An introduction to the Books for Dummies SeriesÂ
Some books spark the imagination of the public and there has been none more successful than the Books for Dummies series of instructional books. They are a clever marketing idea, teaching manuals that can be understood by the layperson no matter how complicated the subject matter is. They work because they are not dry textbooks nor do they patronize. Instead, they take the reader step by step, with the aid of diagrams if required, and impart knowledge and know how with humor and empathy. They are also a good way of dipping your toes into a subject to see if you want to study it in detail.
The range of titles covered has rapidly expanded and the topics become ever more specific. They are little bibles on all things to do with computing and technology but many other different subjects are presented too now, all in the clear, trademark style.
Some computer owners could probably not survive without them nevertheless.
Some of the best selling subjects for Books For Dummies are the Everyday Computing and Advanced Computing titles. The Everyday series includes MySpace, Windows Vista, Auto CAD 2007, iPod & iPod Tunes and Laptops for Dummies. After mastering all the basics, it’s on to the Advanced books, which include Firewalls, Ruby on Rails, Linux Smart Homes and Java & XML for Dummies. Various books relate to Internet topics, such as Norton Internet Security, eBay Timesaving Techniques and Yahoo! Sitebuilder Books for Dummies.
There is a range known as At Home, sub divided into Food and Drink, Home and Garden, Pets and Relationships and Family. These include everything from Chinese Cooking to Knowing When to Call the Vet for Your Horse. The Health, Mind and Spirit series incorporates Healthy Eating, Mind and Body Health and Religion and Spirituality titles. Therefore, readers can learn about grilling food, how to do T’ai Chi or how to understand the Koran.
Sports and Leisure are popular book titles, with sports such as basketball and one on marathon training. There are hobbies too, like the latest craze for the puzzle game, Kakuro and Electronic Projects. Travel has been added to the title list, with specific locations from Scotland to the Bahamas and specific issues such as Timeshare Vacations. These Books for Dummies are great for the arts too, whether you want to brush up on French Verbs, learn Latin or how to play blues guitar. There is even a crash course in Books for Dummies on Shakespeare!
Related Links:
Books for Dummies Publisher Site - Home page of John Wiley & Sons, publisher of the Books for Dummies series