Product Description
Announcing the new revised edition of the classic industry reference! Landscape Graphics is the architect's ultimate guide to all the basic graphics techniques used in landscape design and landscape architecture. Progressing from the basics into more sophisticated techniques, this guide offers clear instruction on graphic language and the design process, the basics of drafting, lettering, freehand drawing and conceptual diagramming, perspective drawing, section elevations, and more. It also features carefully sequenced exercises, a complete file of graphic symbols for sections and perspectives, and a handy appendix of conversions and equivalents. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

A great book for architects, draftspersons, designers, artists
This is a great book, I love it. So much that I gave my original to a young friend who just got into architecture school and immediately ran and bought a replacement for myself :)

It gives really clear directions and examples of how to render all sorts of terrain, veggetation and pavement in plan and section. Great for anyone just learning about illustrating their designs in those formats. Also great for artists.

Great book- great seller
Great book- in the first edition you'll find lots of dead space due to poor editing. This actually works well for writing your own notes and ideas in the book. Selling process was fantastic. Very happy.

Grants book is a Landscape Graphics standard
I was required to utilize this book in my college study at Colorado State University.I was also fortunate to have Grant as my Professor leading me through his publication.As a professional Landscape Designer, and now LA, I can honestly say that I have attained all of my positions in Landscape Architectural firms based on these fundamental design standards and my graphic abilities.Personally, the book had it's uses as a teaching tool as well as it's inspirational uses now 15+ years later.Some people have stated that it is too basic and "dated".I may be old school when it comes to hand graphics and illustration, but I see the plan, section elevations, and perspective views represented in this book as nothing short of fundamental.Grant ingrained in his students to "be loose" (yes, Grant too was a student of Mike Lin and pulls material from him in this book as well) and that the quick thumbnail sketches that can be done on the spot are an essential means of communication.For early conceptualization, charettes and Design Development I have found these graphic standards essential.From there, I can incorporate this quick visualization into finished and approved architectural illustrations or whatever means of CAD, SketchUP, and/or Adobe CS program rounds it out to my firm and clients requirements.

At the end of the day, this has always been an important and treasured addition to my collection right next to other books by Lin, Leggit, Doyle, and Wang.

Terrific book for learning graphics and as a reference
I purchased this book as required per my Landscape Architecture graphics class at Ohio State University and 5 years out of college and I see refer to this book when I need help with my graphics or to use a new technique.Landscape Graphics gives you a step by step process on how to create trees, perspectives, ect; in addition to pages of graphic samples of people, ground covers, trees, shrubs, plan views, sections, lettering, and vehicles.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who sketches, or creates graphics in the architectural/landscape architectural field.

Grate
Product was in excellent condition delivered on time very good seller. If needed I will defiantly purchase from him again ... Read more

Product Description
Assembling a team of this talent, this breadth of style and scope, is no easy task. Pouring this much creative ability into a universe as broad and deep as Bungie Studios' Halo, is no mean feat. Pulling that together into a cohesive graphic novel anthology is a Herculean task, but here it is! The Halo Graphic Novel! Introducing four tales from the Halo universe by some of the finest talent in comic book history, including the central story, "The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor," with art by Simon Bisley (Slaine, Batman, Judge Dredd) and a story by Lee Hammock. Creator of cult manga Blame! - Tsutomu Nihei - writes and illustrates Sgt. Johnson's tale, "Breaking Quarantine," and the trio of Ed Lee, Andrew Robinson, and Jay Faerber team up to bring us "Armor Testing," a story of technology in the 26th century. Last, but not least is "Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa," from Brett Lewis and legend Jean "Moebius" Giraud. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (72)

It makes the game more exciting
All Halo game fans!!! Read it play the game, it will make the game more exciting...

It's cool...
If you're a Halo fan or if you know someone who is this is pretty cool. I kind of wish it was longer but it's a good read.

All Stories Disappointing, Some Strongly So
This graphic novel is worth buying in order to have more Halo canon stuff at whatever cost, but otherwise is dreadfully disappointing.

This was not the delight I had hoped it to be.I actually bought this for the second story "Breaking Quarantine", about how Sgt. Johnson escapes from the Flood, hoping for an interesting twist or two.Instead, it appears that Johnson merely walks out _exactly_ the same way the Master Chief does in the game!Everything is exactly the same, down to the Flood fighting the Covenant, the Flood infesting everything infestable, the Flood running round and round in circles under the damaged light bridge, the flood pouring out of heretofore sealed chambers, everything!What is curious is that the Flood apparently clean everything up and go hide afterwards, so that they can pop out and surprise the Master Chief in exactly the same fashion when he arrives many hours later!Those crazy Flood!The art is also the weakest.The only part that is not worse than expected is the dialogue, of which there is none.

The other three have better artwork, but are all pretty unconvincing as stories that entertain, enlighten, or are worth money to read.

Halo - The Graphic Novel
The Halo universe, games and novels, tells one of the top 5 greatest sci-fi stories of all time, in quality and quantity.This is a must have for TRUE Halo fans, and simply a really good sci-fi novel for those that aren't.This novel is unique being a graphic novel but that doesn't take away from it's ability to portray a truly epic tale with its amazing artistry.Each novel tells a truly awesome story and blends the action, drama, and even comedy very well.Kudos to this authors and artists that have contributed to this amazing tale.I hope the Halo franchise and universe continue to evolve for a long long time.

My review of the Halo graphic novel
I am a fan of graphic novels like the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Watchmen, Batman, and the Dark Tower series. I am not so acquainted with the Halo game (as I am not a gamer), but do love the graphic novels. Their stories bring a human touch and feel to an intergalactic story These graphic novels stand up to any of the comic book and graphic novel greats in all aspects - colors, graphics, storytelling, and their ability to reach people on a realistic, real world level of thought and feeling. I suggest these graphic novels to anyone interested in the art of graphic novels whether or not you're a gamer. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (25)

Great book, but...
I love the Rockport series of graphic design books. Eye candy all, but a major bone to pick. What's with the teeny-tiny type? Is layout more important than the content? Does style trump purpose? One needs a magnifying glass to read anything. Or maybe it's not meant to be read, but goggled? I sadly returned my copy.

Sweet and Concise
So what if it's not a workbook. The content more than makes up for the misname. This book is designed for people that are annoyed by those books filled with "content", that really only repeat the same thing over and over again. This book was written in a brief concise writing style and, to me, that is priceless. That title says layout workbook, but in reality it deals with more than just that. It deals with design process, which is very important for every designer, the overall mentality of what a designer should think like, and most of the fundamentals that all designers should come to learn in their long and hard design journey. Most people that write 5 star reviews only say things like it's a great book or truly wonderful, which I find very useless. Nonetheless, it's a great book, and I strongly recommend you get a copy as it will change the way you view design, especially if you starting out, or find yourself being an auto-didactic person. Thanks to this book I'll be starting my freelance carrier soon.

Not much layout - more of a basic graphic design book
Deceptive title. Expected more in-depth material on layouts, grids and publication design. Turned out to be more of a graphic design basics book that gives surface level info on various design concepts. Not really a workbook either - no interactive exercises or anything. Last 1/3 of the book basically profiles various design firms and certain print publications they've created. Again - very surface level analysis.

Not recommended for intermediate/advanced designers.

Layout Workbook
This was a great buy and I am very happy.The delivery was quick and the book is in great shape.Thanks!

Excellent book on design for any student
I like this book a lot and it is clearly influenced by the authors graduate education at RISD, her undergraduate education at UIUC (with influence by Renate Gokl) and her on the job experience in the Chicago design world.

I think the reason why it has the word "workbook" in it is that is the title of a series of books by Rockport. This is, unfortunately, a persistent trend in design books which is forcing authors to title, change, or redesign books so they fit an editor's idea of a series. Even if it really does not fit that series.
(Why can't publishers let design authors simply publish a book on type, a book on identity design, whatever..., and not have it be part of a "series"?!)

