What is the best way to model a character?

I have just reached the point in my project where I need to model the character the player will play as. I would like peoples input on what the best way is to start modeling this character. For example, is it better to model it all in one piece, or in sections (head, body, legs, arms seperately) Also, what preperations do I need to make in order to allow the player to carry items/weapons? Lastly, for a refrence picture, what angles are generally needed to make modeling easiest (left, top, back, front, ect...)

Thank you in advance,
Regards,
DeKO_Mania

There are several good tutorials on the web like: http://www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials_3/low_poly_character/low_poly_01.asp
There are also a lot of books. For blender i highly recommend this one: http://www.amazon.de/Introducing-Character-Animation-Blender-DVD-ROM/dp/0470102608
I´ve read about a few others, but i don´t know them personally, but if interested i could post the links here.
Greetings, Thracian