Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Handwriting Analysis

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a professional handwriting analyst, I am often asked to recommend a book on the subject. Until now, I have had trouble finding any one book to suggest to everyone. At last! This book provides the most accurate and comprehensive information on handwriting for the novice or intermediate, and does it so entertainingly that I read the whole book myself (and was surprised to learn a thing or two).

There are many very good handwriting analysis books that are too advanced or too narrow for the beginner. Unfortunately, some of the most readable books on the topic are not comprehensive or are simplistic, and some, such as Bart Baggett's work, strike me and some of my colleagues as inaccurate or misleading in places. The CIGHA is a book I can recommend enthusiastically to teenagers and human resources professionals, to senior citizens and therapists.

Professional handwriting analysts know Sheila Lowe as one of the top analysts in the country, a leader in the field and the publisher of a professional newsletter, but until now, we never realized the extent of her talents as a writer.

After taking a handwriting course for certification, then the master's course, in Graphoanalysis, I still felt there was so terribly much missing. When reading Sheila's book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Handwriting Analysis" I realized that this was what had been missing. To think I hadn't bought it sooner because I thought it was just the same old thing! This book makes handwriting analysis very understandable. While it gets right to the point, it still hold's one's interest, is entertaining and yet very educational. I hated the book to end. I only wish I could have read it twenty years ago. It is the best handwriting book I've ever read.

Gwen Eck, MGA

Am a handwriting analysis consultant. I enjoy helping my clients/friends understand themselves and their personal and business acquaintances better through hwa. This book by Sheila Lowe has been invaluable in my career personally and professionally; much needed--too many hwa books available that are not based on sound principles that really WORK; this one does. Surprisingly, it is easy to undertand and enjoyable to read even though the content is comprehensive and somewhat complex; the clear presentation of information and lively graphics help, they are nice additions that keep the reader interested when they really want to know how hwa WORKS. My clients are always amazed at its accuracy. It is also excellent as a reputable reference guide, as well as study guide for those who are really serious about learning, in the 'write' way, more about this amazing field of human understanding. I use Ms. Lowe's computerized program (RI Software) and it is also very accurate and one of the BEST I have ever used; the feedback from clients/friends is positive. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Handwriting Analysis", I personally feel, is the BEST book about hwa on the shelves! Thank you for reading this review; hope you enjoy the book as much as I have. By My Hand, from New Jersey.

As far as I can tell, Sheila Lowe has managed to cover every facet of hanwriting analysis in the clearest, cleverest and most concise way. It reads so well you hardly notice you are learning and losing your Idiot's status. Are there books that go further in depth about each aspect of hwa? Certainly, and if you want to study further, Ms Lowe includes the needed information for you... but this book will give you a good all around basic hw education.I've been a graphologist for 36 years and have an extensive library but this is the book I now recommend with confidence, for anyone wanting to understand how handwriting analysis works. Good samples, useful info and great writing style...my hat's off to her.

The Complete Idiot's Guide To Handwriting Analysis is for beginners and professionals. My handwriting analysis library was enhanced by this unique publication. It leads the student through clear, understandable steps, while giving the professional one of the best reference books on the subject. Sheila Lowe and June Canoles are two of the top names in this field.

After reading just about all the most popular tracts on Graphology one has to say that this 456 page tome is the most complete in content and the most thorough in explanation and examples. Yet it is also an inviting page-turner filled with lively side boxes called Tales from the Quill, Fine Points, and Chicken Scratch! This a serious but light-hearted treatment of a complex but enjoyable subject.

Though Sheila Lowe is obviously an expert she doesn't tout herself as a know-it-all. Instead she uses frequent quotes from other experts in Handwriting Analysis and even recomends some of their books for additional study. She keeps her wit and sense of humor throughout, is not defensive, and is not trying to oversell the product as a miracle cure or a get-rich-quick scheme.

Ms. Lowe started as a 18 yr. old student and studied long and hard, including courses in Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. After becoming Certified, she specialized in Forensics and Consulting. She is ubiquetous on the Web...just Google her name and you will get over one hundred results!

The section on the History of Graphology is detailed and includes nearly all the major players in the field, from 1621 to the present. Sheila's coverage seems unbiased but there is a definate emphasis in the German or Gestalt Method (big picture and surroundings) rather than just the French Atomistic Method (identifying traits through specific letters and strokes) but the Graphoanalysis (business) movement is left out. This is not a big detriment because she is comprehensive in explaining all the important elements: size, presssure, rhythm, slant, strokes, space, zones, borders, style, speed, connections, etc., and their corresponding personality traits...both positive and negative.

There are informative sections on Self Analysis, Graphotherapy, Legal Aspects (privacy, testimony), How to Write a Personality Profile or Professional Analysis, Computer Programs, and Ethical Considerations. There are lots of examples of the handwriting and signatures of famous people (and infamous characters), an excellent Glossary, Index, Bibliography, and list of Schools and Organizations.

In summary, this is a hefty volume but would make an excellent choice for the beginner or a great textbook for a teacher or group leader. The author's accomplishment should go a long way toward making Handwriting Analysis as acceptable in America as it is in the rest of the world. By studying (not just reading) this book, and pracitcing your skills, you will learn a lot about the amazing science of Graphology...and also about your true inner self (not just the mask we present to the public).

Bill Reitter
Cape May, NJ

Notwithstanding the title ... this book is anything but a quick introduction into handwriting analysis ... As the author says ... "this is not your usual amaze and amuse your friends and neighbours type of handwriting analysis book."

This book is comprehensive, detailed - and requires reading with concentration ...

The author begins with the history and development of Graphology ... She explains why & how Graphology works, the difference between the French 'atomistic' and the German 'gestalt' method of analysing handwriting ... she even tackles the ethics and morality of analysing someone's handwriting ...

Ms. Lowe takes the reader through all the elements of Graphology ... space, margins, baseline, the 3 zones, size, rhythm, connectivity, slant ... etc.

What distinguishes this book, is the depth and information provided. Each handwriting element is explored in detail, accompanied by plenty of illustrations, quick tips and anecdotes.

The author explains how handwriting analysis is a combination of examining each alphabet and stroke as well as viewing the handwriting as a whole as it appears on a sheet of paper, how one element or characteristic of handwriting may be counterbalanced or enhanced by other elements ... The reader is gradually taken from a basic to a finer understanding of handwriting analysis.

A good book. Great value.

I've studied handwriting analysis for years, but this has been the most understandable overall view I've seen. It has plenty of examples. I like the author's professional attitude and ethics and appreciate her gestalt approach. She also seems to use common-sense explanations that make analysis easy to understand and even easier to do. A great start for a beginner!

This book is great...fun and easy-to-read, yet comprehensive enough to learn quite a bit about graphology. The approach Sheila takes is clear and concise, with many practical examples for the beginning and intermediate handwriting analyst. I'd recommend the book to anyone interested in learning this fascinating subject.

This was my first book on the subject of handwriting analysis, and it's still my favorite. I couldn't describe the book better or praise it any higher than has already been done by the preceding reviews. It is absorbing, fun, fascinating, easy to read, a thorough and professional introduction to the field.

I do have a recommendation to add, though.

"Sheila Lowe" isn't simply a name on a book; she is an author who is accessible to the reader. She has taken time to reply by phone and by email to a couple of questions I've had. For students who are new to graphology, such opportunity for direct contact is invaluable.