Preliminary list. I write novels for a living, so overkill levels of “inspiration reading” is…a habit… Note that my MFA program uses a bespoke citation format (to accommodate the wild variety of media we end up referencing) so if the bibliographic formatting looks odd (especially on the nonfiction books, which is most of what’s formatted), that’s why. Annotations to come.—YHL
Art & Illustration
anjjaemi (Instagram).
Tony DiTerlizzi, especially his work on AD&D’s Planescape.
Lydia Fenwick of Lyfe Illustration.
Iplehouse ball-jointed dolls.
Adam Kubert.
Kim Kuzuri.
Stephanie Law of Shadowscapes.
Alice Picard.
Luis Royo.
Esther Sanz of Fatum Cards.
Brian Stelfreeze.
The Voynich Manuscript.
Mario Wibisono (Instagram).
Matt D. Wilson.
Yoshitaka Amano.
Zephyrant.
Books and Stories (Fiction)
Lloyd Alexander. The Kestrel (Westmark Trilogy #2).
Nick Bantock. Griffin and Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence.
Greg Bear. The Infinity Concerto and The Serpent Mage (duology); “Hardfought.”
Fredric Brown. “Letter to a Phoenix” (Astounding Science Fiction, August 1949).
C. J. Cherryh. Cyteen.
Carolyn Clowes. The Pandora Principle (tie-in novel for Star Trek: The Original Series).
Pat Conroy. The Lords of Discipline.
Tony Daniel. “A Dry, Quiet War” (Asimov’s, June 1996).
Gordon R. Dickson. Soldier, Ask Not.
David Drake. Rolling Hot (Hammer’s Slammers series).
Harlan Ellison. “The Deathbird” (in Deathbird Stories).
Alan Garner. Red Shift.
Parke Godwin. Firelord.
Geraldine Harris. #1 Prince of the Godborn; #2 Children of the Wind; #3 The Dead Kingdom; #4 The Seventh Gate (Seven Citadels Quartet).
Joseph Heller. Catch-22.
Douglas Hill. Galactic Warlord (Last Legionary #1).
Henry Kuttner (and likely also C. L. Moore). The Dark World.
C. S. Lewis. Till We Have Faces.
K. J. Parker. Purple and Black and “A Small Price to Pay for Birdsong.”
Elizabeth Marie Pope. The Perilous Gard.
Django Wexler. A Thousand Names. The Shadow Campaigns, Book 1. [INFO]
Roger Zelazny. Creatures of Light and Darkness; “The Engine at Heartspring’s Center”; Nine Princes in Amber (Chronicles of Amber #1).
Books (Nonfiction)
Ackerman, A. and B. Puglisi. The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma. (?: ?, 2017).
Aho, A. V., R. Sethi, and J. D. Ullman. Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools. (Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1986).
Airey, D. Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities, 2nd ed. (?, USA: New Riders, 2015).
Alburger, J. R. The Art of Voice Acting: The Craft and Business of Performing for Voiceover, 5th edition. (Burlington, MA: Focal Press, 2015).
Alger, J. I. Definitions and Doctrines of the Military Art: Past and Present. (Wayne, NJ: Avery Publishing Group, 1985).
Almond. R. Medieval Hunting. (Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: The History Press, 2011).
Andersonm, K., D. Cady-Lee, C. Carre, and H. Mengert. Creating Characters for the Entertainment Industry: Character Design for Animation, Illustration and Video Games. (Worcester, UK: 3dtotal Publishing, 2019).
Anderson, R. Security Engineering. [INFO]
Andrée, R. V. Selections from Modern Abstract Algebra. [INFO]
Andrews, W. Medieval Punishments: An Illustrated History of Torture. (New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing, 2013).
Arpaci-Dusseau, R. Z. and A. C. Arpaci-Dusseau. Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces. (???: ???, 2018).
Ascher, M. Ethnomathematics: A Multicultural View of Mathematical Ideas. (Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 1991).
Ascher, M. Mathematics Elsewhere: An Exploration of Ideas Across Cultures. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2002).
Baldry, J. The Papercraft Ideas Book. (London, UK: Octopus Publishing Group, 2020).
Bang, M. Picture This: How Pictures Work, revised and expanded 25th anniversary ed. (San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2016).
Barr, G. Why Photographs Work: 52 Great Images: Who Made Them, What Makes Them Special and Why. (Santa Barbara, CA: Rocky Nook, 2011).
