success of his earlier two books in the "well fed" series, Peter Bowerman has crafted an excellent guide to help brave souls tackle the challenges of self-publishing. It's not surprising that he has the answers when you consider the success he has had with his earlier books.

Bowerman explains clearly why he believes (as I do) that self-publshing is by far the preferable road for authors writing targeted nonfiction books. That decision becomes even more salient when you recognize that the major publishing houses today expect all but their celebrity authors to handle and pay for the promotion of the book. Any experienced author knows that without extensive promotion, few books can succeed.

A major consideration when I turned to self-publishing for my most recent work was my refusal to acccept a piddling royalty when I was the one who would have to foot most of the bill to promote the book. I have never regretted my decision.

While self-publishing is admittedly a time-consuming, major undertaking, books like this one pave the way well. Bowerman cuts through the mystique of publishing and clearly and succinctly outlines the basic directions you need to produce your book profitable. I recommend it strongly.

Charles Jacobs, author of "The Writer Within You."

Not only does Bowerman give concise, easy-to-follow, and thorough guidelines for self-publishing, he has compiled the best information I have found in one package on how to sell and distribute a book. Self-publishers, small presses, and authors--regardless of who published their books--will find a wealth of information, that, if followed, can make the difference between starving and eating well. As an author and publisher of "True Fiction," including Joan Bochmann's gripping novel, Absaroka what I'd like to see next from Bowerman is a similar book for marketing fiction.

This is a great resource for promoting your book, whether you are self-published, or unsatisfied with the marketing efforts of your traditional publisher. Bowerman drives home the point that promotion doesn't have to be daunting; it just needs to be done on an ongoing basis. The book offers tons of tips, specifics, and examples of how to promote your book using methods other than mainstream media.

His approach is not hokey or contrived. It does not make crazy suggestions like leaving your book at bus stops, for example. Rather, it suggests real ways to market your book with modern-day technology including blogs, e-zines, and online newsletters. Of particular help was the instruction on how to set up an effective website for book promotion.

Stacie Vander Pol, author of Top Self Publishing Firms

Now I'm convinced.

After reading this book, my main concern was "can I do this". After reading, I'm not only excited, but truly convinced that almost anyone with a brain can do what the book reveals.

Thank you Amazon and thank you Ray West.

JC

I just finished reading the book and I'm beyond stunned! It's undoubtedly the most actionable, simple, surefire program I have ever seen. You could not pay me 10 times to give it back!

I read so many books on breaking into the adult film business...I even spent $1,297 on this course from www.adultfilmmaking.com, the "only" online adult film school, which was a total rip off. This book by Ray West and one other one that I downloaded off the internet for $80 have been the ONLY two books I've read that actually give legitimate, usable information on how make money in this business. I don't understand the negative reviews on this book. Yes, the book has grammical and spelling errors but if readers aren't able to overlook that for the information it offers then they probably should stick to their 9 to 5 job anyway. If you're interested in getting into the adult business profitably and successfully, you need all the resources you can get. This book is one valuable resource to get you started. If you're a bible-thumper looking for ways to condemn this industry then you're probably the ones who are degrading the content of this book. Why waste your time? Get this book if you want to make money in this business.

The book was great to read and very informative. the speed of Delivery was also a plus. It was at my door with in a week. can't complain about that. GOOD JOB!

This book was a blast to read. I heard about Ray West from a forum as being a guru to adult film making. After reading, I know why! Eventhough his book is 2001, I am going after his new stuff. I just can't imagine as a film maker how much fun this book has brought to my life. Ray West, you are a true genius.

This book isn't as well made as the edition I had as a child, but what wonderful pictures! I used to pour over them for hours, finding new details all the time.

I received this book in 1959 from my Aunt and Uncle when I turned 4. The illustrations are beautiful and seem magical. I was surprised and pleased to see it offered on Amazon. This book started my lifelong love of reading and would STILL make a wonderful gift for young and old!

While the whole quality of the book is great -- printed in Italy, good binding, large type, heavy paper -- my favorite aspect is the broad variety of stories in the collection. Fairy tales from all over the world, representing many different cultures (though primarily European and Japanese), gives it a great well-considered "best of" quality to it. No doubt you can think of some stories that have been left out, but whatever might not have been included, this book doesn't suffer because of it.

I have absolutely no complaints about this book.

My daughter is still a bit too young to enjoy this book although she does enjoy the lovely illustrations. I think I really got this book for me : ). I only wish all the illustrations were in full color because the full color pictures are so enchanting. Its really a wonderful book with mesmerizing stories.