One criticism is that some of the typography is a little crazy in section spreads and chapter intro pages. I think a bit more restraint could have been used for these to make them more functional in nature while still interesting. But it is a minor thing.

Forget the title. It is simply a very useful book. I wish I had found it in 2005 when it was first published or at least in 2007 for the paperback. ... Read more

Product Description
50 Great Templates That Help Kids Get More Out of Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and More!
This giant collection of fun, easy-to-use graphic organizers will help students soar in every curriculum area! Includes 50 classroom-tested, reproducible templates along with simple how-tos and student samples. A great way to motivate visual learners! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Excellent educational resource and easily adaptable for most grade levels
The graphic organizers featured in this slim but practical volume are easily adaptable for use in most grade levels and for subjects such as language arts, social studies, science, mathematics, as well as study skills. Although graphic organizers appeal primarily to visual learners, I feel they can also be adapted for auditory/kinesthetic/spatial learners by supplementing with other materials as well as using different teaching strategies.

The graphic organizers can also be used for various learning situations such as whole class, pair-work, group-work, etc and adapted for use in inclusive classrooms. All of the graphic organizers in this book are reproducible, making it convenient for teachers to use in the classroom or in tutorial sessions. The graphic organizers range from the very easy to more complex, and help promote critical thinking skills in students. It is also value for money. Highly recommended!

Helpful for visual learners
I started using this book the day it arrived.It's full of fun organizers for all the core subjects plus study skills.They are very useful for helping my kids organize their thoughts before writing, keep track of important math concepts, or record their science observations.I especially like the blank templates for graphing and the assignment organizers.A really great resource!

Fun, easy to use, amazing graphic organizers
This is a very useful book that you will always want to have handy. It contains 50 graphic organizers for Reading and Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math and Study Skills. Some of the graphic organizers are based on the traditional ones but with a fun twist. For instance, you will find a Venn Diagram in which the circles are actually part of two snowmen. Other graphic organizers are really innovative and original, like the "River Flowchart" for Social Studies or the "Robot Rules" for Math. You will find lovely graphic organizers for almost everything you want to teach, ranging from the basic reading skills all the way through planning your science fair project, teaching kids equivalent fractions with a pie-shaped chart, or analyze the sequence of historical events with the "Climbing the Mountain" graphic organizer.

If you want your kids to assimilate concepts through graphic organizers, you should always try to present these with a different appearance to get kids interested, and this book will definite help you achieve this.

Highly recommended for all levels.

The Big Book of Reproducible Graphic Organizers: 50 Great Templates to Help Kids Get More Out of Reading, Writing, Social Studie
Great book.

Very handy resource
I have a tendency to create my own graphic organizers, however, this book has many generic organizers that I find very useful.Sometimes using a variety of organizers for the same skill increases an educator's ability to reach and hook the diverse population found in today's classroom.I will be attending a workshop by this author and it will be interesting to get new ideas for using these organizers. ... Read more

Product Description
Graphic Classics: Edgar Allan Poe returns in a revised 4th Edition, with 40 new pages of content! New comics adaptations include The Pit and the Pendulum by David Hontiveros and Carlo Vergara, and William Wilson by Rafael Nieves and Dan Dougherty. The Raven returns in a revised adaptation by J.B. Bonivert, with Annabel Lee by the same artist as a new companion piece. Plus, The Black Cat, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher, and four more terrifying tales. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great New Updated 4th Edition
An anthology of graphic adaptations of some of Edgar Allan Poe's works, both short stories and poems. Each story is written/illustrated by different people such as Rick Geary, Carlo Vegara, Matt Howarth and others resulting in a wide variety of artist styles throughout the book. Most of Poe's works collected here are his most famous but there are a few lesser known ones as well.

There are quite a lot of changes to this 4th edition with the removal of, mostly, the shorter lesser known works and the addition of a few poems but especially two major long works. First, but most importantly; all my favourites from the 3rd edition are still present. As I said in that review,

"My favourites were Rick Geary's retelling of "The Tell-Tale Heart" as I am fond of his work. I also enjoyed "The Imp of the Perverse" by Tom Pomplum and Lance Tooks which I had never heard of before. I also enjoyed Pedro Lopez' rendition of "The Cask of Amontillado" as that is one of my favourite Poe stories and the adaptation was well done."

What has been removed are: King Pest, Eldorado (a poem), Spirits of the Dead (a poem), The Masque of Red Death, and Hop-Frog. The only one of these I deeply regret the removal of is The Masque of Red Death and to a much lesser degree Hop-Frog.

The additions are mostly very strong. The Black Cat returns after its removal from the 3rd edition. The two new long pieces are The Pit and the Pendulum and William Wilson. The Pit and the Pendulum is worth the price of admission. It has been incredibly rendered in all its eerie glory by David Hontiveros and Carlo Vergara. Another of my favourite stories that has been presented in a terrifyingly creepy and atmospheric manner. This one joins my favourites in the entire book. William Wilson is a strange story to begin with but the artwork is gorgeously detailed and atmospheric; I love the portrait of Poe on the wall in the last frame. Not one of my favourite stories but adapted to graphic form very well and certainly worth the removal of Hop-Frog. Also new to this addition are the poems In a Sequestered Churchyard Where Once Poe Walk'd by H.P. Lovecraft, and Annabel Lee. The Raven is not new but the illustrations have been redone by J.B. Bonivert and I have to say I am not pleased with them at all. I don't know what you call this type of art but it is plain weird (almost farcical to me) and totally distracts from the somber, eerie tone of the poem. On the other hand, Bonivert illustrates the new Annabel Lee and is much more successful using a fairy tale theme to the art that grows darker frame by frame.

If you already have a previous volume I think this one is well worth adding to your collection just for the addition of "The Pit and the Pendulum" alone. If you don't have this volume, what are you waiting for? This series is a great way to sample the author's work if you are unfamiliar with it and if you are a fan of Poe's it brings his work to another level by reading it in the graphic format.

A Lot Of Fun
Like the writings of his fellow American fantasists Edgar Rice Burroughs, H.P. Lovecraft, and Robert E. Howard, the work of Edgar Allan Poe cries out to be illustrated; so it's no wonder the folks at Eureka Productions chose to begin their series of Graphic Classics with a collection of illistrated tales and poems by this master of the macabre. They've hardly stinted on the talent, either - artists include the great Richard Corben (creator of the character Den seen in the film Heavy Metal (Collector's Edition)), the insane and ingenious Maxom Crumb (known from the excellent Terry Zwigoff film Crumb (Special Edition) and younger brother of underground comix great Robert), and Alan Moore collaborator John Coulthart (The Haunter of the Dark: And Other Grotesque Visions). Award-winning writer Joe R. Landsdale (The Bottoms) provides the introduction.

This collection strikes me as an incredibly useful book - teachers can use it as a remarkably faithful and accessible introduction to one of the giants of American literature; comics fans, to introduce themselves to a marvellous storyteller; and Poe aficianados can see some the greatest talents currently working in the fields of comics and illustration. Oh... and if you're somebody who just enjoys a good scary story, you'll have a lot of fun with this, too - and who doesn't like a good scary story?

Poe Graphicatalized
Great artistry behind one of the best poets of modern time.My personal favorite, The Raven, was put into wonderful artistic views.A must have for any Poe Fan.

Edgar Allan Poe Rocks!
Edgar Allan Poe Graphic Classics

Okay, I get the point.Having read all of Tom Pompluns' classic compilations, I have often thought `Why not get mainstream artists?I'm sure John Byrne would do one for him?Hey, Steranko?What about Wiacek?Or Perez?'.But, call me slow, this collection of stories has opened the door.

The tales he has chosen to adapt, and the artists he has assigned the work to, work.Why?In a twisted way, the sheer esoteric nature of the Poe, Twain, Stevenson, Doyle, Bierce, and Lovecraft stories match the highly stylized artwork from Geary, Weber, Howarth, Knight, Shaw and others.Put a story like King Pest into the hands of Frank Brunner, and you have a masterful piece, that may miss the off mark.Brunner is fantasy.Pest is satire, at its' best.Neal Adams doing the Cask of Amontilado would be a visual feast, but the art would overshadow the terror of the story.Some of the art in this volume does not necessarily make the tale sing, but it does put the onus onto the writer and as a team, it either does, or does not work.

