I can't imaging being able to complete this or other Zelda games (Ocarina, Majora's Mask) without some sort of reference guide like this. The nuances and sidequests would just be wayyyy too much for the average Joe to figure out without some help.

That said, while there are more "hints" built in to Windwaker, the guidebook is a great reference in finding hard-to-find items such as heart pieces, treasure, etc. It also has a pull-out map of the great sea with all of the islands and what can or cannot be found on all of them. This, in addition to the standard walk-through make the guide a great value. Throw in the walk-through for Ocarina of Time (for those who bought the Windwaker/Ocarina Master Quest set) and it's amazing it didn't cost more.

Well worth the investment if you just HAVE to have every single item in the game. :)

This strategy guide is excellent. The Legend of Zelda series has a tradition of complex puzzles and hidden items that are enough to drive even the most ardent fan batty while trying to play the game to the end. I long ago decided that I would rather be able to enjoy the game I spent my hard-earned money on than to curse it and its designers for my lack of insight. This guide is especially helpful with the side quests, although I might have asked for dungeon maps that weren't quite as confusing. As a bonus, you also get a complete walkthrough of the bonus Ocarina of Time: Master Quest disc. All in all, a great guide for a superb game. Well done!

I have bought lots of strategy guides over the years and I found this guide the most helpful. Although I tried the game without it first I really wanted to get every last heart-piece and item in the game. This guide has TONS of information and helpful screenshots to get you through the game. Definitely recommended

I am a descendant of one of the women in this book (Penelope Stout). The book is apparently supposed to be a children book, but I found it remarkably informative and interesting. The author takes the stories of four women and brings them together with some historical background to present a fun to read narrative. Along the way are many unobtrusive but (to me) immensely interesting side notes (including origins of place names and historical tidbits).