I have been surrounded by and involved with sound production in many different forms since I was a kid, and as relatively easy as it is to get solid technical information on sound, the art of sound, particularly as it relates to visual productions, can be a little harder to come by. Most of the attempts (that I have come in contact with) have been too esoteric or vague to be of much practical value. In depth, intelligent, but accessible, David Sonnenschein's "Sound Design" is a real "ear-opening". Whether you are a sound designer, musician, film or video maker, or enthusiast, this book is highly recommended.