I purchased this for a young grandchild, and though the illustrations are lovely and interesting, they are
not interspersed among the text but are on separate pages. It is hard to sustain the interest of a young
child without pictures for them to look at. Too much text grouped together. Traditional story telling
is also lacking.

I read many books about special effects and films. I'm a huge fan of the Star Wars franchises (at least until the most recent cartoon).

THIS ONE IS PERFECT!!! So many detailed descriptions of the evolution from idea to story to script to shooting. An incredible level of detail. So many pictures, storyboards, illustrations, and documents. This is the first time I've picked up such a huge and detailed volume and devoured it from start to finish.

Even if you already own a lot of material about Lucas and Star Wars, this is a worthy addition to the library.

It truly is definitive - but also is beautiful and well written. BUY IT!!!

Great book for any Star Wars fan. Even if you're not, you'll find this an interesting look at all the trials and tribulations George Lucas went through to get his vision on the screen. Even when nobody else saw the potential in it.

Full of alot of great photos as well. Highly recommended to anyone that has even a remote interest in cinema history.

When I first saw Star Wars I was very young. At first I had a strong desire to know how all the cool things on the screen were accomplished. Over the years bits and pieces appeared in magazines and books, but nothing really felt complete. As I grew older I became interested in the ideas behind the movie, where they came from, how did they change over time, what was the history. Now, I've grown interested in the stories of the people who worked behind the scenes. What is their history, what did they bring to the production? Now here it is, all in one book, with a lot of behind the scenes photos and stories. It uses interviews from the time of the film's making, so it isn't colored by the amazing success of the movie. It's a quick read, too. The pages are full of photos (most I've never seen before), though the font size is a little small. It's a high quality book and should last a long time, which is good, because I think I'll be reading this one again and again.

This is a great book 4 every star wars fan about the origin of star wars and the first movie. Great pictures and great intervieuws with lots of people. With this price: buy buy buy!!!

The title of the book says it all. This is THE definitive collection on the making of Star Wars. Of course there were tons of documentaries being made after the initial film was a huge success but since nobody really knew what was going on with this strange film, film and video footage is sparse at best.
This gives us all the insight we could want about the making of this space fantasy. Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, you will love this record of this high budget independent film.

I love these books by Richard Scarry. I bought them when my children were small, and I bought this one for my 5 month old grandson. Even though he doesn't understand the words and pictures, he loves the colors, and there is so much to look at that they really entertain him. The other day he was kind of cranky so I sat in the rocker with him and read two of the books. He was asleep before I finished the second book, but I kept reading because I wanted to see what happened. You can't go wrong with these books for children of all ages!

My 17month daughter loves this book! I was into Richard Scarry books growing up and really wanted my baby to like it. Initially I was afraid the illustrations would be too busy for her, but that is clearly not the case. This book is one of three books (the others are big book of animals and book of words) she brings to me just about every thirty minutes, which is driving me a little crazy but I'll just have to deal with it. She really gets into the scenes especially scenes of the circus, zoo, farm, grocery, home, beach, ships, trains, etc. and has built up quite the vocabulary. She's saying the names of the animals and their sounds, bodyparts, the landscape such as tree, sun, moon, cloud, flower and can point to most anything in the pages. The scenes of the airport, trucks and "when you grow up" aren't engaging her yet but I'm sure later when she gets it more.

Richard Scarry books are a beloved classic, they are and will be on the bookshelf in our home (until the grandkids). ;)

I LOVE this book! I had it when I was a child. My favorite word in it is on the kitchen page "Batter Spoon"!!!

This is the only word book I remember reading with my mom back in the early 1980s. I still have my old hardcover edition after more than two decades. Every few years, I dust off the cover and go through the pages to look back fondly at the all-too-familiar pictures. Someday, I hope to pass on this book to my kid/s who will probably enjoy it as much as I did.

I can't forget this book, because of it had several great factors. It covered almost every place a kid may see, with it's name to know what the object is. Each page shows kids different work spaces, lands, city life, even inside a home, room by room.
This would be an excellent book for preschoolers, and even younger as well. Children and their parents may create their own stories with the detailed scenes.

I bought this book for my daughter who is an early childhood education major. She requested it after reviewing it in class. Great book!

I began to read this book to my daughter when she was two and she loves it! The book is great because it has so many things to look at; there are great illustrations of animals, vehicles, kids, etc.

