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Rating: 
Summary: A must read primer for any screenwriter.
Review: Being a professor of ancient Greek classics, I am impressed that a mass-market book about Aristotle's Poetics possesses such keen insights into the breadth of the work, including Tierno's fluidity with tying back the Poetics to Aristotle's greater system of thought. Perhaps if more Hollywood screenwriters would adhere to Tierno's teaching of Aristotle there might be more sophisticated enjoyable adult films coming out of the modern studio system. -Being a professor of ancient Greek classics, I am impressed that a mass-market book about Aristotle's Poetics possesses such keen insights into the breadth of the work, including Tierno's fluidity with tying back the Poetics to Aristotle's greater system of thought. Perhaps if more Hollywood screenwriters would adhere to Tierno's teaching of Aristotle there might be more sophisticated enjoyable adult films coming out of the modern studio system.
-Ancient Greek Classics Professor
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Summary: absolute rubbish
Review: Don't let the word "Aristotle's Poetics" in the title fool you. This is quite possibly the worst book on screenwriting ever written. It is scant and superficial, the film examples are weak and often wrongly applied to Aristotle's teachings. When I saw the title for this (being a screenwriter myself), I had high hopes that this would be an insightful, illuminating work on Aristotle's theories - it is anything but. This is the first book I have read where I couldn't force myself to read on after the third chapter - every other book I have read in my life (hundreds - fiction and non-fiction), I have managed to finish.The truth of the matter is, to learn about Aristotle's Poetics, don't go to a weak, money-making attempt like "Aristotle's Poetics for Screenwriters"- go to the original source itself. "Aristotle's Poetics" is available everywhere (including Amazon) and even though it may need re-reading to fully grasp some of the things Aristotle is talking about (because it's not written in a conversational/asinine manner like this book), it is a must for any serious writer (screenwriter or otherwise). If you do want a more insightful/helpful book that addresses screenwriting in a serious manner, check out Lajos Egri's "The Art of Dramatic Writing" or Linda Seger's "How to Make a Good Screenplay Great". If Aristotle were still alive, he'd sue Michael Tierno for what he's written here. Avoid this book like the plague.
Rating: 
Summary: It really helps to understand screenwritng concepts
Review: Finally, a significant hands-on approach to screen writing...something with definition...great examples. Writers take notice! Rise up above the mediocraty and give us substance.
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Summary: Easy to Read and Full of Practical Examples
Review: Finally, a significant hands-on approach to screen writing...something with definition...great examples. Writers take notice! Rise up above the mediocraty and give us substance.
Rating:
Summary: A real find! Inspiring and practical, too
Review: Many screenwriting gurus say "Everything you need to know about how to write good drama is in Aristotle's Poetics," but then they never explain what's actually in that work! I've tried reading Aristotle's original text, but it is really tough going. Tierno's book is a real find - it boils down a rambling, classics text into concise concepts, tips and techniques that I could understand and use. Tierno provides examples of how all this stuff really works in a variety of films, too. This book is not only practical, but pretty inspiring, too. It gets to the "heart" and "roots" of good drama, something you can forget about when you get bogged down with a script. After reading this, I was excited and motivated to return to my own work.
Rating:
Summary: It really helps to understand screenwritng concepts
Review: This book has not only helped me to understand the somewhat complex art of dramatic stroy telling - but it has helped me to help others. Recently working on a documentaty project with a first time director, this book allowed him to internalize and distill his thoughts into a more cohesive vision, that was readily translatable to an audience. I would reccomend this book to any one who wants to gain insight and understanding to "the movies."
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