Review: Decent quick guide, does what it promises to do
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 27, 2010
This book is what it says, a quick guide to the Kindle 3 and I did get valuable information and tips from it, that I have not (yet) found in the manual that came with the kindle.I did download a sample, first; and from that sample learned a tip on holding the kindle in landscape mode, with adjustments to the words-per-line, that does (or can) improve readability.  I find I actually prefer for now, reading in portrait mode (up and down, not sideways orientation of the kindle), but trying out the suggestions in this book did give me a huge appreciation for the elegance with which the kindle developers implement the alternative orientation - for example, I was curious if the 5-way controller directionality would also change with "turning the kindle sideways" and it does!  Left and right buttons in portrait mode DO become up and down in landscape orientation.  I never would have tried this out without this ebook (never say never but I probably wouldn't have for a very long time, on my own).Based on the usefulness of that tip, I bought the rest of the book.  For me though, it was the highlight of the book and I felt a tinge of disappointment when I finished the rest of it, but that said I did get my $3 worth too.  I give it 4 stars but just can't quite give it the 5th.  As I write this review and compose my thoughts on the matter, the more I do appreciate what the author has provided, but it misses 'something' for me that I just can't quite put my finger on.I am one of those people who do read manuals, and actually enjoy technical documentation.  If you don't like to read the directions, or manuals, but want a quick quide that gives you what you need to know with the minimum of effort, this guide is great.  And, it's only about the Kindle 3 -- I only have a Kindle 3.  I do not need to know how the Kindle 1, Kindle 2 or Kindle DX works.  It's also not just a bulleted list of disorganized "tips".  There is a coherent organization and it is written in a readable style.There is much in this book that is useful, easy to find, quick and accessible.  The user manual that comes with the Kindle 3 is good, readable, and clear, but it's a more leisurely read.  This book could be thought of like a map that gets you to your destination on the kindle, while the user manual is more of a tour-guide.  Both are good to have.