The Complete User's Guide to the Amazing Amazon Kindle (First Generation) Paperback – August 28, 2008

Like many new Kindle users, I bought this "cool tricks" Kindle book on my first buying spree about 2 months ago. I reserved judgment on how useful it would be until now, giving myself a chance to both read the material and receive the very helpful free emails that the author offers as a bonus, if you choose to send him your email address. The very first tip that came through that I used, a tip on a free download, in one click repaid the cost of the initial "cool tricks" book. High energy author who is motivated to find a position in this new market, and why not? Someone's got to save time for the rest of us, and I appreciate it.Yes, technically all the information contained therein could be found for free if one had enough time, but if I had that much time and energy, I could also eventually travel to libraries to borrow, and back to return, every time I wanted to read a title for "free". "Free" is not the primary motivation of Kindle users, it's convenience, and personally, I find this "cool tricks" Kindle guide a no-brainer, common sense investment. For a couple of dollars, you get the benefit of this author's many hours of beta-testing. What's to regret?

This book was my first Kindle purchase, because I was looking for some info on how to use the device. Little did I know how this seemingly helpful chap would misuse my e-mail address to promote his political ideology!The book is "OK" -- it covers the basics, and gets you to the point where you can use the fundamental features, but it does not go too much further. On the book's content alone, I would maybe give it 2-1/2 stars.I then went on to follow his suggestion of adding my e-mail address to his list. He claimed that he would be sending alerts when his Kindle book was updated.Surprised was my reaction this morning when I opened a lengthy e-mail from Stephen Windwalker (yes, it was a real e-mail from him) in which he wrote an extensive note about the importance of buying a Kindle book that paints a certain female candidate for VP in a very negative light.I have read several books and articles about that particular candidate -- enough to realize what is agenda-driven and what is detached accounting of the facts. The rag this Windwalker guy is pushing is something that clearly advances one particular political opinion.Whether you agree with Windwalker's viewpoint or not, how dare he mis-use my e-mail address to send me his thinly-veiled political opinions!I would therefore recommend find an alternative source of Kindle information, and definitely not providing your e-mail address to this guy. The "sheep in wolves' clothing" image comes to mind.

I cannot disagree with many of the posted reviews. This book is a little light on content. Much of it can be found in the user guide that came loaded on the Kindle. But, then again, you buy for pennies more than two bucks.I love my Kindle. I received it in December. I have subscribed to newspapers, blogs and magazines. Books are great to read on it. I particularly love it when I travel. With Whispernet, a new book is never out of reach.Although I am a satisfied user, this book whets my whistle with potential applications.While I use it, I have a sense that it will do much more. For two bucks, this book opened my eyes to many of those new gadgets and applications. Plus, one of Kindle's promises intrigues me. I can upgrade by collection whenever there are content changes.As a writer, I am particularly interested in the concept of "progress payments" for material. This book cannot be described as anything near complete. Yet the author is receiving payments. He promises to update this book. I hope so. He and Amazon have my 2 bucks. They will reap many more with a full compliment of content.

It's interesting that most of the reviews are either loved it or hated it. I can't help wondering if the "don't waste your money" reviews are from Kindle owners that have mobiles with internet capability and already know how to use them.I found the article well thought out, and I especially enjoy the links at the back to various Amazon Kindle products. Also, I enjoyed the links to free books as well. I would have liked to have a table of contents so I can skip to each section.It also includes a way to check the time for those of us that don't wear a watch.I also wish there was a table of Alt Keystrokes, so we can get more use out of our kindle.Be sure to send him your email address so you can get notified of "free" products as well as article updates.I already had a google account, and it's easy to apply the same principle to the Yahoo mail. (Be sure to click the MOBILE link near the top.)A good investment!

Mr. Windwalker's enthusiasm for the Kindle shines through in the enthusiasm of his writing as well as in the range of tips, advice, and thoughts he provides on the Kindle.Obviously, as with any book of this type, Kindle users will have discovered some or many of the ideas presented for themselves. However, even I, a true Kindle lover and gadget geek, mined valuable information that I had not discovered on my own. The tips range from the merely fun (how to find Minesweeper) to the extremely useful (where to find free content, keyboard shortcuts, how to use the Kindle during travel, how to manage photos and audio files).To me, the most fun and interesting part of the book were the author's speculations on the possible future of the Kindle and how it might be a paradigm-changing device.Everyone who owns a Kindle should also own this book.

I was disappointed in the book. It only answered a couple of my questions in using the Kindle. I was hoping for a more in depth one - similar to the one on the Kindle itself but in paper form