Top of Sidebar
Mission Statement
Do It Yourself Tips and Tricks
Books, Equipment, Software, and Training Reviews
Film Critiques
Community Section
Savings and Links
Editorials
Archives
Bottom of Sidebar
Back to the Home Page
Product Picture
   Book Review
   The Golden Theme
   How To Make Your Writing Appeal To The
   Highest Common Denominator
 
   Author: Brian McDonald
   Publisher: Libertary
   Pages: 102 pgs.
   Topic: Main Concepts for Stories/Films

   MSRP: $12.95

   Website: http://www.libertary.com
   Expected Release: Available Now
   Review Date: March 1, 2011
   Reviewed By: Jeremy Hanke


Final Score:
8.2
      Bookmark and Share

Brian McDonald is one of the writing authors that I love to read. He has a way of breaking down concepts into simple, digestible concepts, without making you feel like he's "dumbing down" his intellect. Fans of MFM will doubtless recall that we gave a very favorable review to his last book, Invisible Ink, which looks at the structure behind stories.

Well, in his newest book, The Golden Theme, McDonald looks at single concept that he claims all great stories—those which help bring man up to his greatest potential--have in common.

Comprehension
The Golden Theme is simple to understand and to follow. Much of the book is unpacking the concepts of the central premise, providing extra examples to make sure you understand it clearly.

Depth of Information
This is a book that's designed to talk about one ultimate theme, which is the main current that occurs in many (if not all) great stories. As such, it doesn't stray too far from the point, so it kind of feels a bit like a long essay in that regard. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, unless you're expecting to pick up a book on more varied elements of writing. (For that, of course, I would recommend McDonald's earlier work, Invisible Ink.)

Interest Level
As with his past book, I felt that McDonald holds your interest throughout the book. While it might have been a little more intriguing if the book had focused on a few more main concepts (say 5 Common Threads to Master Tales or something to this effect), I still found the book quite compelling.

Reusability
Unlike Invisible Ink, you're not as likely to re-read The Golden Theme because it is so clearly on target for one main concept in storytelling. Once you get that concept down, it's very likely going to be written into the undercurrent of how you perceive stories and how you write them from then on.

Value vs. Cost
With a price point of $12.95, it's not a bad price. With that said, considering the extremely targeted material and the brevity of the book, I think $9.95 might make it a little more likely for folks to pick this one rather than just check it out from the library.

Overall Comment
While this was a much more targeted book than Invisible Ink, I felt that The Golden Theme was well worth the read and, as usual, Brian McDonald shows his insight and wisdom on the craft of writing in a way that's easy to absorb and utilize.

 
Comprehension            
10.0
Depth of Information            
8.0
Interest Level            
9.0
Reusability            
6.0
            Value vs. Cost            
8.0
       Overall Score
8.2

JeremyHankePicture The director of two feature length films and half a dozen short films, Jeremy Hanke founded Microfilmmaker Magazine to help all no-budget filmmakers make better films. His first book on low-budget special effects techniques, GreenScreen Made Easy, (which he co-wrote with Michele Yamazaki) was released by MWP to very favorable reviews. He's curently working on the sci-fi film franchise, World of Depleted through Depleted: Day 419 and the feature film, Depleted.

Mission | Tips & Tricks | Equipment & Software Reviews | Film Critiques
Groups & Community | Links & Savings
| Home


Contact Us Search Submit Films for Critique