Customer Reviews

Origami to Astonish and Amuse: Over 400 Original Models, Including Such "Classics" as the Chocolate-Covered Ant, the Transvestite Puppet, the Invisible Duck, and Many More!

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book had many fun, yet ODD projects. And definitely, not for beginners. Although, there are some that beginners can do.

This book is clearly designed to amuse. Most of the subjects are not serious, but rather a humorous or otherwise twisted take on classic origami. A few of the steller models include the pocket knife (folding, complete with multiple utensils) and nail-clippers. Other interesting models include a box with four classic cranes built into the lid, a surfer on a wave (action model) and the invisible duck (to be folded out of invisible paper of course, the wackiness of the book is evident here).

Overall grade:
8.6 out of 10

Recommended to everyone who doesn't require serious models. Plenty of models to challenge all skill levels.

I kinda fell into origami, and my mom bought me this book on a whim one day after I had expressed an interest in paper folding. This book is amazing. Shafer is hilarious. He inserts random comments into all of his instructions keeping the reader/folder in stitches.
The instructions are very easy to follow, though origami does reqire practice and mastery of basic skills. But Shafer provides your basic skills and very easy folds to the more complex folds. Once you master the basics, you'll be on your way to making such crazy models as "Hands Folding a Square Base" and a "Transvestite Puppet."
I very highly recommend this book either to a beginner or to and advanced folder.

I was surprised for a great Origami book that includes excellent models for different skills (23 simple, 8 low-intermediate, 20 intermediate, 12 high-intermediate and 26 complex, in total 89, and not 400 as is written in the cover) and different interests:
Action Models, from beginners (Baby Bird, Men's Suit), intermediate (clapping hands), high intermediate (surfer on a wave), to complex (nail clippers), and in other areas like Symbols and Signs (some billfolds, a pyramid and a balancing eagle that poses at the top of the pyramid), Heart-related origami (Cards, envelopes) and others (like a square base with hands that folded it -a la Escher-).
The book includes tips and ideas to fold variations for the models.
If you are interested in Origami to entertain children and adults, or making not traditional models, this is the book.
I recommended specially for intermediate to expert folders.

Having seen many of these models as they developed (through my subscription to the Bay Area Rapid Folders newsletter), I could hardly wait for this book to finally achieve publication! And it certainly lives up to my expectations--old favorites beside new, all genuinely astonishing and amusing....

wow, this is one of the best origami books around the earth, brilliant figures, advanced and for begginers, besides, it is very funny to read all the comments by Shaffer, every time I read it, I laugh a lot, this is basic for your collection.

This book is definitely worthwhile for any origami enthusiast. Some of the models are rather unusual-but interesting! I really appreciate the "Thoughts behind the folds" sidebar from Jeremy. It really personalizes things and adds a cool teaching element that other books lack. Not only that, but the whole book reflects Jeremy's unique sense of humor and entertaining style to make your reading and folding experience quite fun. Thanks for the great first book, Jeremy! I look forward to many more. -Creativity Enthusiast

Jeremy Shafer has written a book that lives up to it's name. It's been too long since I enjoyed an origami book this much. Some of the models make "astonish" an understatement. The action models do some amazing almost miraculous things. While many of the models are quite challenging, there are models to please all levels of folders. Even some great action models require only the most basic paper folding skill. It's rare that an origami book combines so many fine features. The diagrams are understandable and beautifully executed. The pictures are amusing and informative. He has a wry, playful, and occasionally macabre sense of humor that is reflected in both his models and his commentary on them. He is thorough in listing his influences, inspirations, and collaborators. He is scrupulously honest in revealing when any of the models are derivative and giving credit where it is due. There are some origami books no origami lover should be without, and this is one of them.

The models in the book are clearly "different" from those in most other origami books. There are very few animal models (although the ones that are here are terrific, in particular his dragon model).

The action models are excellent and unlike the typical "flapping bird", etc.

Most of the models are quite foldable, and in the intermediate to high-intermediate range, and all use a single, uncut square.

I was bored yesterday, and looking through my rainy day activity drawer, I came upon some old origami paper. I realized that I didn't have a book, so off to the store I went. Expecting to find stuffy books about the 10 comandments of origami, and same ol same ol models, I instantly went to the book about astonishing and amusing. Well, 6 hours later I have laughed till I have cried, and made 7 different models...my favorite is a tie between the walking boat and the dancing people. This is a book that relates to those of us that aren't so rigid and stuffy, (and lets face it, those of us who aren't normal :o) ) I can't wait for Jeremy to write another book!