Bartley, D. Sketch Workshop: Robots and Spaceships. (Worcester, UK: 3dtotal Publishing, 2015).
Bassin, M., C. Ely, and M. K. Stockdale, eds. Space, Place, and Power in Modern Russia: Essays in the New Spatial History. (Dekalb, IL: Northern Illinois University Press, 2018).
Baudrillard, J. Trans. S. F. Glaser. Simulacra and Simulation. (Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 1994).
Beebe, F. L. A Falconry Manual: A Practical Guide to Training Hawks and Falcons. (Blaine, WA: Hancock House Publishers, 1984).
Beeley, P. and C. D. Hollings. Beyond the Learned Academy: The Practice of Mathematics, 1600-1850. (Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2024).
Beiman, N. Animated Performance: Bringing Imaginary Animal, Human and Fantasy Characters to Life, 2nd ed. (New York, NY: Fairchild Books, 2016).
Bellantoni, P. If It’s Purple, Someone’s Gonna Die. (Burlington, MA: Focal Press, 2005).
Besen, E. Illus. by B. Hallett. Animation Unleashed: 100 Principles Every Animator, Comic Book Writer, Filmmaker, Video Artist and Game Developer Should Know. (Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2008).
Birch, H. Drawn from Life. [INFO]
Bishop, R. Beyond Anatomy: Proportion, Power, and Personality: An Artist’s Guide to Bridging the Gap between Anatomy and Character. (China: Masters of Anatomy, 2025).
Black, J. Rethinking Geopolitics. (Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 2024).
Blainey, G. Causes of War, 3rd ed. (Hong Kong: The Free Press, 1988).
Blair, A., P. Duguid, A. Goeing, and A. Grafton, eds. Information: A Historical Companion. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2021).
Blair, P. Advanced Animation. (?: Walter T. Foster, 1949).
Blair, P. Cartoon Animation. (Lake Forest, CA: Walter Foster Publishing, 1994).
Bolt, R. The Encyclopaedia of Liars and Deceivers. Trans. A. Brown. (London, UK: Reaktion Books, 2014).
Bowkett, S. Archi-Doodle: An Architect’s Activity Book. (London, UK: Laurence King Publishing Ltd, 2013).
Bringhurst, R. Elements of Typographic Style. Vancouver, B.C.: Hartley and Marks, 1992.
Buhler, J. and D. Neumeyer. Hearing the Movies: Music and Sound in Film History, 2nd ed. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2016).
Calderin, J. Fashion Design Essentials: 100 Principles of Fashion Design. (Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers, 2011).
Cann, H. How to Make Hand-Drawn Maps: A Creative Guide. (San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2018).
Caponi, S. Guided Tarot: A Beginner’s Guide to Card Meanings, Spreads, and Intuitive Exercises. (New York, NY: Zeitgeist, 2020).
Cawthorne, N. Confirmed Kill: Heroic Sniper Stories from the Jungles of Vietnam to the Mountains of Afghanistan. (Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press, 2012).
Chan, C. Architectural Guides for Travelers: Imperial China. [INFO]
Chartier, T. and A. Langville. Nonstandard Notebook: Mathematically Ruled Pages for Unruly Thoughts. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2024).
Chion, M. Ed. and trans. C. Gorbman. Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen, 2nd ed. (New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 2017).
Chirot, D. and C. McCauley. Why Not Kill Them All?: The Logic and Prevention of Mass Political Murder. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2006).
Cho, F. Drawing Beautiful Women: The Frank Cho Method. [INFO]
Clifton, D. Discover Your CliftonStrengths. (New York, NY: Gallup Press, 2020).
Connell, E. H. Elements of Abstract and Linear Algebra. [INFO]
Cooke, M., ed. The Hollywood Film Music Reader. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2010).
Cowden, T. Fallen Heroes: Sixteen Master Villain Archetypes. (Las Vegas, NV: Fey Cow Productions, 2017).
Cowden, T., D., C. LaFever, and S. Viders. The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes. (Las Vegas, NV: Archetype Press, 2013). – Note: oriented toward category romance and similar genres.
Creveld, M. V. Command in War. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1985).
Creveld, M. V. Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton. (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1977).
Crystal, D. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. [INFO]
Cummins, J. The Hound and the Hawk: The Art of Medieval Hunting. (London, UK: Phoenix Press, 1988).
