The Illustrator 10 User Guide is shrink-wrapped. If you're looking for a more effective and enjoyable way to master Illustrator 10 leave it that way and get yourself a copy of Illustrator 10 for Windows and Macintosh Visual Quickstart Guide.

Unlike the User Guide, Illustrator 10 for Windows and Macintosh Visual Quickstart Guide is heavily populated with pictures. There are pictures of interface elements, toolbars, dialogue boxes and palettes, pictures showing the results of various processes, techniques and commands and diagrams that show you how to manipulate paths and anchor points. This profusion of pictures underpins the Visual Quickstart philosophy which is that it's easier to learn how to do something if you're shown how, rather than just told. If you like words there are plenty of those too and the Quickstart layout divides the page into two columns so that the pictures are there if you need them, without interrupting the flow.

Illustrator 10 for Windows and Macintosh Visual Quickstart Guide isn't a project-based book, each chapter explores one aspect of Illustrator's feature set using simple examples to demonstrate specific techniques. There's a small colour section in the centre which showcases the work of well-known Illustrator artists and includes examples of Nancy Stahl's beautiful poster art and Mark Stein's superb maps.

Illustrator 10 for Windows and Macintosh Visual Quickstart Guide will quickly set you on the path to acquiring the skills you need to produce work of a similar standard. You'll need to supply the talent, of course, but for further insight consider Sharon Steuer's Illustrator 10 Wow! Book. --Ken McMahon