I second the previous review in some ways. I received the book as a gift and was excited. Once I cracked it open, art materials at the ready, I was very disappointed. The cover offers better artwork than the details and instructions inside. Having only three "races" was also disappointing. Many of the countries didn't seem to match the ethnic background that was offered. There needed to be a larger range of just African America, Asian, and Caucasian features. However, I did like the costumes. That being said, perhaps instead of studying on the characters racial features (how only three describe all countries is beyond me) the artists should have made it a book about costumes or clothes. I didn't feel the eyes, hair, skin tones and the like, were appropriate for the models country/background. If you are purchasing this book, etc. be warned they only give you three ethnic choices. The artist does try to change it up a bit by giving you interracial looks, but all he does is change the hair styles and eye colors, maybe even an eye and facial shape too. Again, there are many nice clothing choices, but do not depend on the artist's interpretation of a certain culture based on the manga character. ( )

This review is a warning: don't buy this book. It only exists to supposedly show you how to draw people from different races. As the author of the most in-depth artist's guide to human types that I know of, I feel pretty confident in saying it has nothing of value to offer. Its division of the entire human race in 3 types is enough to make eyebrows rise, but the "characteristics" it outlines are pure fantasy. They blatantly contradict reality and what anyone can observe with the naked eye. What this may be is a guide to drawing people according to manga convention, that is not necessarily grounded in reality. So it may be useful to you if your intention is to be strictly faithful to the manga style. Beyond this, it is both useless and insulting. I flipped to the "Middle Eastern bishoujo" for kicks, and didn't know if I should laugh or cry. The one reason why I didn't send this book right back was that scattered throughout it are diagrams of how various traditional fashions are worn. But unless you're an ethnic fashion freak like I am, or a manga fanatic, save your money for a better reference (and some of the other volumes in this How to Draw Manga series are quite worth it.) ( )