Lacks discriptive diagrams and photo's
I agree with Mark-from-DC; there is WAY to much verbage and WAY too few diagrams. Verbose "how-to" passages must be read several times to get the gist of what the author is trying to describe. I actually ended up diagramming my own sketches as I re-read sections. I too, would not recommend this book, and for the same reasons. I found it a big disappointment.

Needs some pictures
This book might be packed with information about the various paddling techniques but takes at least three readings to understand what the author is trying to describe. The narrative would be helped tremendously if some pictures were included. Simple things like showing the proper wrist rotatation during strokes, even body positioning during the stroke are not illustrated.

In addtion, the authors writing style leaves a lot to be desired. The author wants to imagine he is right next to us while we sit in the kayak. Things like, '...go ahead and pick up your kayak while we walk down this hill together....' UGH!!!!

Just describe each technique and some illustrations to go with each step would do wonders for this book.

As a novice to kayaking I can't recommend this book

A Good Read
Disclaimer - This reader has no kayaking experience. Your humble reviewer has taken to the waters on the Nimitz, in canoes on still and running bodies of water, a twenty one foot sloop, pontoon boats, rowboats, down the rapids of the Chatahoochie in a guided raft, and on the garden variety cabin cruisers that litter the waterways like so much floating garbage. (do you detect a bias?)

Your reviewer does read a fair bit, and compared to other books on this and other subjects, found Kayaking Made Easy to to be a very enjoyable read. The conversational style of the author reached me loud and clear. With some experience in boating and outdoor activities the advice seems sound.

The work is geared to touring and casual flatwater kayaking with some great advice for "gunkholing" and generally loitering about the calm waterways. Serious touring and navigation is also discussed. One thing that really impressed me was the brief tutorial on boarding the kayak - notably missing in a different book.

I am contemplating the purchase of an inflatable kayak and found this book more help than the one I bought specifically on inflatable kayaking.

Since I am not a kayaker per se, this book could be entirely bogus. I seriously doubt that, it seems sound and a very enjoyable read. I would buy another book from this author. Even those who don't ever plan to kayak might like this book for non-ficiton. Very happy with my purchase.

A wonderful gift idea for the outdoorsy, water loving type buddy who does not own a boat but might be inspired by this introduction to the world of kayaking.

Kayaking Made Easy
Good information for a beginner, also helps with understanding terms used in kayaking.

Good information
Done with humor and well done instructions even for the one who has never touched a kayak.