Among the large number of free software products, the GNU image manipulation program (GIMP) for X Windows systems is one of the most interesting. Its range of applications covers all that can be done with two-dimensional (2D) images, including photograph retouching, illustration, animations, logo design, and Web page design. Moreover, it is the only tool in its category that works on any platform.

While Amazon.com lists hundreds of titles about the leading (and expensive) commercial products in this area, only a couple dozen are really relevant in the corresponding listing about GIMP. Since there are only a few books about GIMP, it is important to consider new ones. This one, however, is simply the second edition of a book first published in 2006 [1]. As such, it is interesting to compare it with the first edition, which has been the most useful GIMP book, by far, since its publication.

This new edition is 36 pages longer than the first edition. It is printed on matte paper, instead of the glossy pages of the first edition; unfortunately, this does not really improve the quality of the illustrations. The book is set in full color, with more than 400 illustrations, and the printing quality is excellent. However, color rendering is far from satisfactory, especially regarding the blues. So, I purchased the e-book edition (for only $10)--the color quality in the portable document format (PDF) file is no better.

Additions were made to several chapters that deal with all the new features of GIMP. Some subjects were moved between chapters; this is a real improvement in the case of customization, which was covered much too early in the first edition. The chapter about colors is now more self-contained. The appendices were restructured. However, it is very unfortunate that Version 2.6 of GIMP is only mentioned in a short appendix, although it has been available since October 2008.

Peck knows her subject extremely well and presents it with conviction. You cannot escape learning many new things when reading this book. Although it cannot cover the entire matter at the same level of detail and explanation; no important point is lacking. I especially appreciate the chapters on advanced drawing and advanced compositing.

The explanations are thorough and clear. When the author explains the way to do something, she also considers alternative solutions and explains the choices. Therefore, readers are made aware of why one technique is better than another, and in what circumstances.

I recommend this book to anybody interested in 2D imagery, especially photograph handling and retouching, and computer-aided illustration. I hope there will be more books of this sort about GIMP.