Magnificent Book of Kites: Explorations in Design, Construction, Enjoyment & Flight

Maxwell Eden did an excellent job of explaining how to make kites. The book is packed with kite building information including step-by-step processes, closeup drawings, as well as color photos of completed kites. The specific instruction and detail on constructing a wide range of flyers is excellent. If you're new to kite making this is the book you want. After I bought several books and searched the internet for plans and ideas, I'd have to say that this is the must-have reference. Eden reviews aerodynamics, knots, materials, stitches, patterns, parafoils, deltas, multi-cells, sleds, power-kiting, kite applique (graphics), tips and more. Some plans could use more information but for the most part it is very well done.

This book has an array of kites from easy to make to complicated ones. It has step by step instructions and are easy to follow. I bought it to teach students and they had a ball. Is good for elementary to high school students and also for parents to teach their children the fun of kite creation.

Being an avid kite-lover since childhood, I was able to get a deeper and truer understanding of the art and spectrum of kites through Eden's vision. What a splendid and unique aproach to this time-honored tradition. Time to go fly a kite!

This excellent book is a revised edition of Maxwell's best-seller "Kiteworks." The book contains new information about kites and the Web, creating kites using your computer, and a comprehensive materials directory for kite builders, plus resources and events about the new sport of kite-powered craft. The Magnificant Book of Kites is a winner!

This book has a much better layout than Kiteworks, a 1989 book by Maxwell Eden. The plans are a little more oraganized. The only new material is the section that compares kitemaking materials. I think the overall flow is good and it provides a good introduction to making kites.