Twisting History: Lessons in Balloon Sculpting (Spiral-bound)

by Larry Moss (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A fantastic variety of information that is clear and easy to follow. I am thrilled to add it to my library. -- Marvin Hardy

As someone who tends to be over-critical of both his own work and the work of others, it always pleases me to be able to give a positive review. Today even my fingers are smiling as I type how very impressed I am with Larry Moss' book "Twisting History - Lessons in Balloon Sculpting."

This entertaining, illustrated book is great for kids of all ages. As opposed to the usual dry collection of instruction sheets, here a fictional, "twisted" history of the evolution of balloon life ties each chapter together into a coherent whole. Considering what other books of lesser quality are going for, I believe this to be a good value and think it would make a great gift for any budding twister. -- Mark Balzer, posted to the Balloon HQ Internet mailing list

The book is a very comprehensive guide to twisting, and I believe it to be very useful to the beginner and intermediate alike. The 'Bird in a Cage' is a bit involved, but well within the grasp of anyone who has gotten that far in the book. This book contains a lot of the same patterns and instructions found in many other balloon twisting guides but has an added dimension. Truly 'Twisted' humor! The explanation of how balloons fit into evolutionary history offered in each chapter by way of illustrations and narration keeps the pace of the book moving like no other how-to book I've read, and the opening chapter on balloon history is very amusing and original, if not completely accurate! -- Jack Porcello, posted to the Balloon HQ Internet mailing list

What a great book. Very creative, fresh, funny. -- Kristie Faber, editor, Balloon Magic - The Magazine

Product Description
Twisting History was written to answer the most common questions about balloon sculpting: 1. ``How can I learn to make funny things out of balloons?'' 2. ``Can you make anything besides dogs and cats?'' 3. ``How do balloon animals fit into the evolutionary history of the world?'' You will find in this book: 1. Step-by-step instructions for creating sculptures from balloons. These include common figures, as well as many new creations. 2. Ideas for using balloons to entertain audiences. 3. An illustrated, and perhaps slightly ``twisted,'' history of balloons and balloon animals. Endless possibilities exist for those that learn the art of balloon sculpting: 1. Impress your friends. 2. Embarrass your friends. 3. Get free food.

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Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 107 pages
• Publisher: Fooled Ya (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964849739
• ISBN-13: 978-0964849730
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,424,642 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant book for all budding twisters, August 5, 2000

By	Mike Kenyon (Frederick, MD United States) - See all my reviews

There are many twisting books, and they fall into 2 categories. Recipe books, and true books on the subject. The second category, true books, is very small, and TH is one of the best. Rather than present another collection of balloon sculpture recipes, Moss has created a book with a point, a theme, an unfolding story that leads any twister down a path to improvement. In the course of the book (which contains several excellent sculptures!) the readers develops a feel for balloons that no other book offers. TH isn't just about sculptures - it is about developing a presentation for the sculptures you can make. The best leaders lead by example, and TH presents a theme (an evolutionary timeline featuring balloon animals instead of life as we know it) which unifies the book.

There are many captivating sculptures in the book, and Moss takes care with all of them to provide clear directions. From varieties of balloon dogs to the enchanting bird in a cage, this book offers sculptures for all levels of twisters. It is well written, very refreshing in a market segment that features so many books with little writing. If you aren't a twister, you'll enjoy the engaging illustrations of Balloonosaurs as you read good prose describing the rise and fall of balloon animals through the ages. TH sets a standard that others would do well to follow - unity, diversity, and clarity. If you don't have this in your library as a twister, what are you waiting for? This is the next wave - in another five years, TH - rather than Balloon Magic or Capt. Visual - will be seen as _the_ place for novice twisters to start, because the level of art demands more than a catalog of instructions.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Gives basics easy to read, Captain Visual is better, March 28, 1999

By A Customer

I was disappointed. The writing style is fun but the amount of material is small compared to Captain Visuals book (at about the same price).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Beginner's book, February 22, 2001

By	Daniel Chen (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews

I did not find this book to meet my own needs but I was able to give the book to a person interested in balloon twisting and get them hooked. The illustrations are easy to follow and help to enhance the instructions. The other parts of the book add to it well. We don't need balloon books that just teach us how to make specific animals. We need balloon books that will teach us other things too.