"How to Do Everything With Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003" - Ellen Finkelstein

This book really does show you how to do everything in PowerPoint 2003. Each time I thought of a topic to check out, there it was right there, and explained in a clear and concise manner. Ellen Finkelstein writes in a way that makes it seem that she is right beside you, guiding you along. It is easy to recognize why Ellen is a frequent and requested contributor to presentation Web sites including PresentersUniversity.com and InfoComm International.

How to Do Everything With Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 by Ellen Finkelstein is a wonderful resource for anyone wanting to learn how to use this powerful presentation software. Ellen takes you through all the steps of creating a presentation and then includes many tips on how to deliver it to your audience -- often a forgotten part of the presentation process. Her writing style is friendly but informative. Helpful tips and cautions that are specific to the current topic, are highlighted along the way.

Sometimes you just need to know in a hurry, how to do a specific task. The Table of Contents clearly outlines what to expect in each chapter, so it is an easy matter to find exactly what you need to know at that moment.

I found the chapter on adding charts to a presentation to be especially informative for a beginner. Ellen goes the extra steps, explaining all the different chart types, which is often confusing to a new user.

My only criticism is the lack of any color photos in the book. PowerPoint is a very visual presentation tool and the areas of the book designated to discussing color combinations and contrast would certainly be more effective with the addition of color.

All in all, this book is a ideal resource for those wishing to learn how to use PowerPoint or to build on their current knowledge. It will have a prominent place on my bookshelf for easy reference.