Best book on drawing I have encountered. It doesn't go into very details into drawing, but it does give something much more powerful. The insight into what makes drawings great and how to make them come alive. It gives and explains the essentials, but it does require you to think deeply about what you are drawing.
"Knowing the basics provides the tools for expression."
It's really a good book on figure drawing concerning the analysis of the model rather than just copying it. It is really informative, and I've learned a lot. Actually, I feel confident after knowing that I don't have to just copy the contour and the shape of a certain muscle or whatever, and it's better to understand what I'm looking for in order to find it and translate it with more confidence. I didn't like the lack of anatomy information, it was quite general without any specificity. After all, this wasn't meant to be an anatomy book and that I understand. Anyway, it is a good book to start with, especially for beginners.
Glenn Vilppu is an academic drawing master of the old school variety. There is no quick fix however, the book will set you on the right path but of course lots of effort needs to be applied
If you can't draw gestures your work ends up looking just as lifeless as bad animatronic pirates. Vilppu's manual has everything you need to know about gesture drawing. After reading it you just have to draw hundreds and hundreds of drawings.