Most of these work.This volume includes The Premature Burial, Imp of the Perverse, King Pest, The Tell Tale Heart, Masque of the Red Death, Hop Frog, Never Bet the Devil Your Head, Cask of Amontilado, Fall of the House of Usher, and the Raven.A couple of these are reprints but 40 of the 144 pages are new.Because of the new material, the book has a `new' feel to it.

Of the stories here, I had never heard of half of them.King Pest is a hoot.Hop Frog is delightful.The Imp of the Perverse is perverse.And the Premature Burial is masterful.Material from a genius like Poe should never be forgotten.

What the heck Tom, I bet Steranko would do a cover!!


Tim Lasiuta

Gothic comics - An outstanding blend of words and pictures
Edgar Allan Poe is a natural choice as the first volume of the Graphic Classics volumes, a series partially inspired by the Classic Illustrated collection of comic books, which attempted to lure young readers into reading respectable, "classic" authors through the comics medium. This new incarnation, however, takes an entirely different tact, combining fantastic literary stories with equally talented artists for something that is far more entertainment than education.

Also, while these are "comic books," the illustrators are far more "New Yorker" than "Fantastic Four." Creative, individualistic and highly stylized, each artist leaves their own distinctive mark on their story, creating a unique experience, a collaboration between author and artist.

This 3rd Edition of "Graphic Classics: Volume 1 - Edgar Allan Poe" assembles nine short stories and three poems of the master, including his most famous works as well as some less well-known. Each is given a different treatment, ranging from illustrated text pieces to full comic strips. Each is of very high quality, making this book highly recommended.

Included in this volume are:

"The Tell-Tale Heart" - My first Edgar Allan Poe story, that I was assigned to read in Jr. High School, is still a provocative and powerful piece. Artist Rick Geary gives us a straight-forward rendition, including a lovingly detailed picture of The Eye.

"King Pest" - A story of plague-ridden London, where two hapless sailors find themselves guests at the table of the King and Queen of pestilence.Anton Emdin's grotesque illustrations add a nice comic flair to the tale.

"The Premature Burial" - A claustrophobic tale of fear of premature burial, and how we often create the demon's that haunt us.Joe Ollman does a splendid job of creating atmosphere, and the panic of being buried alive.

"El Dorado" - This one I liked a lot. A semi-humorous cartoons style brings the point of the sad poem home even more fiercely.

"Spirits of the Dead" - A surrealistic adaptation of a quiet Poe poem, ruminating on death.

"The Imp of the Perverse" - Like "The Tell-tale Heart," a story of the sting of guilt, and how a perfect murder is never as perfect as we would like to think.

"The Raven" - A new adaptation of Poe's masterpiece, this is an assemble version with a different artist doing a different stanza.It comes off beautifully, allowing Poe's words to be the true star of the show.

"The Masque of the Red Death" - A text-and-pictures adaptation,full of the stunning delights of Propero's hidden Bohemia, and the plague of the Red Death that intrudes on their party.

"Never Bet the Devil Your Head" - A wild and funny adaptation of a wild and funny story. An excellent ending.

"Hop-Frog" - The text is presented in its entirety, and the artists is so completely well-suited to this story that I think I will forever see the foolish fat king and his eight fat friends as portrayed by artist Lisa K. Weber.

"The Cask of Amontillado" - My favorite Poe story is well treated, keeping the essential dialog and tension, even while being distilled down to a few pages.

"The Fall of the House of Usher" - Mostly a text-and-pictures piece with some dialog, the artist captures the haunted Roderic Usher's lonely fate. As well as his sisters'. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Great book
Best visual aid could not be this book for those who seek the inspiration for your designs.
Excellent 100% recommended

amazing
amazing book, specially for someone like me who has just started to study graphic design.before ordering it i reviewed several books, and i found this one suitable for first stages.

Im very happy
Im pretty happy with my purchase it comes on time and in good shape to thanks

Great Design Inside Out
I got this book after a VERY long wait (nothing to do with Amazon, Taschen delayed its publication for months and months...) and I could not be happier with it.

The waiting was well worth it, Taschen prints great products and this thick, colorful book is no exception, you get great design from the plastic jacket, to the silky pages that are very well printed (full yellow pages with no banding, WOW!).

About the content:
Interesting, up to date and very pleasing to the eye (even if you're not into graphic design you want to buy this book and have it sit on your coffee table, it looks great as an object too). You get lots of cases/projects from various places and eclectic cultures.

I highly recommend buying this book if you work or want to work in graphic design.

Aldana ... Read more

Product Description
The new student edition of the definitive reference on landscape architecture

Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards, Student Edition is a condensed treatment of the authoritative Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards, Professional Edition. Designed to give students the critical information they require, this is an essential reference for anyone studying landscape architecture and design.

Formatted to meet the serious student's needs, the content in this Student Edition reflects topics covered in accredited landscape architectural programs, making it an excellent choice for a required text in landscape architecture, landscape design, horticulture, architecture, and planning and urban design programs. Students will gain an understanding of all the critical material they need for the core classes required by all curriculums, including:
*

Construction documentation
*

Site planning
*

Professional practice
*

Site grading and earthwork
*

Construction principles
*

Water supply and management
*

Pavement and structures in the landscape
*

Parks and recreational spaces
*

Soils, asphalt, concrete, masonry, metals, wood, and recreational surfaces
*

Evaluating the environmental and human health impacts of materials


Like Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards, this Student Edition provides essential specification and detailing information on the fundamentals of landscape architecture, including sustainable design principles, planting (including green roofs), stormwater management, and wetlands constuction and evaluation. In addition, expert advice guides readers through important considerations such as material life cycle analysis, environmental impacts, site security, hazard control, environmental restoration and remediation, and accessibility.

Visit the Companion web site: wiley.com/go/landscapearchitecturalgraphicstandards ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards, Student Edition
It's really nice to get one for studying Graphic Standards. Compare to an-other book it's short and easy to understand.

LA Graphic Standards
The book as a specific product is very helpful. It has page upon page of useful information for in the field. (and i have been told from an editing committee member that the only difference between the student ed. and professional is some 'fluff' and better paper) overall it's a great tool for any landscape architect, as well as being fairly compact and lightweight for what it is.

Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards
It provides everything it claims to provide.I prefer this book's organization compared to the organization of similar standard books. It's a great quick reference for sport field dimensions and similar details I don't memorize.I know it's accurate and it's at my finger tips.

great resource!
At long last, a definitive reference book on landscape architecture. Especially useful is the section on historic landscapes, which is an excellent summary of this sub-field of landscape architecture.

A very good investment
As another reviewer says, this book is infinitely better organized and user-friendly than Time Saver Standards for LA's while containing all of the same information. I believe that its use to me throughout my career will more than justify its hefty price tag. It should definitely be an addition to any office library. ... Read more

Product Description

Use eye-popping visual tools to energize your people!

Just as social networking has reclaimed the Internet for human interactivity and co-creation, the visual meetings movement is reclaiming creativity, productivity, and playful exchange for serious work in groups.

Visual Meetings explains how anyone can implement powerful visual tools, and how these tools are being used in Silicon Valley and elsewhere to facilitate both face-to-face and virtual group work. This dynamic and richly illustrated resource gives meeting leaders, presenters, and consultants a slew of exciting tricks and tools, including

• Graphic recording, visual planning, story boarding, graphic templates, idea mapping, etc.
• Creative ways to energize team building, sales presentations, staff meetings, strategy sessions, brainstorming, and more
• Getting beyond paper and whiteboards to engage new media platforms
• Understanding emerging visual language for leading groups

Unlocking formerly untapped creative resources for business success, Visual Meetings will help you and your team communicate ideas more effectively and engagingly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

MUST HAVE FOR FACILITATION
EXCELLENT book. You can apply the learnings immediately. I was hooked and read this book in a weekend.

