Many books claim to offer something new; not many fulfill the promise. This one does. Robert Gerst (liberal arts, Massachusetts College of Art and Design) is an experienced filmmaker and teacher of visual artists, and he knows they learn best by doing. He has taken this premise and made a new kind of book about film for everyone. Each chapter can be read in about 20 minutes. Each gives a clear, beautifully-written history of a single idea or technique (moving camera, film "reality," sound mixing, endings) and offers a concrete example from a historic film. At the end of the chapter, readers are invited to imagine they are on the original film shoot. Using an interactive website, they download the tools they need to recreate the technique in the film ("You did it then"). Another exercise then guides them through the process of using the technique in their own way, making an original mini-movie ("You do it now"). The website also includes film clips illustrating each chapter. Readers need a computer or handheld device with its basic included software (iMovie for Mac, Movie Maker for Windows) and Internet access; the author also recommends a digital or cell phone camera. Advanced users can edit with Avid or Final Cut Pro, but they're not needed. The book is focused, practical, step-by-step, and easy to read, while still offering a richly layered play of ideas in an often lyric voice. The 25 chapters begin with Eadweard Muybridge in 1872 and assembling still images into the illusion of movement. They end with documentary film in 2007, mining archival footage to assemble into an original movie, and shooting an original 10-minute documentary. By the end of the book, readers have an education in film history, and a grasp of many practical and creative fundamentals of filmmaking. It is suitable for readers from high school to MFA or PhD level. A highly recommended book for aspiring filmmakers, teachers of filmmaking and film history, and any creative general reader with a computer who wants to have fun while learning to really understand the movies. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)