Cure, S. and A. Farina. Graphic Design Play Book: An Exploration of Visual Thinking. [INFO]
Davies, S. Musical Meaning and Expression. (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1994).
DeWoskin, K. J. A Song for One or Two: Music and the Concept of Art in Early China. (Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, 1982).
Dréan, I. with O. McKenzie. How to Write a Vertical Series in 10 Days: The Complete Guide to Microdrama Storytelling. (?: 21dayscreenplay.com, 2025). [I suspect this is print-on-demand?]
Dunavent, J. How to Draw Airplanes. [INFO]
Dunn, A. Pen and Ink Drawing: A Simple Guide. [INFO]
Dunnigan, J. F. and A. A. Nofi. Victory and Deceit: Dirty Tricks at War. (New York, NY: William Morrow and Company, 1995).
Duntemann, J. Assembly Language Step-by-Step. (New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1992).
Eiseman, L. The Complete Color Harmony: Pantone Edition: Expert Color Information for Professional Results. (Beverly, MA: Quarto Publishing Group, 2017).
Emerson, J. and P. Babtie. The Dyscalculia Assessment, 2nd ed. (London, UK: Bloomsbury Education, 2013).
Fidell, E. R. Military Justice: A Very Short Introduction. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2016).
Fletcher, M. Illustrations by R. Polley. Architectural Styles: A Visual Guide. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2020).
Freitas, E. The Clockwork of Eric Freitas. (?: ?, ?).
Friedman, D. Sound Advice: Voiceover from an Audio Engineer’s Perspective. (Bloomington, Indiana: AuthorHouse, 2010).
Gaddis, J. L. On Grand Strategy. (New York, NY: Penguin Press, 2018).
Gilbert, W. Simplified Drawing for Planning Animation. [INFO]
Goldberg, E. Character Animation Crash Course! [INFO]
Green, A. Gloves: An Intimate History. (London, UK: Reaktion Books, 2021).
Grossman, Lt. Col. D. On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society. [INFO]
Hamm, J. Drawing the Head and Figure. (New York, NY: Perigee, 1983).
Hampton, M. Figure Drawing: Design and Invention. (China: M. Hampton, 2013).
Hawley, W. M. Chinese Folk Designs. [INFO]
Hazen, J. M. What Rebels Want: Resources and Supply Networks in Wartime. (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2013).
Heller, L., ed. American Sign Language: Learn the Basics Fast. (New York, NY: Fall River Press, 2014).
Heisig, J. W. Remembering the Hiragana: A Complete Course on How to Teach Yourself the Japanese Syllabary in 3 Hours. [INFO]
Hiu, E., LTC, USA (Ret.). Army Officer’s Guide, 54th ed. (Lanham, MD: Stackpole Books, 2023).
Hlavács, G. The Exceptionally Simple Theory of Sketching: Why Do Professional Sketches Look Beautiful? (Amsterdam, The Netherlands: BIS Publishers, 2014).
Hofstadter, D. Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid. [INFO]
Howard, H. You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Idea Workbook. (?: One Creative (?), 2021).
Huizinga, J. Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture. (Eastford, CT: Martino Fine Books, 2014).
Huntington, R. Alien Kind: Foxes and Late Imperial Chinese Narrative. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center, 2003).
Hutchings, T. A Collection of Improving Exercises. (?????)
Ifrah, G. The Universal History of Numbers. [INFO]
Irvine, K. R. Assembly Language for x86 Processors, 6th ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2011).
Itadori, S., K. Ueno, KiKi, and GomTang. Manga Muscles: An Artist’s Guide to Drawing Powerful Male Bodies. (Rutland, VT: Tuttle Publishing, 2022).
Jagoda, P. Experimental Games: Critique, Play, and Design in the Age of Gamification. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2020).
Jaynes, J. The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. [INFO]
Jennings, J. M. and C. Steele, eds. The Worst Military Leaders in History. (London, UK: Reaktion Books, 2022).
Jones, A. The Art of War in the Western World. (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1987).
Jones, P. J. The Anatomy of Style: Figure Drawing Techniques. (London, UK: Korero Press, 2016).
Kane, H. The Style Thesaurus. (London, UK: Laurence King Publishing, 2023).
