5 comments about Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master.

1. the best endgame book I have seen, easy to understand and
   divided as to your skill, also easy to remember , Silman is great teacher.



2. This book is one of the best I've read until now. It is really a pleasure to read it for hours and hours.



3. I bought this book for a specific purpose: to learn more about drawing Rook vs Rook + pawn endings. I've been working through Convekta's Chess Endgame Training and have found that many exercises end in a position declared a draw but that would still leave me nervous as the weaker side. One strong player told me that every Russian schoolboy know those drawn positions. Oh, to be a Russian schoolboy.
   
   IM Silman's book does indeed address these positions in some detail. Initially, I was not able to find the information, having relied on a quick scan and a look in the index, which has no entry for 'draw'. I sent IM Silman's an email asking why such important information had been omitted. I was surprised to receive a warm and helpful email in reply that explained that, in the spriit of the book itself, infromation about R vs R + P endings was introduced in stages throughout the book. He also mentioned Emms book on rook endings which contains the same material but compacted into one place over 13 pages.
   
   I prefer IM Silman's treatment because ultimately the collected pieces form a more thorough whole.
   
   Overall, the book is a treasure. I don't know of another work that is so accessible, yet complete. Previously I had to make due with the interesting but error-ridden Endgame Course by Pandolfini. One thing I do like about Pandolfini's book is the catchy names he applies to endgame techniques and positions. IM Silman also uses that mneumonic technique but to a lesser extent.
   
   I had also previously relied on Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual. That is a superb reference book but not friendly to someone learning the ropes. For example, Dvoretsky has a page on corresponding squares. It became clear that I was not comprehending the nuances of what he was saying. I tried and tried. In the end I bought Müller and Lamprecht's Secrets of Pawn Endings which covered the same concept but over the course of a dozen pages. Then I got it. I think.
   
   IM Silman's book, on the other hand, is designed so that there are no unresolved mysteries at each stage. Its a nice concept and well done.
   
   The only thing that keeps me from giving the book a full five stars is the single-column format. The book is beautifully laid out and with generous diagrams but I remain convinced the a two column layout is superior.



4. Silman is a master at understanding the mentality of someone that doesn't already know what he's about to teach them. His ever pragmatic and often humorous approach is much appreciated in an endgame book, as most books on that phase of the game tend to be on the dry side.
   
   My only quibble is that he seems to back off of complexity in the later "courses" in favor of more abstract advice. My gut feeling is that at the higher levels it is even more important to know specific techniques and concepts, like knight and pawn vs knight, queen and pawn vs queen, basic techniques for queen vs rook, rook and pawn vs knight/bishop and pawn(s), and so on. Also, the section on the "five greatest endgame players of all time" seemed a little perfunctory somehow, perhaps because most of the games he selected there occur in so many other anthologies.
   
   Overall, though, a wonderful and much needed addition to chess literature.



5. Jeremy Silman is certainly one of the world's best chess writers. His "Reassess Your Chess," pretty much universally acknowledged as a great chess book, has helped countless people enjoy chess to a greater extent (myself included). His "Complete Book of Chess Strategy" covers the basics in a clear, concise way. His "Reassess Your Chess Workbook" is a valuable learning tool for any chess player. And the list goes on.
   
   But here, Silman chose a different topic from his other books. His "Endgame Course" concentrates entirely on the endgame, a mysterious, and quite beautiful realm of a chess game that too few players really know much about. Seeing that many consider the endgame to be boring and unimportant, Silman sought to create a book that not only taught the player many endgame secrets, but showed the reader the beauty and fascination of an endgame, that instilled a love of the endgame in the reader. He has succeeded admirably.
   
   The book is divided into chapters, one for each rating group. Thus, you can concentrate on which material would be appropriate for your rating level (or your estimated rating level.) For the least experienced beginners, Silman presents such simple topics as overkill mates, etc. As we move up the rating ladder, we find such topics as Opposition, Rook Endings, the Lucena and Philidor positions, and eventually, a fun chapter on endgame tactics. The book is ending by a fascinating chapter on the five greatest endgame players of all time. I don't know how he does it, but Silman managed to make each topic fun and interesting to learn, all by using wit and humor. Even the descriptions contained in the back of the book detailing recommended endgame books are fun-to-read. Who knew chess-reading could be so much fun?
   
   With fun, yet with great depth, Silman explored a part of chess that I previously would have nothing to do with. Now, I'm and endgame expert and I had a great time becoming one, thanks to this great book. Recommended for ANY chess player. We all need to know the secrets of the endgame, and there is no better way to accomplish this than by using this book.

5 comments about World of Warcraft Dungeon Companion.

