I have the book on order as well and cued up for the week long SOA Steadicam course in May. I feel really fortunate being able to pour over the book before the course starts.

Got the book _ Man just golden if you know absolutely nothing and I bet valuable even if you do!

BUY IT.

Great, great, great book. Widely varied material - from great for beginner to great for intermediate. I'm not advanced, so I can't well speak to the high end. But, wow.

Speaking on behalf of the high end (!), it's a great book no matter where you are coming from. Lots of tasty tidbits for all (not counting the many pix of yours truly, some downright historic/prehistoric)!

Oh, come on Charles! I thought the pictures of you were great! I especially liked the beard...

I was going to say about the beard.

I can probably play matchup with various rigs I've owned over the years and the accompanying facial hair--Model 1=beard, Model 3=goatee, PRO=clean shaven, current hybrid=jazz patch...! Now that I'm contemplating a change in rigs, might be time for a new look, any suggestions? Joaquim Phoenix/mountain man? Shaved head? 70's moustache?

Hollywood or Mohawk, preferably a Hollywood.

has to be the 70's moustache, can you imagine that in the Steadicam Operators Handbook edition 2.

Charles with a look straight out of the village people but holding a modern stabilizer.

Perhaps a Fu-Manchu?

Hollywood... in blond. Now that's two votes for a Hollywood.