As near as you can get to taking a class - Rated 
The art of altering books is a very particular one - it is something that interests and intrigues you, or it doesn't. If you are an expert on the subject, you will probably not find this book particularly useful: It is, after all, a 'workshop'. It advertises itself as containing '18 techniques for self-expression'. It doesn't suggest anywhere that it might contain a gallery of other artists' work. What it does suggest is that it will introduce you to the concept of altered books, and tell you how to get started. And it does exactly that. Bev tells you how to choose a book, and how to begin. The ensuing chapters show you in detail how exactly to carry out the techniques you might like to use to make your book attractive and interesting. She explains everything - including how, on page 25, to prevent pages sticking together if you paint more than one at a time! She gives tips about positioning your papers and embellishments, with clear photos all the way. She shows mistakes - and tells you how to make things right. If you have a desire to take on a project of this nature, Bev will take you through it, step by step.
I like this book very much. It has lots of ideas to try. It also takes the fear out of beginning something new. Altering books is surprisingly daunting - but Bev gives you permission to just begin. Contrary to being uninspired by this book, I have rushed out and bought myself a book to play with from the charity shop. I have followed her advice not to be intimidated, but just to start, and I have begun an adventure, secure in the knowledge that I have friendly advice on hand. Even if you aren't sure that altered books are your thing, the ideas could be used in collage, cardmaking and ATCs. And if you already enjoy modern paper crafting, you'll no doubt have pretty much everything you need on hand.
I don't have any criticisms of this book, personally. But I do think that if you are straight from a scrapbooking background, you may find that the style, which is much more messy and freestyle, takes a little getting used to. I would unhesitatingly recommend this book to you if you are at all interested in altered books, particularly if you have a secret longing to have a go, but feel a little scared. With Bev's help, you'll be sloshing paint and ripping up paper in no time.
Missed out a lot of details - Rated 
I bought this book hoping to see more examples of Artists book and Altered books, and perhaps find little 'tasks' to complete. Instead it is about 18 techniques the author used, and little to do with other artists. Bev Brazelton mentions she loves to work with acrylics: however, she fails to mention that you can only use these on one double-page spread, and that you must leave the book open afterwards. Acrylics, being like liquid plastic, have a tendency to bond when warm or under slight pressure-two facing pages in a closed book would, after a few minutes, bond as if they had been glued. The designs in this book are meant to be pretty, not much of a narrative, and certainly aren't that intriguing. I found Terry Taylors book on the subjec to be far better for my work.
So, so...... - Rated 
The book is useful in showing you step by step pictures of some ways to alter books such as; altering the covers, embellishing, making little drawers, cutting shadowboxes etc and it does have useful tips from the author for each technique. However, I just seem to be missing something with this book. I didn't really find it inspirational and it didn't really make me want to go out and cut up some books either (which is what it is in essence). I found there was a lack of substance to why you would want to do this, but if you already have your own ideas then it may be a good guide to show you how to go about it.
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