Great book-gets the brain juices moving, but a little repetitive
Awesome book but wish it was a little more instructional or tutorial. Haven't gotten through it all, but I find myself looking for the part where the author explains which visualization tools or illustrations are most appropriate for specific concepts.
A chart or visualization of when to use which tools would be greatly appreciated especially early in th ebook.

A Great Way of Communicating and Presenting Information
This book is going to transform my seminars on project management, which I've been teaching for 30 years. I've asked all of my instructors to read it and use it in their classes. Yesterday I asked the people in my class to draw on a single flipchart page what they had learned in the past two days and to then explain their drawing to the rest of us. It was beautiful! The drawings ranged from crude/clumsy cartoon figures to fairly sophisticated, yet all of them captured the essence of the class. I used to do this years ago, and drifted away from it. Now it will be a part of every class. In fact, I am now calling my seminars Visual Seminars(TM) to stress that this approach makes use of the visual methods taught in David's book.

Great book by a meeting master
David Sibbet knows meetings like nobody else on the planet. He's not just an amazing facilitator, he's part of the team that invented the whole process of meeting facilitation in the 1970's. If you want to transform your meetings, sit down and spend some time with this book; it'll feel like sitting down with Obi-Wan Kenobi -- the Obi-Wan of meetings, that is. Read and be transformed. Then watch your meetings evolve into dynamic, engaging, thought-provoking sessions, as you apply the principles you will learn in this excellent book.

Compelled to Write In about this Book!
I've read a lot of books on group development, process, meeting design, and so on. This time, I feel compelled to write in! I'm in the middle of pouring over 'Visual Meetings' and I LOVE IT! An absolutely well-rounded and TOTALLY useful RESOURCE filled with great ideas and great tips. I feel re-energized in my own passion for helping groups have great meetings as I drink in the richness of real-life experiences and gathered wisdom of the author.THANK-YOU!

... Read more

Product Description
Graphic novel guidance from two experts in the field.

Here is a clear, beginning-to-end guide to creating a graphic novel-from developing a concept to getting it to readers. Heavily illustrated, this book explains the tools used, demonstrates techniques, and offers tricks of the trade. Writers and illustrators alike will find it the best overall introduction to the world of graphic novels.

•New edition features a larger format with expanded illustrations.

•Publishers Weekly reports graphic novel sales in the U.S. and Canada at $375 million in 2007, quintuple sales from 2001, while in 2008, United Press International reports "graphic novel business is booming."

•Well-known author in the graphic novel community, both Eisner Award nominees

... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

The best treatment of the process
Before writing a review, I glanced at some of the 2 and 3 star reviews, so I'm going to address those first:
1. This is an "Idiots" guide, so of course it pretty much covers the basics.If you're looking for advanced topics, you're obviously not the target audience.
2. Basically this is an overview of the process, with each topic covered in a chapter.It mentions references for advanced topics and other sources to get more information.If this book covered everything, it'd be about 5000 pages.

All that said, I've looked at several books on putting together comic books (much of the information here applies to comic books and there is some specific mentions to the non graphic novel step child in this book). This book covers the process the way it should be, from start to finish.Some books I looked at never even looked at the script at all, starting at the 5 elements of visual comic books, for example (Scott McCloud) or penciling and how to draw.This one starts from the beginning and goes through each step in order.

Overall, this is a great starter book.Other references are mentioned for advanced topics (books and websites).There's several references of where to get it printed (bulk or print on demand).They cover thumbnails, artist tools, lettering, etc.Read this first.Then once you have a grasp of the basics, get more specifics via Scott McCloud's book or the mariad of other resources mentioned in the book.For inking, I highly recommend the DC Comics Guide to Inking.The authors of this book mentions a lot of great resources for drawing (ex: Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain, etc).It's no surprise the drawing books mentioned in this book are relatively old as the art of drawing things pretty much haven't changed, even as technology has changed.Most are still in print, however, and they are great resources.

So, to conclude:
1. Get this book first.Read it from cover to cover.Make notes of the other references mentioned throughout the book: other books, websites, software (some which are free).
2. Read those other books second to get more specifics on the subject(s) you're interested in.

One small note: If you are planning on making a comic book instead of a graphic novel, get an ISSN instead of an ISBN.The same ISSN can be used for each issue of the comic and you can get them from free from the government (a bonus!).

Best luck in getting published!

Egotism!?Where!?
Before I continue I'm rather shocked that people find the authors egotistical.So much so I did a double take and made sure the book I read and the book reviewed have the same ISBNs.

But let me reassure you that unless you are super sensitive and able to find insult in everything but the most sugared and sweet of writings, that you will find that Gertler and Lieber are simply people like you and me with a bit more passion and hardened attitudes towards comic-making.The biography short is most likely the cause of readers' ire but this was written by Max Collins, NOT Gertler nor Lieber.Collins doesn't hesitate to list his achievements, but at the same time he feels it's wrong that graphic novels (AKA fat comic books) don't get the press.Perhaps he is using his achievements to demonstrate that comics are a good thing, but that aside he's him and the authors are themselves.

So try not to get this mixed up if you're going to write a scathing review.

Moving on....


~A Veritable Chicken Soup for the Novelists' Soul~
I am currently creating a comic (graphic novel for those who don't mind the term) and there are days where you don't want to talk to me.This book as well as Ellis' Everything guide to writing Graphic Novels is, let's be honest, emotional support and panacea to calm an otherwise stark raving mad lunatic.

Let it be known, that there is no better way to sooth your novelist migraine than to listen to someone who's been through hell and back.This book gives you a rough map of where you need to go and what you need to do along with an example path and how very very very long it'll take you to get there.They also show you work in progresses and techniques that they used to create them.And if you're somewhat far along, it will help give you a sense that you are on the right path when you are taking forever and slaving away on only one page.Not two.One.

However what they do NOT show you the step by step process in those ten, 30, 1000 hours you slave away.This must be a disappointment to many but honestly to write about creation in such depth will easily quadruple this book's size and length.


~Attitude~
This book doesn't go *too* far in this, but as a reviewer I feel compelled to say that this book absolutely adopts the correct attitude one should have when writing a graphic novel.For any artist or writer hoping to take on such a large project, what you need more than anything else is passion and confidence.Passion can never be under-stated as you will need it to mentally block out setbacks, thoughts of naysayers and other negative events in order to focus your energy on something positive (ie how fun it is to research tropical foliage in this scene).Confidence will then go hand in hand with passion to see you through to completion if these negatives actually happen and even affects your current success.

Adopting a confident attitude might seem "egotistical" to some at first glance but this is not so.The reason why people develop a self-centric air about their work is because they need to in order to remain devoted to their work.Successful graphic novelists don't start simply from a good story shmushing it together with good art and put it out on the market with a "hope for the best" attitude.They put forth an incredible amount of effort and time weaving both word and art together into as perfect a product as humanly possible, to only come face to face with potential (and overwhelming) rejection.To overcome these and other potentially soul shattering challenges without so much as a crumb of encouragement, they need to "think big" about their story and continue remaining inspired and motivated to tell it.Along with the time spent to pitch this to prospective audiences and publishers, novelists honestly don't have much time to wonder "if what Jim said was right and I should quit this while I'm still ahead".If you're going to get farther down thepath of a graphic novelist you can't afford to hate your efforts, especially before you've even begun.While what naysayers say may hold water at times, what you should do first and foremost is remain dedicated to your story and never put it down.



~Inflated Egos vs Healthy Self Esteem~
While I personally feel self esteem is crucial, I agree that this has gotten carried away with some artists.For the growing bunch of superstars who feel that they *deserve* the press and views because of their hard work, they've forgotten you, the fan.Novelists who become egotistical cannot stand critique, cannot realize that their fans (not them) are the source of their income, and cannot and will not realize they are wrong.

If you're a fan, I urge you to be careful defending someone like this as it has been proven time and time again that fans are blind enough to follow their obsessions, even if that means off a cliff.A quick glance at recent news will prove this point.

