I appreciate the insight Races and Classes is providing into the main inhabitants of the upcoming 4e world. Some backstory is provided, as is a glimpse of how the designers are trying to weave together the elements of the edition as they apply to the main races. If you are interested in this sort of sketch of the philosophy undergirding the design, and *only* if you are interested in it, I think this is a pretty fun booklet. I'm definitely enjoying it, and little elements like using Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell as a touchstone to illustrate the development of the Eladrin really help to pull things together conceptually.

Only for those who are really, really interested in 4e. Anyone else who buys this will probably join the several reviewers who feel the title is a ripoff. But if you are truly interested in the backstory of the 4e world, not an unenjoyable place to start.

Its hard to say anything that hasn't already been said. I've looked through it and can find nothing I like. Early on I had hopes for the 4th Edition from what I'd heard, but the more I hear, the less interest I have. If this is a clear indication of the new edition, then I will not be getting it. If this is not a clear indication, then WotC should be slapped for printing it.

No rules, but from the way this book was advertised most shouldn't be expecting that anyways. What we do get is a quality writing and art. The writing hints at what is to come with 4e races and classes and gives the rationale for the designers choices. The art is great, high quality stuff. If you can get it cheap, do so.

Didn't purchase this myself, one of the guys in our gaming group did and it got passed around the table. Sure, the art's nice (as some others have mentioned) but with nothing rules-wise this doesn't seem to me to be a preview book at all, just a 4E art book. I agree with other reviewers that this should've been released as a free download but for those that like actual books I think this should've been priced at $10 or less.

Ok so i too bought this, preorder, from amazon for $10 total. But after seeing it, and reading parts of it, this POS should have just been a section on the Wizards website.

The fact that they can sell these two books is pissing me off.

It would be nice for WotC to give some sort of compensation to those of us that were dupt into wasting our money on their crap.

Races & Classes provides an overview of the design philosophy WotC has put into the development of 4e, as the name of the book suggests; primarily in the department of races and classes.

This book is NOT a preview of the 4th Edition rules. You will not see any hard "crunch" in it. This is more of a "the making of" type product and is billed as such.

The art in the book is simply amazing. I've disliked much of WotC's art for years. If this book is a preview of the look they will maintain for 4e, I'm impressed.

It gives an in-depth overview of 7 races: Humans, Dragonborn, Dwarves, Eladrins, Elves, Halflings, and Tieflings. These overviews give some interesting "fluff" about each race, setting the scene for them. After the fluff, there are generally design notes on each race telling the reader what it is they are trying to accomplish and the reasoning behind it.

The same treatment of the classes is given; fluff followed by the "why" of what 4e is trying to accomplish.

My primary complaint with the book is it's price. $19.95 seems a bit steep for this type of product. Although I suppose the fact that I am willing to buy the next preview book as well means I don't consider the price to be over the top. I'd be more pleased with a $10-$15 range though.

If you are interested in design philosophy and seeing what goes into the making of the game, this is a good buy. If you are hoping for concrete peeks into the rules system, wait for the SRD or core books.

As others have pointed out, this should have been free web content.

Combine that with the condescending writing and continuous need to belittle past editions of the game, and this is a "must skip" book.

I gave it 2 stars because the artwork is good. That is the only good thing about the book.
I find the language used in the book to be condescending and belittling to older gamers who grew up on D&D and I think that WotC is just simply out to grab some money with this offering(which unfortunately they got from me also). I bought it mostly because I am sick of hearing second-hand accounts about it on the messageboards. I like a few of the IDEAS for some mechanical changes but there is not a single real rule in the book.
Disappointing to say the least.

First off, I bought the book for 10.00 including shipping and handling from Amazon. I believe this to be a much better price for the book.

That being said I enjoyed this book very much. While many of the reviews seem to be a Wotc-bashing fest this book was actually a fascinating glimpse into why they felt a need for a change in 4th edition, and how some of those idea's that they were bringing about affected 3rd edition.

This is an excellent "behind the scenes" with some fantastic art. It is nice to see how an artist can drive the feel of a new edition like Todd Lockwood did for 3rd, before the edition hits the shelves.

If "DVD extras" are your thing you won't be unhappy to pick this book up. Also because of the art it makes a great coffee table book.

I find the idea of selling previews $20 US totally preposterous.

The layout and art may be nice, but nothing can justify that kind of marketing approach. This is just a cheap shot destined to sell half-baked products between 3.5 and 4E.

Fellow gamers, please don't buy into that strategy.