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Rating: 
Summary: Good for beginners - but cheaper edition available
Review: Before buying this book, see if you can find the mini hardcover edition published under the title: "Origami handbook : the classic art of paperfolding in step-by-step contemporary projects" by Hermes House (imprint of Anness publishing) ISBN 1843092123. The book is identical except in its smaller size (24 x 18 cm) and cover, but is less than half the price of the larger edition (strangely, I've seen both books together on shelves when browsing bookshops). The reduced size pages are still quite clear and readable.As a book, it's very attractive - full colour glossy photographs on each page illustrate the models (good for diagram-impaired people, although they are sometimes a bit tricky to follow) - and features a gallery of models at the start of the book and instructions in basic folds and bases. It's good for giving a new folder a taste of lots of different models, but if you have a few books already you'll probably find that you have most of these designs.
Rating: 
Summary: a masterpiece of selection and exposition
Review: Every piece I have folded from this book has impressed me. I focused on objects to share with my 5 year old and 2 year old. Each model delighted me with the elegance and simpilicity of its design. The expositions are little masterpieces of economy and clarity. I am used to seeing drawn origami diagrams and was skeptical about the use of photographs. However, the author does a superb job of supplementing the photos with just the right amount, and kind, of verbal explanation. Moreover, the designs have a contemporary and hip look to them. Ever folded a paper hat out of newspaper? Well, here Rick Beech shows you how to fold 5 different paper hats in a series, with the same piece of paper! If I had to use one word to describe the qualities in this book, it would be "clever". Note, the edition I have is called "The Origami Handbook". Cliff
Rating:
Summary: Excellent from cover to cover!!!
Review: Having recently become fascinated by origami I was, at first, very pleased to find this book. Why? It offers real photos of the folds being performed, in beautiful color. Not only can you see the process as you would folding your own, but you can be inspired by the materials and uses for the works. However, there are several things that caused me to think twice about this book. First, there are not many of what I would call the more "elegant" animal folds. These are figures that I might use for more fine or interesting display for example the leaping antelope from Eric Kenneway's book. Also, surprisingly, it is somewhat difficult to follow some of the photos. In some cases, for example the 'Rabbit'has a fold that would be much clearer if a diagram was used. The same with the 'Butterfly'. I'm sure a more advanced Origami enthusiast would probably not have a problem with these folds. On the up side, Beech does include a lot of fun projects that children love and offers a nice range of the different types and uses for Origami. There is a chapter on newspaper hats, games, and 3D models. I would suppliment this book with one on animals as well as one that offers more complex projects with more complete explanations such as the Origami Omnibus. I think that learning the folding symbology is important for anyone wishing to move on from the very basic folds and most books use diagrams and symbols rather than live photos.
Rating:
Summary: The best I've seen
Review: I have a number of origami books and this is by far the best. It is well-written, the diagrams are clear, the instructions easy to follow (unlike many other books!) It is even beautiful with great photographs of the work. I can't recommend it enough.
Rating:
Summary: The best I've seen
Review: I have a number of origami books and this is by far the best. It is well-written, the diagrams are clear, the instructions easy to follow (unlike many other books!) It is even beautiful with great photographs of the work. I can't recommend it enough.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible resource and guide!
Review: I love love love love this book! I am a beginner in origami, but i could easily open up the book at any page and follow the instructions. The models are very nice, there are basic things like the cranes and boxes and very advanced ones (including incredible modular origami). I especially like the photo instructions, you don't see the usual drawn origami instructions that may be intimidating and hard to follow for a beginner, but photos showing how exactly your model should look like at the variosu stages. Very easy to follow and gives you a great feeling of accomplishment throughout the folding activity, because you see that yours is exactly like the one of the author. This book is also a great gift idea, because it's large format and very nicely produced with glossy paper and excellent photography! Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: diagrams please
Review: I was thrilled to find this book because it includes instructions for the "Butterfly Ball" (which I have been looking for for a while now) plus it has a nice selection of other models as well. I'd like it much better, however, if it had diagrams instead of photos. I'm an experienced folder, but I had trouble following the photographs. Several of the steps were unclear and it was really very difficult to see what to do in several of the models.