In contrast, the two in this book are level-headed veterans who knows what works for them and what doesn't, while remaining open-minded enough to accept critique and differences.Also throughout the book, even when Steve one advises to do something one way, Nat may heartily disagree and offer an equally valid counterpoint.

In short they encourage growth, not stagnant "this is right that is wrong" manner of thinking while adopting a confidence not often seen in the art world.Having a healthy self esteem doesn't block out critique or differences of opinion but actually encourages it.It does, however, block out self defeating mores that come from the fear of getting a "big head".This is probably why people feel they're egotistical as they're not humble.But if you are set on being a successful novelist, humility shouldn't be your best and strongest trait.Remaining level-headed on the other hand, should be considered a valuable asset.


Lastly....

~Methods must be defined on your own~
While I think this is as perfect as a book can be on this subject matter, it is not perfect for every situation.

This book won't make or detail an example story for you but it will encourage you to continue.It is indeed impossible to write an instructional book that can span every genre, every story and every plot device feasible for someone's story.And there are bound to be differences in how you write or draw versus how they write or draw.

But if you are passionate enough to learn then this will prove to be an inspiration that will help you on those rainy days.The attitudes in here are solid even if the advice is not wholly agreeable.And I feel people who are getting into novel creation must be aware of what true egotism is compared to an appropriate level of self confidence.

Egotism won't save your novel from sliding into obsolescence.Confidence will.

What I was looking for
After 20 years being out of touch with comics and now wanting to get back into it this book provided all I need to get started.

Strong on the basics, but not for the advanced reader
While this is an easy and enjoyable read, it won't have much to offer anyone with more than a basic knowledge of the comic industry and design programs. Obviously this is due, in part, to the fact that you can't explore absolutely every aspect of creating a novel from beginning to end (without it being a 5,000 page book anyway). It offers definitions to keywords, like "protagonist",offers up some exercises in creating an interesting plot, like setting it in another time, and tells you how to use the "stroke" function in photoshop when creating your dialogue bubbles, but if this stuff doesn't sound new you probably won't find much in here. My advice? Read some great graphic novels instead and take notes.

Awesome addition for my collection
Always did want to learn how they did this, this book teaches the basics, very good. ... Read more

Product Description
It was meant to be: The classic fantasy adventure that began the Redwallphenomenon is finally available in a cool graphic format. Illustrated byrenowned comics artist Bret Blevins, Redwall: The Graphic Novel brings tolife all the battles, all the heroes, and all the villains in a fun new formatperfect for reluctant readers, those just entering the Redwall world, or thecountless existing fans of the series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Not much depth but it is Redwall after all
Warriors readers would probably like this, and it is meant for a similar audience. It's part of the story but only part. The art is the best of it.

Fun and entertaining
A fun and entertaining graphic novel! The book has all of the characters, setting and plot of a great action adventure. The black and white illustrations enhanced the story and gave my mind an extra boost of exhilaration. Two thumbs up!

Great story then, a great comic now
I never read the novel version, but I read this and loved the story.I got this as a present to my sister who read and loved the Redwall series.She love the graphic novel version and was happy to say it only slightly abridged the story.A worthwhile read and great buy whether you're new to Redwall or not.I highly recommend it.

Redwall Graphic
A charming addition to the Redwall series.The artwork is excellent and the story is topnotch.This takes me back to the Golden Classic comic books of my childhood.

Retelling A Classic
Having read the original, I had to check out the graphic novel. The art was fantastic and, for the most part, consistent when showing characters in comparison to one another. The original story had to be pared down somewhat, but the end product was still faithful to the spirit of the story. ... Read more

Product Description
First published in 1956, Allen Ginsberg's Howl is a propheticmasterpiece--an epicraging against dehumanizing society that overcame censorship trials and obscenitycharges to become one of the most widely read poems of the century. 

Customer Reviews (1)

The Art Is Not A Good Match for The Poem
I was very intrigued by the idea of creating a graphic novel of this poem.I still am; however I don't believe that this artist's style is a good match for this powerful poem.
The art is quite reminiscent of recent children's animation-- "Polar Bear Express" art and Howl are a very bad mix.Howl needs art that is explosive, colorful and frenetic. I know that this artist has worked on other Allen Ginsberg poems- I have never seen them and they could be great. Given the choice of reading this version of Howl or the City Lights pamphlet version- I would read the pamphlet in a heartbeat. ... Read more

Product Description
Reproducible Templates, Student Samples, and Strategies to Support Every Learner
This valuable resource includes 50 ready-to-go templates, student samples, and step-by-step directions. The organizers are perfect for notetaking, planning, presentation, and review. You'll find organizers for reading, writing, math, social studies, and science. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good reference for teachers and parents.
I am a parent and bought this book for use with my children. I would recommend it to all parents. You never know when it would come in handy.

The BestGraphic Organizer Resource I Have Found
As a reading teacher, I use graphic organizers a great deal with my K-6 students.Although I own several graphic organizer resource books, this is the one I use most often.The organizers are unique, fun, and very easy to use.If you are going to purchase just one graphic organizer resource, this is the one I most highly recommend.

Love It!
I must say that this is one of the better graphic organizer books that I have purchased. I have many of them but this one seems to be one of my tried and true graphic organizer books. I have used it for different stories, different subject areas, and different grade levels. This is a book that will not have time to collect dust! I recommend this book!

What I was looking for
This was a handy little teacher's aide.I used several of the organizers and it was nice to use something premade rather than make them up myself.

Great Resource for Any Teacher
This book is a great resource for any teacher, of any subject.I had it recommended to me in a grad class on reading recovery, but after purchasing it, it's quite apparent that these organizers can be used for any subject and grade level or skill level.The book has some fabulous graphic organizers, as well as suggestions for designing your own organizers, encouraging student-designed organizer use, and more.It also gives some good ideas on how to raise or lower (by grade or skill level) the organizers in the book.Well worth the money! ... Read more

Product Description
The definitive guide to the graphic presentation of information.In today’s data-driven world, professionals need to know how to express themselves in the language of graphics effectively and eloquently. Yet information graphics is rarely taught in schools or is the focus of on-the-job training. Now, for the first time, Dona M. Wong, a student of the information graphics pioneer Edward Tufte, makes this material available for all of us. In this book, you will learn:

• to choose the best chart that fits your data;
• the most effective way to communicate with decision makers when you have five minutes of their time;
• how to chart currency fluctuations that affect global business;
• how to use color effectively;
• how to make a graphic “colorful” even if only black and white are available.

The book is organized in a series of mini-workshops backed up with illustrated examples, so not only will you learn what works and what doesn’t but also you can see the dos and don’ts for yourself. This is an invaluable reference work for students and professional in all fields.

Customer Reviews (16)

Useful book
The book is quite basic, but it is amazing how many basic mistakes we make when trying to present numbers. I like how the author explains why you shouldn't use 3D chart and graphs. It was an easy read.

Great book
I have been doing operations reporting for 5 years, and this book has great tips. I am already implementing some of their recommendations.

Simple, nice and sweet. Good for corporate and financials.

Returned the book
This book is a very simplistic, basic, re-statement of concepts found in Edward Tufte's excellent book, "Visual Display of Quatitative Information" (which is 5 stars).This is not a useful reference book.
Specifically:
1. Book does not acknowledge that most data graphics will be done usine Microsoft Excel.In fact, this book recommends design that cannot be done with graphing software-- designs that must be done in a graphic software such as Adobe Illustrator, Powerpoint, etc.
2.Book is very biased towards newspaper printing of graphs.
3.Book does not mention that very often graphs are viewed jointly in a presentation and referred to verbally.The book's suggestions on color shading of data element make it impossible to refer to verbally-- if you followed the book, you'd have 4 shades or the same color for bars in a graph-- how would you refer to one specific bar when talking about the graph?Although it is sometimes gaudy, using distince contrasting primary colors makes it easy to refer to data elements in the graph, e.g., "The red bar shows..."
4.Book suggests using log scale.Not only do log scales distort data, who really understands them?NOT recommended by graphics professionals seeking to communicate with the masses.
5.Book suggests using spider graphs.I among those who think they look chaotic and do not communicate well at all.NOT recommended.
6.Book cover violates directive in the book to use white font when placing type on dark background.
7.Book is heavily biased towards display of financial information.

