3 comments about Dragons of Eberron (Dungeon & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying, Eberron Setting).

1. Dragons of Eberron is a nice addition to the campaign setting. In my mind, it should appeal primarily to Eberron DMs (especially those running a higher level game) and anyone eager to devour the settings lore. It contains little in the way of new monsters, feats, items, or prestige classes. While some DMs might take advantage of the numerous maps or statted out dragons, I think the book as a whole would not be very useful for the generic D&D and player.
   
   As the title implies, if you are interested in the dragons of Eberron then the book is for you. It is well written and contains lots of useful insight and information. It covers the outlook and culture of dragons in general, the mysterious draconic continent of Argonessen, and details many dragons found in other parts of the world.
   
   Of course, the pending release of fourth edition D&D may make some gamers understandably hesitant to buy 3.5 edition products. However, if you are planning to run Eberron in 4E I think this book could still be a valuable source of information. Of course, the stat blocks of specific dragons will probably be (more or less) obsolete but much of the book contains detailed lore and descriptions that will be useful reguardless of the rules set.
   
   Overall I give this book a rating of 4 stars. It is well worth getting if you are interested in the subject matter and want to use dragons in your Eberron game; however it is only of limited utility to generic D&D players.



2. If you answered "Yes!" to those questions, then this is for you.
   
   Now, if you're looking for a bunch of high-powered dragon magics tailored to Eberron, then this isn't your book. This book is more reading than number-crunching. This book is great for those wanting to explore the various aspects of Eberron mythology, and this is the definitive source for dragon mythology in Eberron.
   
   If you're worried about buying 3.5 books only to have 4th edition make them obsolete next year, no worries! This book was made with 4th edition in mind, so its rules are made to be easily translated for both editions (it includes the DnDInsider logo which represents this).



3. This book does exactly what it's supposed to; gives interesting information about the dragons that inhabit Eberron, not just the one living in the secluded continent of Argonesson. Inside are a number of NPCs that make good patrons, allies, villains, and epic-level NPCs for each continent. The book is light on the crunch side, so players looking for new character options might want to stick to Dragon Magic (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)or Races of the Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement). For DMs, it's a perfect resource for those wanting to add a little more Dragon to go with their Dungeon.

5 comments about Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth Official Strategy Guide.

1. This guide does a decent job of something that most guides no longer do. That is, the information is organized and seperated conviently. The maps are also very helpful. Overall I like the guide.



2. the game is very motivating to play it several times. Graphics excellent.Game system the best I ever played. Give us more of that stuff, Sony!!!!!!!!



3. This is a good strategy guide for the game. It provides multiple strategies on how to finish certain parts of the game. Its not the best strategy guide ive ever had mainly because it is slightly confusing to find what you want. However, its far from bad. You will be able to finish the game with this guide without a problem.



4. If you're playing this game and have internet access, you know where you can get game help for free. So if you're considering this guide, it's for one of two reasons: either you're a obsessive collector (like me) or you think it might give you aid you can't get online.
   
   If it's collector's interest, there isn't anything really special, but plenty of character art fills the book and it's well bound to survive minor abuse. Spoilers are largely avoided.
   
   If you're looking for game help, you'll notice some awkwardness to the organization: it can be a little confusing at first to look up items to figure out what they do, you'll want to dog-ear the page listing end-of-game-chapter rewards (which was placed partway into the walkthrough for game chapter one), and you've got to flip around to find out the monster weaknesses for most dungeons. On the other hand, the maps are a BIG help, there are a lot of useful charts, and having everything bound together is nice. I don't know if I'd pay MSRP, but you won't feel ripped off.
   
   You definitely want to play for the "A" ending at least once for this game, but it's almost impossible to get it without some guidance, since you have to do some non-intuitive things at particular times. If you haven't tried this yet, fire up a new game on "Hard" difficulty (to experience all the extra dungeons and characters and artifacts) and let this be your guide.



5. 
   This is a great guide for a great game for ps1 or psp

5 comments about Theory of Blackjack, Sixth Edition.

1. I ran across this book many years ago in a used bookstore (mine was the 2nd edition). I must say this book changed my opinion of books about gambling books. Up to that point, all the gambling books I've come across were laughable. But this book was startlingly different. It thoroughly explains the mathematics behind basic strategy and card counting techniques in a way that really made sense.

   This may sound too advanced for many folks, but frankly the math is fairly easy to understand (it mostly uses basic statistics that you probably learned and forgot in high school).

   If you are serious about card counting, the information in this book will help you evaluate BJ counting systems (or even systems you invent). It will also help you subtly modify your play for changes in rules at different casinos.

   Do you need to be a computer programmer to use this book? No, but it wouldn't hurt. Is this book useful for writing BJ simulators? Yes, but it's also great for really understanding what it takes to be a really good card counter.

   Personally, this book convinced me that I don't have the patience (or time) to become a good card counter. But at least now I know why.




2. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR THE CASINO PROFESSIONAL.



3. Although this is a great book you really need to know what it is and what it IS NOT!
   It is not an introduction to blackjack. It's assumed you already know how to play the game.
   It is not an introduction to card counting. The author assumes you already know a card counting system, or at least have a basic understanding of what one entails.
   It is PROBABLY not going to make you a better player. It's not really a "how to" guide for the game as much as it's a guide to show you how to effectively ANALYZE the game.
   