1. If you're semi-new to the game and never ran the dungeons listed in this guide, then this will come in very handy. Most of us old-school WoW players know the info provided, but not all of it. I'm an Alliance player but when I created a Horde character this guide helped loads with instance quest info and such. And I still use it when trying to remember the pattern for the ST statues on my alts. ^_^;;
   
   Good Features:
   - Instance maps.
   - Very detailed walkthoughs and strategies for each instance.
   - General info about all instances such as level, location, types of mobs within, etc. so you're always prepared.
   - Details about every quest associated with the dungeon. This includes chain quests. (I want to express how awesome this part is... It tells you the quest givers, where to find them, the level requirement, description on what to do to complete the quest, and where to turn it in. Even lists rewards.)
   - Pictures of the instance. Hey, pictures are always good!
   
   Bad Points:
   - The loot table needs work. It's horribly organized and laid out.
   - The suggested "group make ups" and tips are off. Most of it is oppinionated and incorrect. (Other than the general "Need a tank, healer, CC, DPS" parts.... which are "duh")
   - You could get all this info on thottbot or other sites for free. =P (However I personally like to have a solid book full of info to read when I'm off the comp or whatever. But that's just me.)
   
   So yeah, go ahead and pick it up. Even if you're like me and don't really "need" it, or you use thottbot... it's still a nice guide for the price and you can take it with you wherever. If nothing else it's an interesting read.



2. A seemingly good idea in concept, an unbelievably bad idea in reality.
   These guides suffer from a few issues, that ultimately make them a bad purchase.
   
   (1.) Obviously a printed guide for an online game, won't be up-to-date, but these guides are hopelessly out of date. This fact alone makes these guides a complete and total waste of money. If you really want a guide, buy the .PDF version from Brady's website or ask Amazon to carry the .PDF version. The .PDF version is updated periodically throughout the year.
   
   (2.) Due to the nature of all the games being released at any given time, there are lots of guides to write. Understandably they must be pressed for time. But these guides seem to have be so rushed that there are typos, incorrect information and missing information. Mistakes like these can make the guide unusable at times.
   
   (3.) Any guide will likely be used by newer players. They will need to find information quickly and easily. Whoever setup these guides doe not understand information design or the essential needs of a new player. Even if you skip reason 1 and 2, when you actually use the guide, you will likely be frustrated many times.
   
   For they quickest way to find WoW info and answer your questions bookmark wowwiki.com, wowhead.com and thottbot.com



3. For many WoW players, one of their first group activities is the dungeon adventure. Therefore, this book isn't just good in showing you how to defeat the big boss and what great loot is there, it also gives you hints on how to interact with the other players. And let's face it, the screen loading hints only tell you so much! With this guide, there is a lot of info on what each class can do and how best to be part of a team, so that you don't anger the other players by accident or on purpose. After all, WoW is first and foremost a multiplayer game, and the dungeon adventure is the biggest element of the mutliplayer interactivity (other than PVP).
   
   This book can use an update, but even in this state, it's still very useful today. Highly recommended for a novice WoW player.



4. There is no doubt you have spent your money in the right place if you buy this book. Wanna run dungeons one time, with all the quests in your log, buy this book and its made simple.



5. This reference work may have been more helpful when it first came out, but now it lags behind the actual content that it is attempting to reveal. The work covers all of the instances from the original game (before any patches) and does so in alphabetical order as opposed to a more-helpful level-of-instance organization. On its own merits, it provides a sound basic understanding of the instances level 1-60 players may encounter. In addition, it also goes into the single and chain quests for each faction that are part of each dungeon--especially helpful if you want to go after Onyxia, for example, which involves the longest chain in the pre-BC game.
   
   The work does suffer from several problems, though. Blizzard has released numerous patches and updates since the book's publication, rendering much of the content obsolete. The typeface and layout of the book tend to be quite wearying on the eyes, so spending a lot of time reading it in one sitting is not advisable. Finally, Brady seems to have cut the budget for proofreading, as there are numerous spelling and typographical errors in the work. This last point may seem trivial, but if WoW had as many mistakes in it as this book has, gamers would have run away from it in frustration long ago.
   
   While this work is still helpful in several aspects, its age (in computer gaming terms, anyway) prevents it from being an end-all, be-all for the WoW gamer. The reader should use it for a general overview of what a dungeon is all about, but then should use the constantly-updated resources online to give the specifics as to how to run each dungeon and to keep up with all the modifications that Blizzard has made since this work's publication.

5 comments about The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build.

1. This book contains very clear instructions and diagrams for NXT-G program. The sample robots are creative and very well designed. You can feel the intelligence behind when you build. I especially like the binding of this book, so it can lay open while you build. So I will probablly purchase more book from this press. In fact I have pre-order one. One thing I doesn't like is one of the samples requires two NXT kits, which I don't have at the moment. I guess it's because this book is targeting more senior builders.