Wrong positioning
This is a good book, just like many other infographics book. But a basic problem: This book is to hard for beginner and to little for professional.

Simply Great
Simple, clear, concise, to the point, very practical...

This book is just a GREAT quick reference guide for those wanting to make the most of their data. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Macbeth Graphic Novel Original Text edition
This was a funand interesting way to read required books for my son.

a great way to interest your kids inMacbeth!
I am pleased with my purchase. The pictures are rich,colorful, and full of detail. The book succeeds in portraying Macbeth in a simplistic way, for a reader who is not yet familiar with any plays by Shakespeare and/ or too young to understand the original text without pictures. The beginning of the book shows the pictures of the different characters involved in the story.
After the end of the story, there are additional historical descriptions, details of theater, and even how the pictures for the graphic novel are made. I bought this book to introduce my boys (ages 10, 12, & 14) to Shakespeare. After they are comfortable with the story, I will transition them to the original text. My book was shipped and sold by Amazon. The book was new, as described, and arrived in perfect condition.

From an English teacher
As an English teacher, I'm always looking for means to show my students different ways to look at literature. My main intent to order this one was because it maintained the original text...which it does. Other than that it doesn't do much special. I've found some other graphic novel for other works that made some bold statements with THE IMAGES; this one doesn't...the graphics are pretty straight forward and concretely consistent. The most unique thing I can show with this one is how it pares down an entire chapter to one spread in the book. The artwork is nice, but doesn't leap off the page; and when it does leap of the page, it is a bit comical...like the witches.

the sticking place
As a high school English tutor, I am always looking for ways to make Shakespeare more exciting for my students. The graphic novel format, and this version in particular, is a super way to bring Macbeth to life, with all its guts, blood, betrayal, and witchery.
My high school senior student loved the excellent illustrations, and they really helped him understand the language. This is not a "dumbed down" version of Shakespeare at all; this is the original text, and the graphics make it much easier to understand and absorb. Even if you're not an educator, get this graphic novel and be prepared to really appreciate one of the masterful tragedies in the canon.

Outstanding and accessible
This is a brilliantly illustrated and faithfully rendered version of the classic play. The plain text is very close to the original, just easier for the modern reader to follow. The classic parts are unchanged. My teenagers grabbed the book as soon as they saw it and couldn't wait to take it to school. The artwork enhances the play, and if you can't get to a good production, this is a very good way to get an introduction. ... Read more

Product Description
In a series of illuminating and entertaining conversations, twenty-one of today's most influential and revered designers discuss, celebrate, and analyze their craft. Adeptly interviewed by brand consultant and talk show host Debbie Millman, these designers reveal their early influences, day-to-day rituals, enthusiasms, aspirations, and failures. For pop-culture enthusiasts as well as longtime designers, students and those just starting their careers, this book will prove an invaluable guide to the history, controversies, milestones, and everyday foibles of working, living, and thinking as a graphic designer. How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer includes interviews with:

Milton GlaserPaula ScherPeter SavilleChip KiddStefan SagmeisterMichael BierutCarin GoldbergNeville BrodyEmily Oberman & Bonnie SieglerJames VictoreJohn MaedaPaul SahreJessica HelfandSeymour ChwastLucille TenazasVaughan OliverSteff GeissbuhlerStephen DoyleAbbott MillerMassimo Vignelli ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

This woman knows how to ask a question.
And the interviewees give interesting, thoughtful, insightful answers. Very worth your time to learn more about these designers through Millman's compilation.

Inspiring, Humanizing, Insightul
While the book won't give you a step by step guide on how to think, it does offer intimate insights into the minds of many of today's most successful and influential graphic designers. Delivered in a friendly question and answer format, the book is very easy to read and digest. It offers every young designer a chance to obtain valuable "jewels" of wisdom and perspective from seasoned working professionals who have earned the right to be called great graphic designers.

Talk about not judging a book by its cover!
The title is all wrong! This is NOT a 'how to' book and it does not teach you how to think like a designer. I wish the title were not so deceptive.

Having said that, what it is, is a mesmerising collection of interviews with 20 well-known names in the world of design... Milton Glaser, Peter Saville, Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Bierut, Neville Brody to name a few. It is an absolutely delightful read.

At the end of the day, you may not learn anything from reading this book(what with one designer contradicting the other), but what you do get is realization that there isn't one single formula that makes a designer... they're all so different and unique in their thinking and their methods.

(This book would be a 5-star, but I HAD to deduct a star for the wrong title!)

A pleasure to read
The biggest flaw of this book is maybe it's title. It makes it sound like a cheap "how to..." book, making you think you'll be told some sort of very secret graphic design techniques. The book however is a collection of interviews with some of the best designers nowadays. Some funny, some eye-opening, some already classic and maybe some even out-dated, all of them are a pleasure to read, that's for sure.

It's like being a fly on the wall
This book peers into the world of who's who in the graphic design profession. To a graphic design student, these luminaries are like the mythological Greek gods and goddesses of whom unyielding worshipers pay endless homage to. But you're in for a surprise, because in addition to them sharing their success stories and process, they become mere mortals as they also share their shortcomings, insecurities and vulnerabilities--causing them to appear that much more real, human, and "approachable". We see what makes them tick and what ignites their passion for design. There seems to be a common thread among many of the interviewed designers in the book--that they constantly re-evaluate and question their own work--just as any budding or seasoned designer does.

It's a relatively quick read. You can easily get immersed in the content, as it is very engaging. When reading, each designer's personality leaps off the page. You can get a sense of who the ego-maniacal type-A people are--who seek objective approval or validation of their work--and who the far less self-centered ones are, as they are not interested in "proving" themselves worthy of being called a designer. Some designers appear confident and overzealous, while some seem to be weathered and despondent. Overall, it's a good balance. ( sidebar: Chip Kidd is pure comedy gold!)

After reading this book, I would feel more comfortable initiating a conversation with Paula Scher if I randomly bumped into her in an elevator, or subway platform, rather then get all choked up in awe and fumble my words.

The book appropriately closes with an emotionally charged interview with Massimo Vignelli, which put quite simply is hilarious! Vignelli is funny without trying to be funny. I found myself laughing out loud as I imagined him in his well intentioned, passive, yet comically dismissive Italian accent as he repeatedly proclaims his disdain for vulgarity in design. His playful, yet calculated madness is palpable. Wonderful!

This book won't teach you graphic design, nor does it claim to. It merely offers insight into the world of graphic design's usual suspects, and then some.

Highly recommended for students, professors, designers and design enthusiasts alike.

Bravo Debbie!

... Read more

Product Description
Two classic drawing textbooks from anAmericancomics pioneer,revised and enhanced for a new generation.Based on Will Eisner’s legendary course at New York’s School of Visual Arts, these guides haveinspired generationsof artists, students,teachers, and fans. In Comics and Sequential Art, Eisner reveals thebasic building blocksandprinciples of comics, including imagery, theframe, and the application of time,space, andvisual forms.Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative teaches how to control astory effectively usinga broad array of techniques.With examples from Eisner’s own catalog and suchmasters as H. Foster, R. Crumb, ArtSpiegelman, Milton Caniff, AlCapp, and George Herriman,these books distill the art of graphic storytelling into principles that every comicartist, writer,and filmmaker should know. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative
This is the bible on making graphic novels. Will Eisner is the true master of the craft. The guy was a true genius! If you are thinking of writing/drawing a graphic novel, read this book.

Useful tips for the beginner artists
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3MNY0NX2LDI3M Telling a good story is an incredibly difficult. In this book, Will Eisner shares with readers some of things to be aware of when tackling storytelling using comics.

