29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Advanced? No. Good? No., January 6, 2003
This review is from: Advanced Origami: More than 60 Fascinating and Challenging Projects for the Serious Folder (Paperback)
Like other reviewers have stated, this book doesn't come even close to being targeted toward advanced folders. In fact, I'm sure most beginners could pick up this book and fold pretty much anything in it.
Yes, there are some practical models, but these are mediocre at best.
My main complaint is the way the author "cheats" on his models. Many, many, many models use odd sized paper (yeah, this maybe okay occasionaly, but he uses this too often.) By using non-square paper, the author is either trying to make it easier on the reader (Why? Isn't this an "advanced" book) or, more likely, is trying to cover up his ineptness at folding.
What is even more frustrating is his liberal use of the "scissors" icon, signalling the folder to cut a portion of the paper during the folding process. Not only is this a slap in the face to true folders, but it is just another way the author is "cheating." For example, the model for the grasshopper requires the folder to, get this, literally cut out legs and antennae! Yes, insects and other many-legged creatures can be difficult to fold, but 1)this is an "advanced" book and 2)to me at least, if you're cutting the paper to make legs, you are no longer in the realm of "origami."
Finally, despite what other reviewers have said, I don't think the diagrams are all that great nor are the pictures that beautiful. You are much better off buying any other origami book than this.
One more thing...WAY too many paper airplanes!
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For practical users, 5 stars. For others, 3 stars., February 5, 2001
This review is from: Advanced Origami: More than 60 Fascinating and Challenging Projects for the Serious Folder (Paperback)
I agree with Alan's review above, the title of this book is very misleading. When I first got this book I was quite disappointed that the designs here are not advanced. In fact, they are too easy to fold for advanced and experianced folders (for me they only ranked at too-easy to intermediate level). But just forget about it and then I find this book contains the richest practical origami models in a single book so far. These wonderful models are collected in the first half of the book. We can learn how to fold a purse, a clip holder, a booknote, a bookmarker, etc. In fact now my clipholder and bookmarker are folded as this book did by myself. In my opinion this part is this book's (true) merit. Models in the latter half are a bit trite and too easy. If you are interested on the practical usage of origami, this is a 5 star book. If not, this is only 3 stars. So take an average, 4 stars ^^
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good book, not so good title, January 30, 2001
This review is from: Advanced Origami: More than 60 Fascinating and Challenging Projects for the Serious Folder (Paperback)
This is a pretty good book, mostly focused on "practical" origami, with models such as envelopes, wallets, letter holders, etc. These models are fairly nice and useful as well. The few animal models are un-inspired and better versions can be found elsewhere.
There are some nice photographs and the diagrams are pretty good.(although non-standard notation does pop-up)
The title however is VERY misleading. This is an advanced-beginner to intermediate-level book.
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