Kazuo, N. and H. Kazuo. What Is Japanese Architecture? [INFO]
Kim, D. Space Drawing Perspective. [INFO]
Kim, R. Rockhe Kim’s Line Drawing Technique, vol. 1. (?: ?, ?).
Kitely, B. The 4 A.M. Breakthrough: Unconventional Writing Exercises That Transform Your Fiction. (Cincinnati, OH: Writer’s Digest Books, 2008).
Knight, C. and J. Glaser. The Graphic Design Exercise Book: Creative Briefs to Enhance Your Skills and Develop Your Portfolio. (Georgetown, Ontario, Canada: How Books, 2010).
Knospe, H. A Course in Cryptography. (Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society, 2019).
Kobayashi, S. Colorist: A Practical Handbook for Personal and Professional Use. (Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha International, ?).
Kuga, M. Galois’ Dream: Group Theory and Differential Equations. Trans. S. Addington and M. Mulase. (Boston, MA: Birkhäuser Boston, 1993).
Ladefoged, P. A Course in Phonetics, 3rd ed. (Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, 1993).
LaFosse, M. G. Making Origami Vehicles Step by Step. [INFO]
Lang, R. D. Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art, 2nd ed. [INFO]
Langenbacher, E., B. Niven, and R. Wittlinger, eds. Dynamics of Memory and Identity in Contemporary Europe. (New York, NY: Berghahn Books, 2012).
Lapadula, T. Learn to Draw Military Machines: Step-by-Step Instructions for More Than 25 High-Powered Vehicles. (Beverly, MA: Quarto Publishing Group, 2016).w
Lavery, B, compiled by. The Royal Navy Officer’s Pocket-Book, 1944. (London, UK: Conway, ?).
Leapfrogs Group. Images of Infinity. (Norfolk, England: Tarquin Publications, 1992).
Ledwidge, F. Aerial Warfare: A Very Short Introduction. (Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2020).
Lee, W. E. Waging War: Conflict, Culture, and Innovation in World History. (Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2016).
Lidwell, W., K. Holden, and J. Butler. The Pocket Universal Principles of Design: 150 Essential Tools for Architects, Artists, Designers, Developers, Engineers, Inventors, and Makers. (Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers, 2015).
Lupton, E. Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, and Students, 3rd ed. revised and expanded. (New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press, 2024).
Mackesy, C. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. (?: HarperOne, ?).
Martineau, J., ed. Designa: Technical Secrets of the Traditional Visual Arts. (New York, NY: Bloomsbury, 2014).
Mascelli, J. V. The Five C’s of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques. (Los Angeles, CA: Silman-James Press, 1965).
Masters of Anatomy. Clothing and Body Language. (China: 2387171 Ontario Inc., 2025).
Mastroianni, G., B. Palmer, D. Penetar, and V. Tepe. A Warrior’s Guide to Psychology and Performance: What You Should Know About Yourself and Others. (Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books, Inc., 2011).
Mattesi, M. D. Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators. (Boston, MA: Focal Press, 2006).
McGuire, J. M. Wolves, Foxes and Coyotes: Takes Your Wildlife Painting to the Next Level. (Brattleboro, VT: Echo Point Books and Media, 2017).
McGuire, S. H. Keys to Perspective: Fundamentals of Perspective in Theory and Practical Application. (Torrance, CA: Skylite Studio, 1972).
McIntosh, W. A. Guide to Effective Military Writing, 2nd ed. (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1994).
Metternich, H. R. Illustrated by N. Baatartsog. Mongolian Folktales. (Boulder, CO: Avery Press, 1996).
Meyers, W. E. Aliens and Linguists: Language Study and Science Fiction. (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1980).
Milgram, S. Obedience to Authority. [INFO]
Millen, R. A., Lt. Col., USA. Command Legacy: A Tactical Primer for Junior Leaders of Infantry Units. (Washington, D.C.: Brassey’s, Inc., 2002).
Miller, A. Dressed to Kill: British Naval Uniform, Masculinity and Contemporary Fashions, 1748-1857. (London, UK: National Maritime Museum, 2021).
Mitchell, J. The Gun Digest Book of Pistolsmithing: The Art and Science of Handgun Gunsmithing. (Northfield, I:: DBI Books, 1980).
Monmonier, M. How to Lie with Maps, 3rd ed. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1991).
Moore, G. H. Zermelo’s Axiom of Choice: Its Origins, Development, and Influence. (Garden City, NY: Dover Publications, 2013).