I also love that Molly Lou Melon has such great self esteem and doesn't resort to pouting or bullying when other kids are mean to her. She just keeps on doin' her own thing and in the end wins over the school bully. This book is now on my list of books to give as gifts to other children!

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon es a story about a girl named Molly, who is extremly short. Her grandma is encouraging and never gives up on Molly. One day, Molly has to go to a different school and meets a bully. She oddly changes him from a cold-hearted bully to a warm-hearted friend. This book has gorgeous, colorful pictures that go along perfectly with the writing. I recommend this great, well-written book for all ages.

I absolutely love this book. It has such a wonderful message, and the illustrations are awesome. I read it to my sons, but I bought the book for me:)

Molly Lou Melon doesn't give up, and she doesn't get down on herself. In spite of being short, she stands tall no matter what and her self-confidence and fun-loving personality always shine through. She even wins over the boy who tries so hard to hurt her feelings. The illustrations are cute and colorful, and children will adore Molly Lou Melon's silly, but loveable face (buck teeth and all)! This is a great book to teach children lessons about self-confidence, a positive attitude, friendship, love and how what is on the inside matters the most. A great gift... especially from a grandmother since it is the grandmother who gives Molly Lou Melon advice and encourages her to be herself.

[...] He teaches well, is very clear, and is obviously very talented as both a player and teacher.

His book Fretboard Theory and the accomplanying DVDs are not filled with practice exercises... rather, they are a road-map that points out what you really need to learn and study. For example, he suggests starting with the five pentatonic scale patterns, and then suggests many songs to learn that use these specific patterns.

The book is short on how to go about learning the scales other than via the suggested songs, but does an excellent job at teaching theory as it relates to the fretboard and using it in a practical way. Which is exactly the point: practical and consise fretboard theory. Not fretboard practice exercise book.

Desi backs these materials up with free song riff TABS, extra videos on youTube and iTunes, etc. All of these materials are first rate in production quality, especially the DVDs. Well worth the money, especially if you are self-motivated to practice with a little focus each day.

I have purchased several of Desi's books and have also downloaded all of his Songbook I & II on-line videos. I find the book very helpful in that it explains the fretboard in a manner I can understand without getting bogged down in detailed music theory. I would/will purchase other books from him in the future.

I just want to give thanks to Mr. Desi Serna, i got The 4 DVDS and the book Fretboard Theory, this is the best material to learn guitar outside, before this i bought material from hal leonard, but i found it very difficult for a begginer and dont explain things well! but when you took the Desi Serna's Book, and put the DVD at the same thing, you would see everything clearly, he explains slowly, and show u different fingering methods in each topic, u use the best for you... and let me tell you something, i order the full pack, 4dvds + book, but the first time my package dont arrive, i email to desi and he send me another copy, trust me, this is the best, and hey if you want to know if the guy plays, just enter to youtube and search for Desi serna, and you would be amazed, i dont even speak english well, im from Panama Central america, anyone can buy his material, when i put the DVD and hear it talking i can understand everything from him, is like we have my own teacher, and if you have any doubt just email him, and he answer the mails (VERY IMPORTANT!!!)

IN SPANISH
A todos mis amigos latinos que estan interesados en aprender guitarra les recomiendo en un 100% el material de Desi Serna!!! es el mejor, creanme, he comprado material de otras persona, y casas como hal leonard y siempre encuentro dificultades a la hora de entender ese material, soy un principiante en la guitarra pero estoy avanzando bien y muy rapido con Desi serna, creanme entenderan todo lo que el explica, si tienen alguna pregunta sobre su material escribanme , puedo darles mas informacion acerca de su material es excelente... lo mejor que he encontrado en internet, incluso pueden hacerle preguntas a el directamente, responde sus mails! bueno sin mas que decirles me despido y ya saben si quieren aprender a tocar guitarra, no busquen mas, esto es lo que necesitan...

40 years playing best stuff i've ever seen have dozens of videos and books no one explained it in such a easy to understand manner will buy everything desi puts out

I wasn't in the market for another guitar instruction book. I've got plenty and most have fallen short of their intended/advertised purpose. I was initially looking for something that would give me a better understanding of modes, which have always been somewhat of a grey area for me. I've had fits and starts in the past with instructional material on modes, none of which seemed to get me to that "Aha!" moment.

Then, through half-hearted searching on Amazon, I came across Desi Serna's DVD, "Guitar Modes." Instructional DVDs for guitar are usually very low on my wish list for learning stuff, so my interest level was equally as low based on past expectations and results with this teaching format.

