1 comments about The New York Times Weekend Challenge: Formidable but Fun Crosswords.

1. These puzzles are absolutely hilarious! Yet again, I'm blown away by the exquisite surprises, twists and turns. I've been stumped on a few of them for a few days now, but I'm not giving up! Shortz is, hands down, a genius. Try your hand at the masterful art within these pages, and enjoy the furrowed brow and laughs!

No comments about Viking: Battle for Asgard Official Strategy Guide (Bradygames Official Strategy Guides) (Bradygames Official Strategy Guides).

5 comments about Hellgate London (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. Unfortunately, this guide could have been so much more. Instead it is mostly table after table of items without much useful information. It's a shame because this game has huge potential despite its bugs and this guide could have gone a long way towards helping with its potential.
   
   The book is sadly lacking in Strategy tips and even dips so low as to repeat the same tips in multiple places in the book. The maps are slightly helpful and are what makes me rate it two stars.
   
   Even the class sections dealing with the skill trees are simply regurgitating what you can read in the game itself. There is no deeper explanation or suggestions. It is sadly lacking in details.
   
   Normally, I love Prima's strategy guides but this one falls flat.



2. Much of what I learned about the game was from trial and error. The book does not address how to create mods, item crafting, or salvage. It doesn't inform you that some areas are closed off until a quest is obtained from a particular npc for a more distant area.



3. I'm in my 60's and enjoyed this game very much, it has replayability which makes it usable for a long time.



4. I bought this book to help understand some elements of the game a lot more, and its actually a pretty awesome book. The fold out poster looks pretty cool, which is a common banner Flagship Studios use in the tube stations. The other side with the map is awesome, with full descriptions of the complete world map.
   
   The biggest confusion without much detail is the skills, atrributes, etc.. This game describes each skill for each faction/class very detailed. And there are actual dev tips so you can maximum your experience in the game. I'd recommend to any player of the game.



5. I know that people buy these books for many reasons, but if you are looking for help with the quests, save your money. I have had a number of Prima books over the years, some good some better, almost all were helpful. So I didn't take the time to thumb through this before I bought it. Too bad for me. The section on the quests is a total waste of paper and certainly a waste of my money. Whoever wrote this book must have not played the game or the beta and worked strictly from developer's notes.

5 comments about Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. Any old time Command & Conquer fan and player. Would not play the game without a book. Come on. There a whole new lay outs and bonus quests to do. Would you go on the road without a road map? The guides are part of the game, they make the game better to play. This is a totaly different game from the pass ones with added bad guy. I never buy a game without a guide. Game packages don't included any good information. That why they stick in guides for added profit.



2. Nice game guide to help you out in a pinch or when your totally lost in game. It's good to get an inside idea of how to and where to go. Well worth the price to get the most out of the game.



3. I thought I was buying a "Game Guide" as the title suggests. I received some crappy C&C 3 "novel".
   
   Lame



4. I beat the game and Beat the last level of nod that had me stuck for 4 months and 30-50 retrys. I was that stuck Sure buying a book cuz of that one level seems a wast, but I WON!



5. I got stuck in the campaign mode, and i bought this book, it really helped me out. The book looks extremely nice with enough info to help you in any details in the game. Fast delivery and cheap price. I give it 5 stars.

4 comments about Fighting the Anti-Sicilians: Combating 2 c3, the Closed, Bb5 lines, the Morra Gambit and other tricky ideas (Everyman Chess).

1. In my overly-large collection of chess books, I have a number of titles about "Beating the Sicilian" and a number more about "Beating the Anti-Sicilians." These books tend to promise, in hyperbolic fashion, a near-certain strategy for whichever side they are support. Yet even a lowly class player such as I has trouble understanding how both sides can have a legitimate no-fail strategy for victory!
   
   That's why I was happy to acquire and read through Richard Palliser's new book. Though it is written from the standpoint of the Black player and attempts to provide a solid repertoire for that side, it is, gladly and surprisingly, very well balanced, and represents fairly the ideas and aspirations of both White and Black, presenting chess as a struggle of ideas in which the outcome is anything but certain.
   
