While this book provides much less of an introduction to using the PageMaker program than one finds in competing publications, it may be more useful to users of PageMaker and competing software because of its strengths. The first 40 percent of the book, Section 1, is devoted to the elements of publication design. This material is well illustrated and would be of value to users of all desktop publishing programs. The next section discusses and illustrates the design of promotions (such as brochures and posters), periodicals, and tightly structured publications (catalogs, forms, data sheets, and so on). This section too is largely independent of PageMaker.

The remaining two sections are entitled “PageMaker Basics” and “Hands-on Projects.” The basics section is not meant to be an introduction to PageMaker for beginners, but serves as an overview and orientation. In fact, the authors suggest that beginners should use this section as a reference.

The “Hands-on Projects” section makes up almost half of the book. It provides nine step-by-step tutorials on producing a variety of documents, ranging from the preparation of a simple certificate (15 pages) to working with color (31 pages, with color illustrations). Where necessary, differences in the use of PageMaker on the IBM PC and the Macintosh are described.

The book itself is an example of good design. The writing is clear, the illustrations are well chosen, and the advice on good design is worthwhile.