Moreno, R. Weapons Poses: Masters of Anatomy: Book 9. (China: Ontario Inc., 2022).
Nadi, A. Nadi on Fencing. (Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2005).
Nasar, S. A Beautiful Mind. [INFO]
Needham, T. Visual Complex Analysis. [INFO]
Nettl, B. The Study of Ethnomusicology: Thirty-Three Discussions, 3rd ed. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2015).
Nigg, J. The Phoenix: An Unnatural Biography of a Mythical Beast. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2016).
Norling, E. R. Perspective Made Easy. [INFO]
Norman, D. The Design of Everyday Things. [INFO]
Nye, R. H. The Challenge of Command. (Wayne, NJ: Avery Publishing Group, 1986).
O’Connell, J.M. and S. E. Castelo-Branco, eds. Music and Conflict. (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press: 2010).
Ogawa, T. and M. Morimoto, eds. Mathematics of Takebe Katahiro and History of Mathematics in East Asia. (???, Japan: Mathematical Society of Japan, 2018).
Ording, P. 99 Variations on a Proof. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2019).
Owsinski, B. The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook, 5th ed. (Burbank, CA: Bobby Owsinski Media Group, 2022).
Paulos, J. A. Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences. [INFO]
Peakman, J. Licentious Worlds: Sex and Exploitation in Global Empires. (London, UK: Reaktion Books, 2019).
Pease, A. and Pease, B. The Definitive Book of Body Language. (New York, NY: Bantam Books, 2004). — I have questions about some of this as real-world research, but for the purposes of “body language tropes” as animation reference, I think it’s okitty.
Peterson, I. The Mathematical Tourist. [INFO]
Phillips, T. R., Brig. Gen., ed. Roots of Strategy: The 5 Greatest Military Classics of All Time Complete in One Volume: Sun Tzu, Vegetius, De Saxe, Frederick, Napoleon. (Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1985).
Piekos, N. The Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering. (Portland, OR: Image Comics, 2022).
Rabkin, W. Writing the Pilot. (?: moon & sun & whiskey inc., 2011).
Rabkin, W. Writing the Pilot: Creating the Series. (?: moon & sun & whiskey inc., 2017).
Reed, A. A. 50 Years of Text Games: From Oregon Trail to AI Dungeon and Everything. (Oakland, CA: Changeful Tales Press, 2023). — Yes, this is Aaron A. Reed of Blue Lacuna (IF) fame!
Reed, T. Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners. [INFO]
Ridler, J. S. Mavericks of War: The Unconventional, Unorthodox Innovators and Thinkers, Scholars, and Outsiders Who Mastered the Art of War. (Lanham, MD: Stackpole Books, 2018).
Riekenhof, L. L. The Joy of Signing: The New Illustrated Guide for Mastering Sign Language and the Manual Alphabet. (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1978).
Roberts, M. L. What Soldiers Do: Sex and the American GI in World War II France. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2013).
Robertson, S. with T. Bertling. How to Draw: Drawing and Sketching Objects and Environments from Your Imagination. (Culver City, CA: Design Studio Press, 2013).
Roukes, N. Art Synectics. [INFO]
Sagan, C. Cosmos. [INFO]
Saint-Gilles, A. Mingei: Japan’s Enduring Folk Arts. (Rutland, VT: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1989).
Sakurai, T. Traditional Colors of Japan: The Complete Guide for Designers and Graphic Artists. (North Clarendon, VT: Tuttle Publishing, 2018).
Saydak, P. Everyone Can Learn Origami. [INFO]
Schading, B. with R. Schading, U.S.M.C. and Major V. Slayton, U.S. Army, Ret. A Civilian’s Guide to the U.S. Military: A Comprehensive Reference to the Customs, Language, and Structure of the Armed Forces. (Cincinnati, OH: Writer’s Digest Books, 2007).
Setton, S. H. The Spirit of the Brush. [INFO]
Seymour, W. Decision in Battle: Yours to Reason Why. [INFO]
Shedroff, N. and C. Noessel. Make It So: Interaction Design Lessons from Science Fiction. (Brooklyn, NY: Rosenfeld Media, 2012).
Slim, H. Killing Civilians: Method, Madness and Morality in War. (New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 2010).