I read the rave reviews for the DVD and visited Desi's website to get a feel for this person I'd never heard about. I was impressed, but that didn't stop the caveat, "If it's to good to be true..." from coming to mind. Nevertheless, I went ahead and ordered it from Amazon.

After receiving and watching the DVD(And several "Aha!" moments later), I knew I found what I was looking for. The video quality is exceptional and Desi's teaching style is exceptional too. It was well worth the investment with no regrets on my part.

With that being said, and remember I've already stated my low expectations for guitar instruction on DVDs, I didn't even hesitate to order the entire bonus package of DVDs plus the Fretboard Theory book from Desi's website. And even though the "Guitar Modes" DVD is also part of the package, I didn't mind because the discount price was well worth it...That means I've got two copies of the same DVD. I would like to point out that the DVD on pentatonic scales is the most basic of the set and you might feel a little short-changed if you're an intermediate guitar player like myself. That's another thing I'd like to point out, the material, in my personal opinion, seems geared more towards intermediate players. But regardless of your level of playing on guitar, there is something here for all of us.

At first, the Fretboard Theory book held the least amount of interest for me, because I really wanted to watch the DVDs. I watched them all without ever once cracking open the book beyond a cursory glance. When I finally did get to the book and began studying it in earnest, I realized what a gem it was...And still is. Desi's excellent teaching style in the DVDs comes across in the book, which makes it seem like you're watching while you're reading. You could definitely learn a lot from the book alone, but the two teaching formats complement each other so perfectly, I think it's only commonsensical to make that extra expenditure for the bonus package(No, I am not an associate to nor a personal friend of Desi's, though his friendly and attentive e-mails do give you that sense).

The least you can do, which is the most when compared to nothing, is to get the book. You won't regret it. It will serve you very well for learning and later on as an excellent source of reference. The book comes with spiral binding; I wish all guitar instruction books were spiral-bound. It's so much easier than having to splay a book's spine every time I open it...very awkard.

I'd like to add one last thing: There's 40 page book titled. "Scale Chord Relationships: A Guide To Knowing What Notes to Play-and Why" by Michael Mueller and Jeff Schroedl. The book comes with a CD and is available here on Amazon. I think you'll find it a useful supplement to Desi's Fretboard Theory book.
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October 8, 2008
I'm adding an update to the above review: There is another book w/CD that might be of interest to anyone working with Desi Serna's Fretboard Theory book. I use Desi's book to reference from and make recommendations because it's one of the best instructional books around.

Melodic Arpeggios by Mark Galbo is, in my opinion, another book that complements Desi's book...Most notably, and for obvious reasons, the sections covering arpeggios in Desi's book. Galbo's combining of modal-scales with arpeggios to create melodic solos is done very tastefully on the CD examples, as well as the solo w/guitar and percussion accompaniment at the end of each section. You are also given the opportunity to be a little creative with the jam tracks sans the solos.

The jam tracks are going to be especially useful, not only for what is taught in this book, but also for applying what you learned about arpeggios in Desi's book. I did and it made a world of difference compared to running through the arpeggios without a musical reference.

This book is just one more proof of Rosemary's undying devotion to energize writers, stir belief in themselves and evoke the best that lies within their hearts and psyches. She never gives up--always looks for ways to teach and motivate. Thank you many times over.

No more excuses. Whether you are a published author, have never written a word, or just want to get some thoughts on a page, Secrets of the Zona Rosa will change your life if you let it.

The lessons in these pages are are powerful, provocative, and positively practical because they are universal. This book is not just for writers. It is for everyone.

Willing students will learn how to free their trapped, inner demons - as well as angels - through the healing, therapeutic power of words in Rosemary's "Exorcises". These wonderful writing tools will allow you to celebrate yourself by helping you reveal facets of your soul you might not otherwise knew existed.

Rosemary Daniell is not afraid of writing and telling her truths. Neither should you be! A marvelous follow-up to The Woman Who Spilled Words All Over Herself, Secrets of the Zona Rosa will make you laugh. Sometimes, it will make you cringe - with a smile. Most of all, it will make you write. Read it, apply it, and gain the power to tell your story!

My hand reached for this book as if it were a divining rod to grab onto something to help me find the way out of the darkness I was in...
Reading other women's stories of finding their true ALPHA voice gave me courage, confidence and broke the isolation of going it alone...
Rosemary recounts stories or events that are sometimes disturbing, painfully truthful, colorful and full of the true paths that many women have been on. Sometimes, the passages I read would haunt me through the day, but motivated me to read on to gain wisdom and life lessons.
You will not be disappointed in this book...it is worth it's weight in gold...!

