Classic Origami

Own it. Give it. This book is worth the price for the arched back cat fold alone. But the bonus fold is the Sampan. This book has an excellent balance of verbal and diagram instructions. Beautiful color pictures with exceptional detail.

I'm not sure where this book fits into a good origami library. On the plus side it works from simple classics (such as the sampan), then has a look at eastern origami classics, then at some from the western origami tradition, finishing with David Brill's two horned rhino. There is also a brief section on modular origami. On the down side ? Well, yes, all of the models are classics, and the instructions are quite clear and easy to follow. But it just seems a bit insubstantial to claim a title of 'Classic Origami' - I was expecting more models than were in the book and also some more challenging models. There are really only the rhino and the butterfly models in the more modern realist style - all the rest are in the flat style. However, if you can find a decent, cheap copy (which mine was, secondhand), then by all means buy it. The models are classics of their time and the instructions are great and a good learning set. Aims for the beginner to early intermediate folder, with the exception of the rhino!