   Black reactions to the 2.c3 system (once called the Alapin) are covered in a great deal of detail. The same is true for the 2.Nc3 "closed" Sicilian. There are plenty of variant moves considered along with games and illustrations. There is a bit less coverage of the Grand Prix Attack; both the 2.Nc3 3.f4 and 2.f4 variants are treated, with some excellent ideas in the latter for playing the Black side of the Tal Gambit (the author analyzes the less frequently played but very interesting Nbd7 reply to Bb5+; Bd7 is the usual reply). There is some coverage (not as much as I could have wished, but then there are other specialty books on Sicilian gambits available) of the Morra Gambit and the Wing Gambit, as well as a few pages devoted to the really offbeat stuff.
   
   This is clearly the best book of its type in terms of coverage, balance, readability, and utility. IM Palliser has done a really fine job, and the book is an easy one to recommend to Sicilian fans.



2. This isn't a review actually, but a correction to the Amazon listing of this book. The book doesn't cover Bb5 systems! Palliser has written that excluding them was a tough decision but was done for space considerations (if memory serves me correctly that is, check out chesspublishing.com's forum section to read exactly what he said). One can get a very good book by Palliser on the Bb5 systems here at Amazon. That said, this is another excellent Palliser book. [...]



3. IM Richard Palliser is an excellent author, arguably the best at Everyman Chess. His works are always thorough and his recommendations always solid.
   
   The author includes some explanatory material and gives justification for the lines that he recommends, but this book is more on the "database dump" side of the opening book spectrum. I must admit to being a little disappointed by this, having loved his Play 1.d4!, which I think is a repertoire masterpiece--if not for the lines themselves then for the mix of breadth, depth, and prose.
   
   It could be said, however, that the subject is the Sicilian Defense, and any serious book with this topic must be very concrete. While that is true, I would have liked more practical (middlegame!) advice in the vein of Play 1.d4 or especially in the vein of The Sharpest Sicilian. It is this practical middlegame advice that, to me, places the latter work on a very short list of the greatest opening works ever.
   
   Still, I think this is the best book on the Anti-Sicilians currently available. Recommended. Note well that this book basically deals with White second moves and, as Mr. Snow pointed out in his review, does not cover 3.Bb5(+) (the Moscow/Rossolimo Variations), for example, or Yudasin's favorite 3.Bc4. He does cover Zvjagintsev's 2.Na3!?, though with such a move there is much more scope to just "play chess" than in most other lines.



4. Richard Palliser has done a remarkable job with this book. He goes into great detail & analysis of how to attack & defend the anti sicilians.
   
   This is by far one of the best chess books I have ever bought. I had great difficulty in analysing the anti sicilians until I got my hands on this book! In particular the c3 Sicilian & the Morra Gambit!
   
   Well done Richard Palliser for a detailed & Analytical Chess Book! I t is rather obvious that you put lots of hard work into this book.

5 comments about The Winner's Guide to Casino Gambling: Fourth Edition.

1. I purchased this book while attending a wedding in Las Vegas. I saw it in the hotel gift shop and did the touristy thing-- I bought a book about gambling in Las Vegas. I'm glad I did.

   Silberstang has written an easy to follow primer on the most common gambling games that you will find in a casino. His book covers the classic table games-blackjack, craps, roulette (both American and European versions), baccarat, and keno. He also explores recent casino additions-Caribbean Poker, Let It Ride, and video poker. Slot machines, casino operation, and credit are even discussed.

   Unlike some of the drivel I have read about gambling, Silberstang dispels some of the myths associated with gambling "systems." He clearly explains the games with examples, and gives the odds and demonstrates which bets favor the house (and by how much).

   This was an interesting and enlightening read.