Rosemary Daniell is a fascinating woman with wild and unbroken energy in terms of her life and her writing. This energy along with a sharp focus for writing is establishing an example for women around the world to follow. Essentially, she is (and has been for years) writing her way through what, in part, seems to be the unconscious shadow of a civilization who for hundreds of years has not freely admitted the feminine into it most prized corners of culture and art, particularly in the south.
In her books, as in her teachings at numerous talks and workshops across the country and in Europe, Rosemary Daniell lifts the ordinary of life to the sacred and then she brings the sacred back to the ordinary as she connects writers and ideas from all areas of life.
All in all, her latest book, "Secrets of The Zona Rosa How Writing (and Sisterhood) Can Change Women's Lives" presents not only a way to show up for your writing but for your life as well. Rosemary uses numerous quotes from other writers, such as Georgia O'keefee, Natalie Goldberg, and Menander to support the points of stories and ideas that make up the book.
"Secrets" is huge in terms of information for beginning as well as "old" writers. And there is laughter throughout the book, belly laughter rolling off pages of this book even in the midst of a painful story being told by Rosemary about writers and writing.
Carefully laid into the pages of heart-wrenching truths and the gut-splitting laughter are also guidelines and "exorcises" as well as the most sinful but delicious recipe for Strawberry Cream Cake--the Official Zona Rosa Dessert.
This book is so rich with ideas and stories that it will take years for its contents to settle within our culture but when it does, and as it does, it will take hold and become part of the anchoring force of great writers and great women who create (and a few great men who are willing to wear pink and the ZR tattoed across their hearts).
Every women should have this book as a guide for living; every woman writer should stop what she is doing right now and go out and get this book if she doesn't already have the book. Ryder J Finnegan,Ph.D./Writer/ Fayetteville, Arkansas.

When you pick up a copy of Secrets of the Zona Rosa, better pick up two or three extra notebooks and a box of pens or pencils because you are about to start writing.

It's hard to imagine not getting itchy writing fingers while reading the intriguing titles in the table of contents: "We are all doors until someone slams us," "If I was really wild," and "If I thought like a guy."

Rosemary Daniell is an intriguing and powerful woman. She writes her own truths and invites other women to do the same. No, she doesn't invite; she insists. And insistence is hard to resist.

I first met Rosemary Daniell in the pages of her 1997 book, The Woman Who Spilled Words All Over Herself: Writing and Living the Zona Rosa Way. It headed this fallen-away writer back on the writing road. For several years, I was a member of Rosemary's Atlanta Zona Rosa group. It is with real joy I welcome this book, as will other readers of this author's works. Those who have not had the fun and challenge of working their way through Rosemary's exercises--and exorcises--will soon share our enthusiasm.

Rosemary took the name Zona Rosa for the writing groups and workshops that she leads from the bohemian quarter of Mexico City, but she gives it the additional meaning of the "feminine zone," where women (and not a few men) explore using writing not only as a challenging, creative activity but also "as a tool for healing."

Secrets explains how her mother's suicide inspired her to explore her own life and truths through writing, and how the knowledge of her mother's frustrations and sadness over a lost ambition to write led her to devote her time and talents to helping other women not only fulfill their dreams of writing, but also to hone their skills in practical ways. Rosemary, already a published poet, was leading a writing workshop for women prisoners when she learned of her mother's overdose.

"I felt once more how little she--like the women in the prison--had been able to tell of her own truths. How little permission she had been given--whether by herself or others--to express them.

Although I didn't know it yet, Zona Rosa was born in that moment; an unrealized passion that would lead me to spend much of the rest of my life seeking to help women like Mother and women in prisons of all kinds to achieve their dreams."

Rosemary does not and did not flinch at telling her own truths. She spent the next three years of her life writing a memoir, Fatal Flowers: On Sin, Sex, and Suicide in the Deep South, inspired by her mother's death. Not long afterwards, Rosemary began leading a small group of writing women. Zona Rosa was born.

This book tells Rosemary's story and more. She looks back over the nearly twenty-five years of Zona Rona writers and shares (with their permission) the moving tales of how their writing has changed their lives. There are sad stories and stories of triumph, all of them fascinating.

This is not, though, a book of stories. We find guidance and guidelines that all writers, novice or expert, use with relish.