Sobieck, B. The Writer’s Guide to Weapons: A Practical Reference to Using Firearms and Knives in Fiction. (Cincinnati, OH: Writer’s Digest Books, 2015).
Solis, G. D. The Law of Armed Conflict: International Humanitarian Law in War. (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2010).
Sonnenschein, D. Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice, and Sound Effects in Cinema. (Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2001).
Stein, S. K. Military Strategy for Writers. (???: Jeweled Sea Press, 2023). —Note to self: this may have been print on demand.
Steinberg, M. P. Listening to Reason: Culture, Subjectivity, and Nineteenth-Century Music. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2004).
Suh, J. Korean Patterns. [INFO]
Sun, H., trans. The Wiles of War: 36 Military Strategies from Ancient China. (Beijing, China: Foreign Languages Press, 1993).
Sun Tzu. The Art of War. Trans. L. Binnie. [INFO]
Suvorov, V. Spetsnaz: The Inside Story of the Soviet Special Forces. [INFO]
Talmadge, C. The Dictator’s Army: Battlefield Effectiveness in Authoritarian Regimes. (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2015).
Tomlinson, P. Character Creation: A Guide to Archetypes, Motivation and Emotion for Writers and Actors. (?: Paul Tomlinson, 2018).
Tomlinson, P. Plot Basics: Plot Your Novel or Screenplay in Eight Sequences. (?: Paul Tomlinson, 2017).
Tomlinson, P. Writing a Series: How to Plan and Develop a Series of Novels. (?: Paul Tomlinson, 2024).
U.S. Marine Corps. FMFRP 12-1 Infantry in Battle. (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Navy?, 1988).
Uyechi, L. The Geometry of Visual Phonology. (Stanford, CA: CSLI Publications: 1996).
Vanko, C. Hand-Lettering for Everyone: A Creative Workbook. (New York, NY: Perigee, 2015).
Watson, P. War on the Mind: The Military Uses and Abuses of Psychology. (New York, NY: Basic Books, 1978).
Westermann, E. B. Drunk on Genocide: Alcohol and Mass Murder in Nazi Germany. (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2021).
Weston, J. Directing Actors: Creating Memorable Performances for Film and Television, 25th Anniversary Edition. (Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2021).
Whitaker, H. and J. Halas. Updated by T. Sito. Timing for Animation, 3rd ed. (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2021).
White, D. Sketch Workshop: Mechs and Weapons. (Worcester, UK: 3dtotal Publishing, 2017).
White, T. How to Make Animated Films. [INFO]
Whittington, W. Sound Design and Science Fiction. (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2007).
Williams, R. The Animator’s Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators, Expanded Edition. (New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009). — A classic for a reason; the Books adaptation for iPad is excellent as well.
Williams, R. The Non-Designer’s Design Book. [INFO]
Willis, F. Faces and Features. (?: Walter T. Foster, ?).
Withington, J. Assassin’s Deeds: A History of Assassination from Ancient Egypt to the Present Day. (London, UK: Reaktion Books, 2020).
Wood, W. J. Leaders and Battles: The Art of Military Leadership. (Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1984).
Woodman, W. Back to the Drawing Board: Drawing People, 2nd ed. (?: ?, 2017).
Yeung, J. L. and the Toronto Guqin Society. Standards of the Guqin: An English Language Introduction to the Chinese Seven-Stringed Zither, 4th ed. (???: Toronto Guqin Society, ???).
Yi S. Trans. T. Ha. Ed. P. Sohn. Nanjung Ilgi: War Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. (Seoul, South Korea: Yonsei University Press, 1977).
???. Traditional Handicraft. (???: ???, ???). [INFO? This is bilingual in Chinese and English, and the bibliographic information in the book is in Chinese, which I don’t read.]
[MORE TK]
Cartoons, Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga/Manhwa, Sequential Art
CLAMP. Clover (manga).
Alex de Campi (writer) and Erica Henderson (artist). Dracula, Motherf*cker! (graphic novel).
Alex de Campi (writer) and Erica Henderson (artist). Parasocial (graphic novel).
Hamletmachine. Starfighter vols. 1-5. (Hong Kong: ?, 2014?). [Nota bene: Available online, but so very NSFW.]
Scott McCloud. Understanding Comics; Making Comics; Reinventing Comics.
Brennan Lee Mulligan (writer) and Molly Ostertag (artist). Strong Female Protagonist, Book One (graphic novel).