He talks about techniques to use to help build a more convincing story. This would include comic tools like lettering, building momentum, using visual clues and writing. Examples include how props (i.e. guns) are held to reveal human characteristics.

There are lessons on how to engage readers, how readers think and mistakes to avoid. These are followed with lots of comic strip examples -- including a selection from different comic artists. Unfortunately, they aren't captioned page by page like it was done on his other books. The comic examples are great, you know it but you don't know why they work.

The book doesn't really go in depth into all aspects of storytelling. There's no talk on character development, story arcs, conflict management and specific story elements and tools.

Overall, this is still a very useful book for anyone who's just starting out and thinking of drawing their own comics.

(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

An excellent reference for comic book artists!
great reference book. love it for it's content. don't expect to get through it in a day or two, though. it's definately a text book written for teaching. chock full of awesome illustrations and clear, easy to grasp content.

Mater Piece
the title talk itself, Will Eisner is a master, he never enter to the universe of the spandex heroes, if you don't like the espandex, or you try to understand the comics, or not only comics, visual narrative inself, this is your book.

4 out of 5
First off, Eisner does a great job of combining visual elements with his text in this book. The whole thing is illustrated with cavemen working on their storytelling technique, and I have to admit that the cavemen illustrations were great fun and always helped to clarify the how side of what he was saying in the text. Beautifully done. (Yes, I know, this is like saying, "Hey, y'know that Hemingway guy? Some of his stories were really good.")

Does it have any issues? Yes. It's 164 heavily illustrated pages. You can read it in an afternoon. And some of the illustrative pieces feel over-long for the point they are trying to prove. I hit the point on a couple of them where I found myself saying, "Yes, I get it. We needed the X in the beginning so we would understand Y now. Can we move on?" I also felt that, at 164 pages, he didn't really have the opportunity to go into depth on some areas. There's a point where he provided two bad examples of a comic script... and no good example. Aaaaah!

Even with those issues in mind, I have to give the book 4 caped crime-fighters out of five. It's well-written (though there are also some grammatical gaffs that make me want to scream), it's engaging, and it's instructive. Worth the read. ... Read more

Product Description
They have become a phenomenon. The Alex Rider adventures are nowbestsellers the world over, and the book that started it all, Stormbreaker, issoon to be a major motion picture. Now is your chance to see this bookvisualized in a brand-new format, with bold, edgy, manga-like illustrationsthat bring Alex Rider to life in a way not seen before. For existing fans ofthe series, this graphic novel will be a must-have; for those yet to discoverStormbreaker, this will be the perfect introduction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Alex Rider Gets Even Better!
The classic Alex Rider novel, the first in this popular series, gets even better in this graphic novel format.Great for fans of the novels, and for reluctant readers who find the original novels a little too taxing or not interesting enough.Teenager Alex Rider is introduced to a whole world of spies and spy technology and learns that he has a talent for the business.My 10 year old didn't love the original novels, but ate these graphic versions up!

The Teenage James Bond
Action, adventure, and just plain being a spy- these are the things Stormbreaker has. If you enjoy that, this is the book for you. Anthony Horowitz does a great job of keeping you reading by building tension, though at certain times it gets a little boring. Other than that, though, it's a wonderful book.
Stormbreaker is the starting book to the Alex Rider series, all about a teenager who ends up becoming a spy.MI6 needs to use a kid to spy on a company-owner who they think might be up to something, and of course MI6 uses him. The rest is for you to read.
Also, Stormbreaker had been made into a major motion picture, so it's got to be pretty famous, right? If you read the book and you like it, you should see the movie next. I've read every book in the Alex Rider series, and just as a warning some of the books are a little bit gory. Although Stormbreaker isn't too much at all, and that's one of the reasons I think this one is the best.

Well done and easy to read
A lot of the graphic novels have poorly done illustrations and text that are hard to read, but this series is very well done with colorful artwork and clear text. All three of my kids have enjoyed the series (ages 10 to 14). They kept turning pages.

Great summer read for reluctant middle school boy
My rising sixth grade son could not put down Stormbreaker: The Graphic Novel (Alex Rider) and read it in one day.He felt so good about himself, having completed the book effortlessly that he went on to read a more challenging book, Freak, the Mighty, Freak The Mighty (Scholastic Signature).He was even willing to work on the school required book report without protest.

The almost-ideal counterpart to the OPERATION STORMBREAKER DVD
I love well-done graphic novels, and while I'm a much more frequent browser of them than a buyer of them, I had to buy this when I bought the DVD ALEX RIDER: OPERATION STORMBREAKER. Even if this graphic novel had turned out to be average, I think it would've been worth the purchase. As it happens, I think it's top-notch (just as the cover thumbnail intimated to me), and it's the almost-ideal written counterpart to the DVD. The artistic style, while based on manga, still retains more than enough Western characteristics to suit a Western character and a Western literary genre, and the well-written text fills in some details that aren't found in the DVD.

Alex Rider (in the graphic novels even more than in the movie and in the novels) resembles a literary alter ego of my own so uncannily that I sometimes think Anthony Horowitz must've been peeking at my notes. In truth, it's obvious that we've been drawing upon the same archetypes independently, only a generation apart (meaning I was doing it twenty years before he was, when I was Alex's age and even younger). ... Read more

Product Description
For designers working in every medium, layout is arguable the most basic and most important element. Effective layout is essential to communication and enables the end user to not only be drawn in with an innovative design but to digest information easily.

Making and Breaking the Grid is a comprehensive layout design workshop that assumes that to effectively break the rules of grid-based design one must first understand those rules and see them applied to real-world projects.

Text reveals top designers' work in process and rationale. Projects with similar characteristics are linked through a simple notational system that encourages exploration and comparison of structure ideas. Also included are historical overviews that summarize the development of layout concepts, both grid-based and non-grid based, in modern design practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

Disappointed
I had a lot of problems with this book (a) one would expect a book with the words "Making the Grid" in it's title to include some process steps that move the reader from a blank sheet and a project through an analysis needs, the construction of a grid, and then its elaboration - you can find none of that! (b) This book spends moments in paragraphs mentioning what I thought should have been graphically illustrated as an early starting point. (c) It is ultimately a showcase of other peoples finished work with a light treatment of the underlying grid (if any), but not much insight on how or why. (d) Much of this boils down to "designer's decision" without much more thought or forwarding. (e) the light condensed type on white and against some of the backgrounds make it hard to read while in motion (on the bus at night NY to NJ). (f) Even the brief treatment of each the examples left me feeling disconnected.

Written in annoying design speak
A colleague of mine had this book and I decided to check it out. I've been a designer for over 15 years and have never been so bored reading about what I do for a living. The author chooses to abuse "design speak" rather than communicate simple design concepts.

Example: "In all of these compositions the designers have relied on their senses of placement, scale, movement, and color to intuitively orchestrate visual qualities within the respective formats."

If I ever say "intuitively orchestrate visual qualities" in a sentence you have permission to drag me into the street and beat my ass with a tire iron.

If you are interested in design and want a book that is written in an accessible way I suggest this: http://www.amazon.com/Systems-Graphic-Systeme-Visuele-Gestaltung/dp/3721201450

Not what i expected
I purchased this book because I wanted a good introduction and basic education on grids. How to make them, how to work them. But this book, seems to just talk about grids, a documentation on grids, the history, lots of examples and things of that nature. The book is hard to read. The text is in grey for some reason. This book is good for someone who already is familiar with grids and wants to study lots of example of grid work. But if you want to learn to make and use grids, this book does not serve that purpose, Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Niggli does that.

Just Enough Guidance to Get Started
Bear in mind that this is the first (and only so far) book that I've read on this topic. I bought this because I was looking for a text to 1. Introduce me to the principles of grid design and 2. Provide examples of good grid work as well as an explanation of WHY it is good grid work.