While the book deals with serious subjects, it is filled with Rosemary's wit and humor. "Pilates on Paper" first appears in Chapter 1, and the reader becomes the writer before she turns the page. (Remember my warning about new notebooks and pens!) "Book Therapy" appears regularly with reading suggestions and guidance. Writing exercises (or exorcises as Zona Rosans call them) appear throughout. Toward the end of the book, Rosemary addresses "The Emotional Tai Chi of Getting Your Work Out There"--excellent advice on finishing and submitting our work when it is ready (and we are ready for it) to be shared with the world.

Attending a Zona Rosa group or workshop is an exhilarating experience, but so is reading and writing from this book. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

by Patricia Nordyke Pando
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Modern, up-to-date dsp info, this second edition is a must have.
The "Tricks" chapter is outstanding.

I wouldn't be adding much to other reviews.

A good teacher can make a challenging subject accessible. This is THE book that proves it. It is a very well written introduction/reference to a field that is generally made scary by those who teach it. Any beginning electrical engineer who feels interested in DSP but doubts whether he/she is cut out for it, should read this book. It will dispel their apprehensions.

I first got hold of the "Chinese copy" of this book in paperback. I liked the book so much that I bought the hardcover real McCoy so I could pay my proper respects to the author and avoid the poor paper and ink bleed-through of the paperback version. It is one of a half dozen books on the subject that I really value.

Unlike some abstract mathematical treatments of the subject, Richard Lyons really connects with the guy who needs to make it happen on the bench. It is loaded with relevant examples and clear figures. I recommend it as a reference for the DSP practitioner and as a first class tutorial.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to Richard Lyons for "Understanding
Digital Signal Processing", both editions. I had the great pleasure to
use and learn from the 1st edition about 5 years ago. At that time, I
had the overwhelming urge to convey my appreciation for the wonderful
work. Now that the 2nd edition is out, there is even more reason to
express how much I enjoyed and still enjoy those works.

In particular, the topics are spot on (eg, I needed to learn about CIC
Decimation filters), but most importantly, the exposition is so very
clear and so easy to understand: each step in the progression is made
obvious -- no "and then the magic happens" or "left as an exercise to
the reader" for the important stuff.

The result is an EXCELLENT EXPOSITION. The care and the craft of
carefully showing the intermediate steps makes it real and concrete.
And it is done with a beautiful balance of intuition, observation,
analysis, and math. Why sling equations around when a simple graph
makes things clear? The equations are there, but the pictures are the
teaching tools. Other books discuss the topics. Richard Lyons's books
illuminate the topics.

I'm pleased to be able to purchase these books, and happy that Richard
is being rewarded (getting royalties, for he is DSP royalty) for his
achievements.

I purchased this book because I found myself needing to do some digital signal processing and the FFT gives me anxiety. This book was an excellent and clear introduction to the basics and helped me to develop a much better understanding of the analysis. It's written in a clear style and assumes only very basic knowledge, in fact, I think you could understand much of it without even knowing calculus. I found the author's geometric exposition of aliasing to be particularly helpful.

I give the book 5 stars, but the potential reader should be aware that the book is serves as an introduction only. In the course of my analysis I discovered that some other "tricks" were necessary that could only be found in a more advanced DSP book. So, it might be helpful to have a more comprehensive reference at your side when it comes time to actually process your signals.

I bought this to replace a copy I owned that was destroyed in this year's flooding. It's a great reference book, with clear instructions and pictures.

This book is a must have resource for the crochet enthusiast! Patterns are always nice to have but what I like the most are the detailed how-to's and the stitch encyclopedia in the back. Donna Kooler provides all of the information you need to create your own design with the stitches, beginning counts, repeats, et cetera. I would recommend this to anyone interested in expanding or even just entering the world of crochet.

I've made two of the philosopher's coats in different color palettes, and it was challenging and fun and great! Note to advanced crocheters: the directions are somewhat limited. I guess she figures that if you get to this stage, you don't need everything spelled out. I've had a ton of compliments on both coats. The other patterns are fine, but this was the reason I bought the book. Don't be intimidated! You'll love the challenge of it, and when you're done, you know you've created something very special.

I'm a international student in usa which means I have some problem with crochet pattern. This book is very helpful because it has symbol and picture to show how to do it. Since I have a basic crochet , I can easily follow instruction . recommand for a beginner!!

This book has fantastic how to diagrams as well as projects! It provides a history of crocheting that really adds. I bought this book for my daughter for Christmas, and after looking through it with her, I had to have one for myself. Great author, great book, great choice.