Others say...

"Outstanding"
This 887 page book is simply outstanding! Not only is it well written, it is well INDEXED, which (sad to say) is not so with all technical books such as this one. It covers the general gaumut of WordPerfect features, issues, etc., in an easy to read and understand style and with lots of tips and tricks that even old hand WordPerfect users (like me) may have missed (like me). It doesn't develop the intracacies of WordPerfect macros very much, so if you're looking for a book on how to do WordPerfect macros, the book does not get into depth about macros and you'll need other resource(s) for that. Even with this qualification, I give it the highest rating.

"Top notch volume for a top notch program"
I've always preferred WordPerfect over Word for a number of reasons, a major one being the Reveal Codes function. However, this review is not about these two programs, but about the book Special Edition Using WordPerfect 12.

One of the most important features of a book such as this (which is about 2 inches thick) is its index. I find the index to be well laid out, easy to read and a good combination of bold and plain text. There is also a Contents at a Glance on the very first page, as well as the Contents proper.

Enhancements of WordPerfect 11 and 12 are separately listed on pages 3 to 6, and there is also a list of combined enhancements on pages 6 to 7, which originated with a service pack for version 11.

The ease of pasting unformatted text from other programs/documents (an essential feature - done in a more round-about way in MS Word) is summed up well: "When you copy text from another source, you also copy formatting codes. To paste unformatted text, choose Edit, Paste Special, and choose Unformatted" (p494). I use this feature all the time, and believe a shortcut key would come in handy here.

Another handy section begins on page 575: Simplifying a Complex Document with Cross-References. What this does is automatically updates a constantly moving entry which says something like "...see page 86...". If it weren't for this the manual alternatives could be disastrous!

I'm even appreciative of the ad for CorelDRAW on the very last page! It's a great program which should really be integrated (or even sold with) WordPerfect.

Overall: Highly recommended. Special Edition Using WordPerfect 12 complements the simplicity and comprehensiveness of WordPerfect itself.

"A Perfect Resource"
This book again shows what is important about its kind, books that help you use software. The list of contents and index are thorough and complete, helping experienced readers to find a specific subject fast. At the same time someone with less experience can just start at the beginning and work forward chapter by chapter, learning to control WordPerfect a step at a time, increasing productivity with each step.

The way Special Edition Using WordPerfect 12 is written has a very good balance. Every subject has a very readable introduction. The lay-out and formatting of more technical descriptions is clear and easy to follow. At various places interesting and helpful tips are given. Troubleshooting sections help you identify problems before you have them. The examples in each chapter give you several ideas for solutions using WordPerfect. I have given it some thought but I can not think of a better way to present the wealth of information given in this book.

When browsing a book before I buy it I sometimes get the feeling that I know most of it already, you know what I mean? Well, I do not have that with this book! A must have for every WordPerfect user!