If you want to be a writer or a director, I highly recommend this book. You will be delighted as Mckee makes this book extremely entertaining and insightful.

Mckee's "Story" is an entertaining long essay on one man's observations and opinions of the Hollywood screenplay a generation ago. His idiosyncrasy is his multi-act division of a screenplay: five, seven, nine or more. He gives his definition of an act and his analysis seems reasonable. But I'm not sure that I come to the same conclusion when I try to repeat his analysis on my own. As to a scene, his analysis is more conventional. I did like his metaphor of finding "the gap" in a scene. The idea being that the best scenes go beyond what is actually happening and what the audience expects to happen; to open "a gap" in the scene that exposes the unexpected. Overall, I liked "Story". I'm not so sure it will be useful in writing a screenplay but it did make me think about the mechanics of a scene.

I've read several books on screenwriting and story over the years and this is by far the most comprehensive and insightful work I have ever encountered. Syd Field books are great too but McKee goes into greater detail. It's the bible for all aspects of the art and craft of storytelling and it's usefulness trancends well beyond even its original focus on screenwriting. It's a must for all storytellers and should be read over and over again. peace

This is by far the best book I've laid my hands on. Not only does it give insightful information about screenwriting, but it also covers material for the aspiring novelist. This book put me on the right track in everything from style, to structure, to the actual editing process.<BR><BR>If you aspire in screenwriting or novel writing, check this book first...then look everywhere else to fill the few gaps that remain.<BR><BR>Five brilliant stars out of five...

If you want to know what makes a story tick on the inside, then you should definitely read this book. McKee's academic/analytical approach to what makes a story great is awe inspiring. You'll find his writing very persuasive.