2. 'The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build' is an absolutely wonderful book with one MAJOR flaw in that the entire book is in black and white. Packed with 16 chapters written wonderfully with exciting examples and content, this would have been a easy 5 star recommendation but I simply cannot do that. Legos are bold, bright, and full of color, the decision to publish this in black and white was a terrible one. I understand this decision was made to no doubt save costs, but it shouldn't have been published (no matter how good the content is) in this form. Some books would benefit from color, some books require it and this is one of those cases. If you enjoy Legos and want to learn how to use Mindstorms NXT and all the fun, amazing things you can do with them this book will show you how, but I would wait for version 2.0 of this book with color. Not only is the black and white unfavorable, it's downright hard to follow.
   
   Great content, great layout, thumbs WAY down for no color
   
   **** RECOMMENDED



3. The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build
   
   I read this book and I really enjoyed it. This was the first Mindstorms book that I read and it was really easy to understand and got me off to a quick start. The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars was that the graphics and text are printed on an off white background and it made it a little harder to read and the graphics themselves are all black and white and some of them were a little hard to figure out the robot designs because of it. But dont let this keep you from getting this great robotics book. [...]



4. Lots Of good information on NXT G-code,Bluetooth programming for the NXT, and an informative guide to designing your NXT bots.I thought this book was well worth the money. The "LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-G Programming Guide (Technology in Action) is a very good intro to this book.



5. The problem with this book is it has black and white photos of black and white pieces. They don't give a close up of what your adding to your structure. Writing is too small to look at without a magnify glass.
   Programming was screwed up in some places.

No comments about Spore: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides).

3 comments about Bridge At A Glance.

1. This is a very concise yet thorough review of bidding presented in a pocket guide. It is a must have for the novice to intermediate player who is still unsure of the bidding process. It also provides a quick summary for declarer play as well as defense play in a trump or no trump hand. I love it!!!! Highly recommended!



2. GREAT CONCEPT BUT A FEW OF THE PEOPLE IN MY CLUB FOUND IT CONFUSING TO USE AND THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE ONES IN AN EARLIER BOOK BY AUDREY GRANT



3. I have been sumarizing bidding options for a quick review before a game in my computer. There is no longer a need this is a great reference. It also fits exactly in your convention card holder so that between rounds you can easily check up on something that you have a question about. Wonderful for the beginner or intermediate player. Advanced player would have to much ego to pull it out in public but get it for private review in the potty stall or at home because it is a great review. great to have for at home rubber games with family or friends that are learning. Good gift for that partner that can't get on the same page with you. HaHa. Play more bridge and bid it up!!!

3 comments about The Everything Kids' Travel Activity Book: Games to Play, Songs to Sing, Fun Stuff to Do - Guaranteed to Keep You Busy the Whole Ride! (Everything Kids Series).

1. This was a great book to send home with the grandkids as they made their way back to CA from a long car trip to Iowa. I am sure it kept them busy for a good long time.



2. well, my son loves it he now behaves just sitting on his car seat he really enjoy the book.



3. I have a 3 & 5 year old and found really very little that would be of assistance to help them stay busy on a car trip. This is more of a hands on book for older kids with puzzles, mazes, word games, etc. Reading is definitely a must. I would say it'd be a help with any child over 7 who has a basic reading knowledge, and can follow written instructions.

2 comments about Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. This is a Prima Guide, so one expects it to have some errors and oversights. In the past, one could always turn to Nintendo Power for higher quality guides, but now that the NP guides are no longer made, we're stuck with Prima. This guide is a good example of why I never have liked to buy Prima guides.
   
   Let's start with the good news. The Dungeon pages in this guide do list info about things such as item and level restrictions. The color coding for different sections of the Pokedex is nice. Also, this guide does have a full Pokedex complete with numerical lv. 1 stats, however, it does NOT list every place that the Pokemon can be found (it only tells one place), and the footprints (useful for the Sentry minigame) are not listed either.
   
   Now for the bad news. The data sections (from the quiz at the start of the game to the item tables) are not alphabetized, a fact that makes the tables needlessly hard to use. The item tables do not list the selling price of items. There is no list of Wonder Mails so you can get the Pokemon exclusive to each version. Don't expect to find suggested partners for each starter, either. The Dungeon overview pages will not tell you what items to expect to find in each dungeon, so you either have to guess or keep your own notes. The basic strategy info on Pokemon moves from each Dungeon is pretty useless. While the info is true, I think most Pokemon fans already know this. I would have much rather seen level ranges of Pokemon within the dungeon and a list of items found therein (as well as rarities), instead of useless info about the moves of Pokemon in the dungeon. Also, I dislike that the Recommended Path for the game was placed in front of the the Game Mechanics section. It would make more sence to place it between the Game Mechanics and Walkthrough sections, making it harder to ruin the story for yourself when you flip to the Game Mechanics section for a particular piece of info.
   
