Product Description

Suitable for any novice kite enthusiast, this volume traces developments from the history of kite flying in Ancient China to present-day international kite-flying festivals. There are step-by-step instructions for building numerous kites, from plain flat, through box to acrobatic flying models.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #509989 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-26
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Customer Reviews

A Kite Book For Children - Adults Don't Bother!!!
I don't think that I have ever been more disappointed with any other book that I have ever received. Unfortunately the Amazon description and the "Search Inside" feature do not give the correct impression of this book.

Although the Amazon description does mention that the book is for "novice kite enthusiasts" it should be clearer in that any instructions for kite making are really of the primary school stick and paper variety and are very basic! You will not be able to design or build any modern or serious kites using the basic details in this book!

Most types of kites are mentioned but unfortunately any serious kites are glossed over and only the most rudimentary "plans" or descriptions are given.

The layout of the book is haphazard to say the least and I find it hard to believe that such clumsy design and typography made it past any proofing stage at the publishers. The chapter headings, in a strange childish vertical zig-zag style are almost unreadable.

The book is really only suitable for children but the lack of order or sensible structure will make it hard reading even for them. It is however very colourful and although well illustrated, this is again done in a pre-school style.

If you want to learn about kites or kite-making avoid this book at all costs!

A Kite Book for Beginners
If you approach this book with the idea that it is for beginners to kite making then you will not be disappointed. The book is well laid out if a little quirky in having the contents pages at the back. It gives a brief history of kite making and flying which is useful and does give an idea that kite making isn't just a Western activity.

As has been mentioned in another review, this book does concentrate almost exclusively on making kites using paper and you have to read the book fairly carefully to realise that you can make kites out of other material. That said if you are new to kite making then there is enough information to enable you to make you first kite.

If you want to take you kite making further then sooner or later you will have to read "The Penguin Book of Kites" by David Pelham (reissued as "Kites"). This is widely recognised as the best book available on both the history and practicality of kite making.