Randall Munrose. xkcd: a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
Shūzo Ōshimi. Blood on the Tracks; Inside Mari; Welcome Home, Alice (manga).
Rann. Memento Mori vols. 1-2 (graphic novel).
Maximilien Uriarte. Terminal Lance (graphic novel printing of a webcomic).
Tillie Walden. On a Sunbeam (graphic novel).
Joss Whedon (writer), Karl Moline (pencils), Andy Owens (inks), Dave Stewart and Michelle Madsen (colors), Michelle Madsen (letters). Fray: Future Vampire Slayer.
Yagi Norihiro. Claymore (manga).
Film, TV, Music Videos, Related Media
86 (anime).
Aldnoah.Zero (anime).
Alien Stage (YouTube music video series).
Angel 4.11 “Soulless.”
Apothecary Diaries (anime).
Arcane: League of Legends (Netflix).
Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Batman Beyond.
Battlestar Galactica (reboot) and Battlestar Galactica: Razor.
A Beautiful Mind (2001).
Castlevania (animated).
Code Geass R1 and R2 (anime).
Critical Role (Twitch, YouTube).
The Dragon Prince.
The Expanse (TV).
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (anime).
The Heroic Legend of Arslan (anime OAVs).
I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire (anime).
Jessica Jones (Netflix).
Invincible (animated).
Justice League and Justice League Unlimited (animated).
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (anime).
K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025).
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These (anime).
The Legend of Vox Machina (Netflix?).
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (anime).
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (anime).
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (anime).
Mo Dao Zu Shi (Chinese animation).
Neon Genesis Evangelion (anime).
Paths of Glory (1957).
Persepolis (2007).
Princes et Princesses (2000).
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (anime).
The Sandbaggers.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (reboot).
Shoujo Kakumei Utena (anime).
Sleeping Beauty (Disney, 1959?).
Spy x Family (anime).
Star Trek: Discovery.
Star Trek: The Next Generation 5.25 “The Inner Light.”
Voltron: Legendary Defender.
Games (Gamebooks and Similar)
David Fickling and Perry Hinton. Illus. Peter Andrew Jones. Starflight Zero. (?: Puffin Books, ?).
Games (Videogames)
DEFCON (Introversion Software, 2006).
Fallen London (Failbetter Games).
Fights in Tight Spaces.
Hades (Supergiant).
Homeworld.
Mechwarrior: Living Legends.
Planescape: Torment.
Slay the Princess.
Starfighter: Eclipse.
Games (Tabletop)
BattleTech (Catalyst Labs).
The Bird Oracle (Shing Yin Khor).
Dog Eat Dog (TTRPG, Liam Liwanag Burke).
Dungeon Year Design Journal (game design, Pandion Games).
The Jester King’s Dance (solo journaling game, Pandion Games).
Legend of the Five Rings (CCG and d10 TTRPG, Alderaac Entertainment Group).
Power Kill (TTRPG add-on, John Tynes).
Sölitary Defilement: An Engine of Lonesome Death (TTRPG solo gaming add-on for Mörk Borg, Max Moon Games, by 1d10+5).
Space Hulk Death Angel (Warhammer 40,000 card/board game, Corey Konieczka).
Starfighter (Yskari Games, Stéphane Boudin).
Star Realms (deckbuilder).
Thousand Year Old Vampire (Tim Hutchings).
Thrice-Damned and Where Gods Won’t Tread (solo journaling games, Richard August).
Warhammer 40,000 (Games Workshop).
Yomi and Yomi 2 (“fighting” card games, David Sirlin).
Poetry
Mike Allen. “Metarebellion” (Strange Horizons, 4 November 2002).
Bryher. “Arrow Music” in Arrow Music.
Sarah Campbell. We Used to Be Generals (chapbook).
A. E. Housman. “I to my perils.”
Lord Macaulay. Horatius.
Matthew Mahaney. Word Problems (chapbook).
Wilfred Owen. “Dulce et Decorum Est.”
Algernon Charles Swinburne. “The Garden of Proserpine.”
Alfred, Lord Tennyson. “The Charge of the Light Brigade.
Online Resources
Aaron Blaise (animation, cinematography).
The Center for Cartoon Studies.
Augusta Scarlett Book Cover Design and Artwork.
Howard Wimshurst of Animator Guild.