Having said that, this book gave me pretty much exactly what I was looking for. The first part goes over the history of grids and includes some comments on typography and it's importance. A bit classroom style but easily skipped if you get bored. The second section of the text quickly and effectively describes the main grid formats and the elements involved in grid layout. Great, concise, and effective. The demo section is broken again into two sections. The first focuses on examples following grid laws, and the second focuses on breaking grid laws. I've honestly got more than enough inspiration from the first section alone and the best thing about their examples is that them seem easy to replicate and adapt to my own work. I've used their templates for some recent projects and the results came out great. For the price I'd seriously recommend this just based on the samples provided.

In summary:
- A quick read
- Straightforward sections and explanations
- Good collection of examples
- Good Source of inspiration (especially for those just starting out)
- Reasonable price considering the other points.

Excellent layout; poor choice of type
For all his expertise in typography, the author fails one of the biggest tests: readable type. Gray type on a gray background makes for a tedious struggle and creates unnecessary eyestrain. This is a huge negative that only points out that all too often designers either don't read or don't care about communicating ideas through words. The layout of the book is fabulous, but I'm sorely disappointed in the typography. Bummer! ... Read more

Product Description
Graphic designers like to be creatively challenged. The design briefs in The Graphic Design Exercise Book act as sparks to fire your creativity and exercises to broaden your skill set. As prompts for developing your own personal projects they can lead to unexpected developments and revitalized portfolios, helping you break into new and lucrative areas of the design industry.

Each brief is illustrated with inspiring reference material providing a visual resource that can be utilized well beyond this book. Sample roughs and visuals show work in progress to give you an insight into the thought processes and creative bent of other designers. Industry insiders share their specialist knowledge, offering professional advice on a selection of fully realized projects.

Product Description

"Never before have I seen a nonfiction book as beautifully and compellingly written and illustrated as The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation.I cannot recommend it too highly.It will surely set the standard for all future works of contemporary history, graphic or otherwise, and should be required reading in every home, school and library." --Stan Lee

---

A Statement on The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation
by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón
The cave paintings in Altamira, Spain, tell stories. Mostly they tell tales of the hunt. Drawn during the Paleolithic Stone Age, they still amaze us with their lucidity and directness. As an artist, and as an editor and writer in the graphic medium, we each pay homage to those delineators and interpreters of experience. They offered accounts of what happened and provided a way of remembering, honoring, and learning. When retold by the fire's flickering light, these stories must have lent the drawings a compelling, virtual movement. There is something eerie, but deeply gratifying, in knowing that a direct line runs from our contemporary comic art to these earliest efforts to record and convey what happened. Storyteller, audience, drawings depicting continuity of event: it all sounds familiar. In a culture that has become the most visually oriented in the history of humankind, comics retain the original concept of storytelling and remain a potent force of information. Read more

---

Excerpts from The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation

---

Timeline of Terror

American Airline Flight 11 (AA 11) Boston to Los Angeles • 7:59: Takeoff • 8:14: Last routine radio communication; likely takeover • 8:19: Flight attendant notifies AA of hijacking • 8:21: Transponder is turned off • 8:23: AA attempts to contact the cockpit • 8:25: Boston Center aware of hijacking • 8:38: Boston Center notifies NEADS of hikacking • 8:46: NEADS scrambles Otis fighter jets in search of AA 11 • 8:46:40: AA 11 crashes into 1 WTC (North Tower) • 8:53: Otis fighter jets airborne • 9:16: AA headquarters aware that Flight 11 has crashed into WTC • 9:21: Boston Center advises NEADS that AA 11 is airborne heading for Washington • 9:24: NEADS scrambles Langley fighter jets in search of AA 11

United Airline Flight 175 (UA 11) Boston to Los Angeles • 8:14: Takeoff • 8:42: Last routine radio communication • 8:42-8:46: Likely takeover • 8:47: Transponder code changes • 8:52: Flight attendant notifies UA of hijacking • 8:54: UA attempts to contact the cockpit • 8:55: New York Center suspects hijacking • 9:03:11: Flight 175 crashes into 2 WTC (South Tower) • 9:15: New York Center advises NEADS that UA 175 was the second aircraft crashed into WTC • 9:20: UA Headquarters aware that Flight 175 had crashed into WTC

American Airline Flight 7 (AA 77) Washington, DC to Los Angeles • 8:20: Takeoff • 8:51: Last routine radio communication • 8:51-8:54: Likely takeover • 8:54: Flight 77 makes unauthorized turn to south • 8:56: Transponder is turned off • 9:05: AA headquarters aware that Flight 77 is hijacked • 9:25: Herndon Command Center orders nationwide ground stop • 9:32: Dulles tower observes radar of fast-moving aircraft (later identified as AA 77) • 9:34: FAA advises NEADS that AA 77 is missing • 9:37:46: AA 77 crashes into the Pentagon • 10:30: AA headquarters confirms Flight AA crash into Pentagon

United Airline Flight 93 (UA 93) Newark to San Francisco • 8:42: Takeoff • 9:24: Flight 93 receives warning from UA about possible cockpit intrusion • 9:27: Last routine radio communication • 9:28: Likely takeover • 9:34: Herndon Command Center advises FAA headquarters that UA 93 is hijacked • 9:36: Flight attendant notifies UA of hijacking; UA attempts to contact the cockpit • 9:41: Transponder is turned off • 9:57: Passenger revolt begins • 10:03:11: Flight 93 crashes in field in Shanksville, PA • 10:07: Cleveland Center advises NEADS of UA 93 hijacking • 10:15: UA headquarters aware that Flight 93 has crashed in PA; Washington Center advises NEADS that Flight 93 has crashed in PA

---

... Read more

Customer Reviews (64)

Great adaption
This is a great book for understanding communication issues in organizations, and how they can lead to disastrous results. A great read for any business student, made much more interesting through the graphic novel format. This has inspired a number of business relevant graphic novel works such as Atlas Black: Managing to Succeed

In the houses of shadow.
AS ALL of the books in all of the histories of the world weigh in the minds of human, this awful 'graphic novel' will hold as example of the indoctrinative process in operation.Perception management at comic level .
That the 911 commission report has been found fabricated and inept is now understood by academic studies of the 911 event. It has been found so, and called so by members of the commission itself.
A comic book made to shadow the ridiculous commission report is itself, by definition, ridiculous.No matter who finances it, writes it, draws it or sanctions it.
As a graphic work, it is moribund. traced in memory only by a thread of outrage toward its insidious political design. A true collectors piece.

Interesting and Creative Take on Famous Material
This is an interesting take in an already published and very famous material. The 9/11 report sumarizes the findings of the Presidential Comission on the awful events of September 11th and in this book, those findings are shown in a comic-form. Ernie Colon is at his best illustrating the book, which is both informative and entertaining. In the downside, no at all data is suitable for this exercise, specially the epilogue and the comission's conclusions.
I'm no 9/11 specialist so I don't know if any of all the conspiracy theories that had been posted here are true or not, but if anything, the report clearly shows a lack of integrated communication in the responte to 9/11 events.
Overall, and interesting read and an original way to present it.

I Read This Every Sept. 11
It's hard to describe how I feel about this graphic novel except it's very special to me. It's on a shelf in my office at work and I re-read it every Sept. 11. While there's a lot of after-the-fact analysis covered by the report, the graphic novel also does a superior job of capturing the emotion that 9/11 evoked in much of the nation the day of the attack.

I would recommend The 9/11 Report for anyone who wants a concise, easy-to-understand way to remember what happened on Sept. 11 and how to best prevent such a massive failure in federal response. The 9/11 Report is a very serious book done in a contemporary style - but the art in no way diminishes the message contained here.

Revolting
Colon is a fine comics artist, has been for years. But you open the book and, sure enough, the name of the game is Blame it on the Arabs/Muslims. The writer of this adaptation is of the very community who should not be involved in the 9/11 investigation. Sorry, they don't get "to document the event" any longer, as their dancing van boys did. I'm not endorsing Charlie Sheen but most of his questions for Obama are appropriate. The families of the victims DO want the investigation to be reopened, and did you also know that 6 of the 10 original commission members now express huge doubts about the whole endeavor? ... Read more