Good Read calls this book a "comprehensive primer to the techniques, words, and phrases of signing" (see References 1). In addition to an introduction that discusses the causes of deafness, the book is divided into 17 thematic sections. Each section demonstrates the signs for a different kind of interaction, including "Pronouns, People, & Relationships" and "Mealtime & Food." The advantage of this book is its photographic illustrations, which show readers how to form words with large, easy-to-see pictures. Start ASL calls it "a wonderful resource."
Like "Talking With Your Hands," this book is also divided into thematic chapters that deal with different kinds of activities and interactions, such as "Weather," "Family" and "School." Unlike the previous book, however, this book, goes beyond teaching words and teaches entire phrases. In addition, this book is illustrated to allow readers to see exactly how to position their hands and fingers.
While the emphasis of this book is less on instruction, it more than makes up for that fact in breadth. This dictionary contains more than 5,000 signs, accompanied by more than 8,000 illustrations. You may not be able to use it to make entire phrases, but for learning what a sign means, or how to sign a specific word, it is an essential tool.
This book is geared toward the novice, who is trying to learn sign language for the first time, as well as for interpreting students and for the deaf. "American Sign Language The Easy Way" is organized into an introduction, a section on the 11 grammatical rules of American Sign Language, and 36 lessons that allow you to practice these rules. The book also contains sections on deaf culture and promises "to make learning American Sign Language as easy as it is useful, both for instructors and students."