This book, along with the other titles in the series: "Modeling the Head in Clay" and "Terracotta," is an excellent resource for beginning sculptors. In fact, if I could buy only one book on sculpting, it would be one of these three (and most probably this one). The book is a walk-though of a single sculpture, which is instructive, but it is also a great reference. Mr. Lucchesi's style is realistic with natural poses, and quite pleasing -- it exudes peace and repose. Ms. Malmstrom has a gift for photographing and describing exactly those parts of the process most interesting to students. The medium is clay, and I'm working in wax, but I have not found this to be a problem. Be advised that it concentrates on the female figure, so an additional anatomy book may be helpful for proportioning male figures.