2. As a casino dealer in Atlantic City I see people play stupid all the time. For the most part it is not because they are not intelligent, but they do not know how to play the games so the house has the lowest advantage over them. Siblerstang does an excellent job explaining how to play with the lowest house edge, but at the same time the book is a little outdated. It was only written in 1997, but in the craps section he talks about Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas as the only place to offer 10X odds in craps. Last time I checked 100X odds is not too hard to find in Vegas, and 5X odds is not to hard to find in Atlantic City. Even with that said the book is more than worth the money. The next time you gamble and stick with what the author says to do and you find yourself ahead more often than behind you will be happy you bought the book. (And remember that gambling is a negative expectation game: You will lose in the long run! Do not gamble with money that you cannot afford to lose!)



3. I live in New Mexico where you can't find a table with less than 5x odds on craps at the Indian Casinos. After years of marginal returns, my play is now much cleaner and profitable using Silberstang's techniques (play the line & Come, w/max odds). The dealers love when we arrive at the table. I play on the line for the dealers with 5x odds, along with my bets. (The energy is unmatched when there are at least 4 others at the table hoping you hit your point!). I've run into craps dealers and they confirm off the record that the propositional bets are pure profit "CHUMP" bets for the house.
   My husband is a PhD mathematician and agrees with the statitics and odds stated in this well written book.



4. The book is very well written, and easy to read. I enjoyed the Craps and the Baccarat section. It explains the house advantage of various games including Blackjack and some of the poker games to name a few. It includes most if not all Vegas games.



5. I read Edwin Silberstang's book a long time ago and I am pleased that his analyses and ideas are still around. This man knows the math of the games and he also recommends usually good ways to play. He understands the gamblers too and knows that most of them are looking for "action" which is really just "more losses."
   
   Any gambling library should have this book.
   
   Author of Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution!

No comments about NCAA Football 09: Prima Official Game Guide (Ncaa Football).

5 comments about D&D Icons: Legend of Drizzt Scenario Pack (Dungeons & Dragons Icons).

1. It's an excelent pack for D&D Miniatures Game. The miniatures of Drizzt and Wulfgar are excelent for the game. And Icingdeath, the Gargantuan White Dragon, is very well made. It's a good product for the players of the game, and for who collect dragon statues.



2. I've gotten all four currently release Icons from Amazon and this dragon is by far the best it terms of appearance. The Colossal Red may be much larger and more expensive but without a lot of work it can't match the White's appearance. If you ever use the Dragon for skirmishing you'll be better off with the Black or Blue but for display I favor the White.
   
   The boon and bane of this Icon Pack are the two smaller figures that come along to fight this dragon. This does push the price higher than either of the other Gargantuan icon packs which can be a turn off. The kicker is that you get a resculpt of Drizzt (along with his skirmish information if that is important) whos previous version from Archfiends routinely has sold at more alone than this entire pack. For a DDM skirmisher Wulfgar isn't bad although I found him in a booster. It may cost a little more but I think the dragon alone is almost worth it and with the price it costs to get Drizzt this is almost a steal.



3. this set is not only a decoration or a one-time war oppurtunity, but also takes you in a legendary fight and live it through your blood, to share the struggle of the heroes of north, drizzt and wulfgar, battling the greatest of the white wyrms in the history of the realms, the dreadful icingdeath, and the fear running through their heart...
   
   as i mentioned not only a great white wyrm, the dragon at your hands is actually "icingdeath", which is terrifying!! :)
   
   i am more into story so, sets like that offers me much more than just "icons", i mean the collossal red dragon is not much of a value to me, but here comes icingdeath, which means a villain of story, nightmarish stuff :)
   
   how much you can imagine about the great red wyrm as "klauth" or as "malystryx" it won't give me the same feeling as having the original one, so new sets like "gargantuan orcus" feels much better for me, cause they are more into role play / story..
   
   how much do i talk :) BUY IT!!! :D



4. I like all of this series, and i collect all of them, excelent desing. Amazing



5. I have no doubt. This is the best of all the gargantuan dragons, with incredible details, Icing Death is a perfect and impressive miniature. The ice on it's wings looks real, and the details of his mouth and scales are beatiful. The pack also includes a drizzit miniature, holding his scimitars, and a Wulfgar in a special white cloth, holding his magical bloody hammer.
   