   In short, my advice is to skip this guide and print off a decent walkthrough from a free site. This game has no significant maps, and the only grapical data you might actually need (the footprints) is absent from this guide anyway. With the non-alphabetized data sections, those who own this guide will likely find themselves printing off needed info from an online walkthrough anyway.
   
   A side note for those who don't know what a game guide is (and think that perhaps it is a book about Pokemon for kids to read): A game guide (a.k.a. Strategy Guide) is a publication that is supposed to tell everything about a game. It is useful for choosing strategies and completing every aspect of a game, but it is not a story book. It is more akin to an Atlas or Encyclopedia and is typically used as reference by serious players. While it does require some reading skills, it is only useful to those who have a copy of the games (which games also require reading skills).
   
   Signed, Pamela



2. The two books are excellent, and provide a link with two grandsons who live in Switzerland ...they have a copy and I have a copy so we read together over the phone

5 comments about Ace on the River: An Advanced Poker Guide.

1. I read a lot of good reviews from other sites but, in my opinion, this book is overrated. I wouldn't recommended it. In a nutshell it gives you an insight to the life of a professional poker player which is not very useful info for many people.



2. Reading this book was the worst time spent ever. I learned nothing I didn't already know. If you really want to learn some new things and know thats what you are doing and not wasting time purchase Dan Harrington's boooks.



3. it actually write all bout the philosophy about poker and it teaches u to be a better poker players before or after u win the game !!!!



4. This book is far and away some of the best stuff that has been written on poker. I lost my copy and this book is so chalked full of info I had to buy it again! Barry Greenstein is the consummate professional and an excellent writer on top of that.
   
   For those that like hand charts and theorem like explanations of how to play poker, you will not like this book.
   
   For those that want the wisdom of one of pokers finest players, you will not be disappointed. Barry understands that a thorough understanding of mathematics and of poker is more the ludic elements that make up the physical game.



5. So I won't rehash what has been said in the other reviews. But the following hasn't really been emphasized:
   
   This book is BEAUTIFUL. It's a large oversized "quarto" trade paperback, with extraordinarily thick and glossy pages, bound together beautifully. It's been a very very long time since a book at this price point was made this nicely. I would suggest buying it, just to have such a nice looking book.

5 comments about Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Extraordinary Book of Facts: And Bizarre Information (Bathroom Readers).

1. This is a great bathroom book! I have learned so much from my trips to the bathroom now. Everyone that comes over and has to use my bathroom now has to know where to find this book because they have to have it. It's great for all that "everything you ever needed to know but never thought about" kind of stuff.



2. I'm so glad I bought this book. It's the perfect book to read while on the can.



3. I bought my husband & my sister in law this book. It made it's way to every family member. So many intresting facts. A great read!!! (even if you're not in the bathroom! LOL) Just put 2 more of Uncle John's book in cart for this Christmas!



4. This is a really great book, and a great read, starts off great and its hard to put down until close to the end where the information isn't quite as interesting.



5. I loved this book so much, it was a nice different angle on the Uncle John series. Anyone who loves Uncle John will love this book.

2 comments about Tricks of the Mind.

1. If you've seen Derren Brown in action and it fascinates you as it does me, then this is the book for you, it gives you the principles and techniques to put into practice yourself, and be able to do some of the things he does on the show, from magic tricks to insane memory recollection, and much more, then Derren ends the book with his views on various topics out there, such as the paranormal, religion and so on, this really is a great book, its great to see such a performer share the tricks of his trade for once, thanks Derren!!.



2. I originally ordered this from amazon.co.uk and was willing the pay the international shipping fee, so obviously my excitement for this book was quite large. This is a pretty chunky book, and yes, very very dense with useful information.
   
   What you will find: you will quickly discover that Derren's wit and intellect are quite large, he covers a large range of topics from modern religion, hypnosis, memory tricks, a long discussion on scientific process, and he's damned clever in all aspects.
   
   What you won't find: a step by step, principle by principle explanation of how he does what he does on the show. In short, if you are thinking of buying the book so you too can hypnotize people into seeing their own death in a car crash, you will be sorely dissappointed. Also an interesting point: he makes a clear distinction between what he does and what NLP (Neuro Linquistic Programming) is, and his view of NLP as a whole will surprise you.
   
   I give it 4 stars because although a fantastic book, Derren's writing possess what seems to be a uniquely English problem: they spend 4 sentences explaining themselves with elaborate sentences where one to-the-point sentence would have done well. Perhaps it was just me and my American get-to-the-point way of looking at things, but a chapter or two were nearly enough to make you skip ahead to the more interesting topics.
   
   Overall, a fun read, and do try the memory tricks, you will be blown away with what you can already achieve.