I’m an avid Adobe “classroom in a book” fan and have been for my years now (too many to count). Adobe has always provided excellent support for their programs in this “mini lesson” style. This book easily breaks apart the twists and turns of InDesign in a well written format that will appeal to the novice and the frequent user.

It starts with the basics each lesson (or technique) is usually only 2-3 pages long so for those of us with ADD… What was I saying? Oh yeah, it is comfortable book to read over time. The lessons are concise and to the point. It features many black and white illustrations on almost every other page which drive home where you should be following along. Cruise and Kordes-Anton line the margins with excellent tips that you will find yourself highlighting for future reference.

In the past Adobe has graced it’s books with CD’s or downloads of work files for you to work along with your lessons. This is the place were I feel they could have taken the book to a little higher level. It really helps to have a side by side comparison to your work and the work in progress which will make you say “oh, that’s how they did that” in a real world situation. Adobe if you’re listening… A few color photos would have been nice as well, but now I’m just being picky.

In closing, even though I rant about the things I wish were here, this is an excellent learning tool and a good read. Worthy of the hard earned cash you’ll have to part with to make it part of your library. Just think of it as an investment in your page layout future!