Rating:
Summary: An encyclopaedia of origami
Review: This book is really big in size and with plenty of colourful photographs. Why I called it an encyclopaedia? This is because it reminds me of the days when I would receive an encyclopaedia as a birthday present and would spend many pleasant hours looking at the photographs and reading it. It starts of with an excellent introduction to origami. It gives history, followed by a gallery of origami masterpieces. Next it discuss what paper, techniques and basic folds are required. I like the part where the various types of paper were introduced. The sections is divided to 1) Traditional Classics (crane, cup, lily, samurai hat, kimono, crown, sanbo, waterbomb, peace dove, sampan, masu box) 2) Animals, People and Flowers (nun, butterfly, swan, scottie dog, buttonhold flower, rooster, human figure, shell, goldfish, rabbit, tulip and vase, elephant, peacock) 3) Toys, Games & Action Origami (jumping frog, glider, banger, stackers, barking dog, zoomerang, tumblewing, nodding dog, magic star/frisbee, pecking crow, flapping bird, talking frog, catapult and basketball hoop, moving lizard) 4) Practical Paper Folds (page corner, letterfold, pin tray, the ellington, lazy susan, photoframe, square bix, business card holder, heart coaster, easter basket, pinwheel and puzzle purse, gift bag) 5) Party Tricks (Laughter lines, fortune teller, dollar shirt, envelope trick, blinking eyes, strawberry, kissing lips, money pig, newspaper hats, the captain's shirt story) 6) Decorative Origami (sailboat, hanging decoration, bangle, bishop's mitre napkin, pixie boot napkin, swan napkin, rose napkin christmas stocking, gift tag, pop-up flower, button flower, paper chain, heart ring, star, santa and sleigh) 7) Modular origami (spinner, butterfly ball, Japanese brocade, five intersecting tetrahedra. modular star, modular cube, kusudama, fireworks) Instructions are in the form of photographs not diagrams. In general most of the models are easy to fold. There are enough difficult ones to challenge the more adventurous. As I had been folding for over 30 years, I have seen most of the models before. As I prefer simple folds (easier to teach beginners), this book brings together many old favourites in one book with some new ones of course. I find this book complement Dave Petty's book, Origami, very well. I would recommend this book as a lovely present and a good introduction to origami. As for myself, I plan to get a second copy.
Rating:
Summary: The book that got be started
Review: This is my first origami book bought sometime in November 2002, which got me interested in Origami. I remember being very impressed with the beautiful color photos. Since I was a new folder then, I could easily understand the photo instructions when I first got it, but now I prefer diagrams. Interesting background information on origami and introduction to some origami celebrities makes this book an enjoyable read. There is a photograph of the author with a large elephant model, which got me interested in folding from large paper (60 cm x 60 cm or more). Models ranges from very simple �party trick� to impressive �modular�. The beautiful photographs make me want to fold all. I folded my first elephant from this book, a simple one, but very effective in representing the animal. I often drool over the colorful modular models, especially the Flexagon Firworksï...
Rating:
Summary: The book that got be started
Review: This is my first origami book bought sometime in November 2002, which got me interested in Origami. I remember being very impressed with the beautiful color photos. Since I was a new folder then, I could easily understand the photo instructions when I first got it, but now I prefer diagrams. Interesting background information on origami and introduction to some origami celebrities makes this book an enjoyable read. There is a photograph of the author with a large elephant model, which got me interested in folding from large paper (60 cm x 60 cm or more). Models ranges from very simple 'party trick' to impressive 'modular'. The beautiful photographs make me want to fold all. I folded my first elephant from this book, a simple one, but very effective in representing the animal. I often drool over the colorful modular models, especially the Flexagon Firworksï...
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