   The pack is great because you get a cool dragon, a competitive miniature for skirmish (Wulfgar) and a classic one, in a new concept (Drizzit), the map is also cool, and improves your game, because you can use it im some snowy adventures, it's perfect to be used with the Frostburn supplement.
   
   This is a must have for those who love the Crystal Shard, who love Forgotten Realms, or just his most popular hero.

1 comments about Classic Battletech Introductory Box Set (Classic Battletech).

1. Like all starter sets, this introductory box set contains several pieces of essential information to get you started with commanding a lance of mechs. You'll find 5 books that will help you understand the rules, help in recording the battles you fight, and a brief synopsis on the BattleTech universe. Additionally, you'll find 24 unpainted miniatures to use with the included map sheets. The box set also has a poster to hang upon your wall and dice to play with.
   
   The game does get pretty involved with rules as you advance in skill. But with practice, rule application will become second nature. If you like playing this, you'll most likely get involved in the BattleTech universe and will want to buy source materials and advanced rule books.
   
   Although, BattleTech matches are some what difficult to find (depending were you live and with who), with this product you'll understand that Classic BattleTech is an acquired taste, and the taste of battle with mechs is SWEET.

5 comments about Middle Limit Holdem Poker.

1. If you're somebody who's used to the graphic presentations of cards and hands in many of the Two Plus Two books then you might be initially disappointed upon opening Middle Limit Holdem because this edition will never be confused with a Power Point presentation. However, if you're looking to learn limit or substantially improve your game, then this is definitely the manual for you. The authors created over 300 pages of densely packed information which was broken down into 40 logical subtopics. What they offer here is an old school approach to the game which is both low in reflexive aggression and low in variance, and, for me, anything which decreases variance is totally welcome. I'm not one of those reviewers who thinks that certain styles are obsolete as I find that differing viewpoints enrich my game. Personally, I'd place Middle Limit Holdem in between Ed Miller and Lee Jones in terms of the type of play it advocates. If you don't know limit, then I recommend learning it as increasing proficiency across the strains of poker can only thicken the bankroll in the long run.



2. Very good poker book for middle limit. Takes it to another level.



3. I have added this book to my current libary and think that the book is a fine addition.



4. The book is quite enjoyable to read and discusses how to play 400 typical hands that arise in everyday poker.
   The discussion is very logical and teaches you how to think properly on every betting round. It advises you on how to get the most value out of your good hands and to minimize losses when you are beat. When to value bet on the river, and when to check raise, etc, etc.
   I can't say that I picked up a tonne of tips from this book, but it did revise a lot of good principles that I already knew.
   To a weaker player than myself you could pick up a lot of good tips.
   The rules set in this book can't be applied to low limit games with weak players who play totally illogical, it is written for middle-higher limit games. Thus only 4 stars



5. Jones and Warren can take you from 1/2 to 4/8, and this book from there to 40. I've read dozens and dozens of others since, but this is still the most solid, readable, understandable and above all practical of the bunch.
   There are very few truly useful guides to the mid-limit games; this one stands highest in my estimation. The dissections of various hands and the decisions involved are far more complex and intelligent than most. You need to have played a lot of hold'em to really grasp some of the subtleties presented here, but when you have and do you will be ready to really mix it up with some of the world's better players.
   I also enjoy Ciaffone's writing, very direct and transparent and to the point.
   This is a book any good player would do well to re-read once a year. It makes you think about your moves and reevalauate your style, which is a must if you are to keep progressing.
   Thanks to Bob for writing one of the best books available for the limit player who is ready to tackle the tough competition. Then again, sometimes the bigger games have some mighty weak players, and if your bankroll can stand the variance you might find the advice in this book to be worth a few thousand times its purchase price.
   When it comes to value bets on poker books, this one is a winner.