Customer Reviews

Kites

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am basing this review on an edition of this book (published by Penguin and previously called the Penguin Book of Kites) which I have owned for more than twenty years.

This is a wonderful book for both the beginning kite flyer/maker and for those with more experience. It starts with the basics: types of kites, how to launch and fly them (like why you SHOULDN'T run with a kite to launch it), and continues on to materials, methods and many plans for kites. From your basic diamond-shaped kite to deltas to dragons (long-tailed) to box kites to fighting kites to stunt kites to multi-celled "snowflake" and parafoil kites, it has enough to keep you busy for many years.

In a word, this book is COMPREHENSIVE, and if you only own one kite book (and I own many) this is an excellent choice. My old edition is falling apart at the seams from overuse, and I am truly thankful that this book has finally been re-issued (after 24 years). I'm getting a new one right away!

This book is, without question, an exemplary work on the fascinating topic of kites. This work explores their history in detail and should certainly be in the library of anyone who is interested in the subject.

Sadly, there are some problems with this book that are certainly unrelated to its content but, due to their ability to interfere with reading it, must be mentioned here. Never, and I mean this literally, have I ever read a book which was published using such incredibly small type and my vision certainly isn't that bad. The type used is so small that it's almost impossible to read much without getting distracted. Furthermore, the type used for captions to the many great photographs and drawings is even smaller. Then, to compound matters, the ink used for text reflects light in such a way that one can only read the book when positioned properly. According to the cover pages, the book was printed in China and, I don't know if they used poor printing techniques or where just trying to save money but this book is, without question, the most poorly published I've ever come across. About my only criticism regarding the content of this book is that it could use a quick edit as there are few items that get annoying very quickly; in particular, the author's (or editor's) decision to use the metric system (nothing wrong with that, per se) but that those measurements are consistently then provided using the imperial system with that number being preceded with the word "say." For example, the kite measured one meter (say 1.09 yards), etc. The strange use of the word "say" (which often appears several times on a page) gets to be really irritating.

Granted, this review is rather different but the poor publishing and editing decisions greatly interfere with what would otherwise be an incredible book.

Wow, this book is really neat. It starts out with a fascinating history of kites and winds up with actual kite plans. The history section includes lots of interesting facts I've never heard before. It begins with the ancient origins but includes the 19th and early 20th century inventors (Cody, Bell, etc.) in enough detail to understand what they were really doing. The history section winds up with the inventors of the hang glider (1948) and parafoil (60's). Lots of rare photos and drawing are used to illustrate their work.

After that there are sections on kite flying, kite construction, materials, plans, etc. The text here is terse and to the point, with sufficient detail and scaling information to build the kites whose plans are included (or so it appears, I didn't try to build one). A wide variety of kite plans are included, from traditional designs to unique ones; with enough airflow theory thrown in here and there to make you think you could design your own.

It's lavishly illustrated, but the small format prevents this from being a "coffee table" book. I can't recommend this book highly enough for adults or inventive teens.

I bought my first copy of this in 1976 and have worn out three copies in the intervening years. I have many kite books in my collection but still come back to this one for inspiration - time after time. Less is more and this is certainly the case with Pelham's book. If I was going to a desert island and was allowed one book this would be the one!

This is where it all started for me in 1978. Comprehensive descriptions and basic measurements, but all kites built from this book have flown very well. This cannot be said about the many more recent books on kites. Because of the simplicity of the instructions, this book is most suitable for people with some kite building experience.

The 1st 110 pages of this 220 page book are about the history of kites. Interesting, and very well illustrated with old photos. If that's what you're interested in, it's probably a five star. If you're interested in flying a kite today, then it's more like a one star. The section on building and flying kites is very poorly illustrated. If you're not already proficient in kite building, and you haven't seen a prototype of the kite you're trying to build in person, I'm guessing this book won't get you off the ground. There is some discussion about kite flying tips, types of line, and reels, though it seems thrown together, and again poorly illustrated.

"KITES," the book, made a whole lot of kids and grown ups delighted back in the last century and then it went away. My copy was lost when KATRINA hit NEW ORLEANS. But now, everything is O.K. because "KITES" is back!! "KITES" will be hard to put down, and, I assure you, it will spark creativity in the making of kites and CONVERSATION too!! "KITES" is not just a book that shows you how to make kites, although it does that quite well, and for all levels of builders, "KITES" is a beautifully written and illustrated history of kites, their colorful builders and some really ingenious ways that their builders used them. Incredible!! You and your kid will learn how to make some really neat KITES, that's a cool thing in itself but, you all are going to ENGAGE in CONVERSATION for a really long time!! "KITES" will always be in someone's hands, you are not going to shelve this one!! That, in itself is worth buying two copies for. One, you take to work to read so you can be ahead of the game with the kid who probably will not put the book down!! If you have a smart kid, this is the one, this is definately a keeper!!! If they still do projects in school, "KITES" will be a wonderful reference book! So, if you like to help make children smart, buy this book. If you have a smart kid, then, buy this book!! If you like to construct things that fly, buy this book. If you like to learn stuff and then talk to your kid, you guessed it, buy this book!! I am truly glad to have this book back and can not wait to get it into the hands of my GRAND-CHILDREN, and, oh, I bought three copies, one for me, one for them, and one for their dad--cause I want to relive those "LAST CENTURY" moments with him again too!!! Can you tell I like this book? Enjoy!!

Wow, this book is really neat. It starts out with a fascinating history of kites and winds up with actual kite plans. The history section includes lots of interesting facts I've never heard before. It begins with the ancient origins but includes the 19th and early 20th century inventors (Cody, Bell, etc.) in enough detail to understand what they were really doing. The history section winds up with the inventors of the hang glider (1948) and parafoil (60's). Lots of rare photos and drawing are used to illustrate their work.

After that there are sections on kite flying, kite construction, materials, plans, etc. The text here is terse and to the point, with sufficient detail and scaling information to build the kites whose plans are included (or so it appears, I didn't try to build one). A wide variety of kite plans are included, from traditional designs to unique ones; with enough airflow theory thrown in here and there to make you think you could design your own.

It's lavishly illustrated, but the small format prevents this from being a "coffee table" book. I can't recommend this book highly enough for adults or inventive teens.

OK, I am on a crusade here. When Amazon says 'search inside this book' I hope to see the kinds of kites the book teaches how to make. Instead, they are (as they couldn't and wouldn't be in a bookstore or library) blanked out, although some pages showing construction methods are actually, inexplicably visible!

Since art and craft books are really all about appearances, I've decided not to buy books that don't show what things look like. I can understand why they don't want to show details of how the kites are MADE - although that wouldn't be possible in a library or bookstore either.

Get a clue, folks! I - and many others - actually browse books - unfettered and unremarked in real bookstores - before buying them. And then, if we like them, we buy them.

I don't expect anyone to put the entire book online. Certainly not the diagrams and instructions! But craft books are eye candy and we really ought to be able to see what we are buying.