   As the title suggests this book is a fairly comprehensive review of the theory of blackjack. While a traditional counting book will tell you the HOW of card counting, this book will show you WHY it works, how card counting systems are derived, how to compare the power of different card counting systems (the so-called "efficiences") and contrast them to an (linearly) ideal system. You will also learn how to calculate exact probabilities (well, really how to write a program to do this) that could be used to determine the values (in terms of expected return) of different hands or to design a tool that will give you the optimal play in any situation that may arrise in blackjack. This tool isn't to be confused with "basic strategy", which only gives you the optimal play off the top of a freshly shuffled shoe.
   
   This book is ideal for someone who is comfortable with playing blackjack in a casino environment, has a basic understanding of the difficulties faced by card counters, and is comfortable with mathematical formulas and their derivations (although a lot of concepts can be understood without a strong background in math, you'll get a lot more out of the book if you can follow its derivations). After reading it you should be in a position where you COULD develop your own card counting system, calculate expected values (essentially probabilities) for given hands and given plays, and have the satisfaction of knowing that you have a better understanding of the inner workings of blackjack than 99% of the people who play the game!



4. The theories in this book are rock solid, but unless you have a degree in mathematics, it will be a very tough read. There are lots of complex theories and equations that the everyday Joe might have a problem following.
   Also, this book mostly covers 1 deck blackjack which is not played in any casino in the world these days. Most casinos use 6-8 decks, but the theoretical aspect of the book holds true regardless on how many decks are used.



5. Who knew a mathematician could be so funny? In this well written, enormously entertaining and enlightening book, the late Peter Griffin tackles the questions of why blackjack can be beaten and what kind of edges players can get using a count system. There are some interesting revelations in the book, too. I would recommend that players with some experience of the game are the best audience for the book, and the truly best audience are those players who have mastered a card counting system and have enjoyed/suffered the slings and arrows of being an advantage player. This book clearly explains why blackjack is a roller coaster.
   
   I think this is one of the must-read blackjack books of all time.
   
   Frank Scoblete: Author of Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution!

4 comments about Fantasy Football For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies)).

1. and neither are you. Don't waste your first season playing fantasy football by not being prepared. FFFD was designed to help new players avoid the pifalls that all of us hardened vets made back in the day...
   
   FFFD explains how the game works, how to get started and even where to play online! There are also plenty of detailed, proven methods for drafting a great fantasy team and managing your team during the football season.
   
   Is this a shameless plug? Of course it is, but I think the book is unique and I wish I had read it before I started playing...



2. I have always been curious about just what is fantasy football, and have passed up a few opportunities to join in because I lacked the confidence to join a league. Martin Signore spells out all of the ins the outs the dos and the don'ts in a very easy and understandable way. I can't wait for the season to start and hone in my newfound skills!



3. The author REALLY knows his stuff as oppossed to some of the other writers of "for dummies" books! He truly has a love for the subject and it shows!
   
   Highly recommended!
   
   
   :)



4. If you are thinking about playing fantasy football or even if you played a little last year and want to improve those basic skills, get this book! It is a great introduction to fantasy football. It covers everything to get you started including where to play online and look online for information on players. Many of the tips are exactly what you need to draft, manage and improve your team for a winning season.
   
   After reading Fantasy Football for Dummies, it is obvious that Martin Signore has played the game for many years and his love of the hobby shines through. Once again, the winning "dummies" format makes it easy. I am amazed at how much information he provides. Martin even discusses Auction leagues which many of todays FF books ignore. He hits all the right techniques and even includes some advanced draft strategies.
   
   I usually find the "part of tens" pages in a dummies book tedious, but Martin has provided a great Top 10 list of mistakes to avoid and perhaps even more importantly ten fixes to make to your team after draft day. The draft is not the end but instead should be the starting point for a championship team. You should constantly try to improve your team through trades and/or the waiver wire. A great manager can always look back and point out a significant improvement during the season.
   
   This is definitely the book of choice for anyone who wants an introduction to the greatest hobby of all time, Fantasy Football.
   
   Sam Hendricks, author of "Fantasy Football Guidebook: Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football" and "Fantasy Football Almanac"

5 comments about One Thousand and One Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations.

1. What I like about this book, is that it doesn't have anything like stars according to how "difficult" it is to solve each problem. What really matters is how beautiful it is, how it makes one surprised. If you agree with me, get this.



2. This book has the worst quality binding. Every page you turn will drop out. And the puzzles are categorized, making it too easy and pointless. When you're in a game, someone doesn't say to you, find the pin or find the x-ray attack. No, the themes must be jumbled for it to be of any use.



3. You've got to accept this book for what it is -- a very large set of chess puzzles to solve. No, it's not a comprehensive manual of the game. No, it doesn't teach openings. No, it's got nothing on strategic conceptions of middle-game play. There could be a whole long list of what it is not.
   
   But take it for what it is. One, it's fun to try to solve these puzzles. If you like that kind of thing, you can throw this inexpensive book in a briefcase, purse, or pocket. (Or keep it in the john.) The puzzles are nice diversion. Two, I believe it can really help play to go over and over the puzzles. Doing that will, I think, imprint the repeating patterns that allow these kinds of combinations. It will become easier feel when a position offers combinational opportunities - for you or your opponent - and smoke the combinations out.
   
   A word about the descriptive notation. The publishers have kept this book in print by some photoprocess from the original of it, which is now a half century old. A half century ago, descriptive notation was the standard in the English-speaking world. It's now all but died out. The publisher could find a wider audience by having someone translate the notations to algebraic. I assume they've thought of it but decided it's not a profitable move. I don't know; maybe they're right. Hate them for that decision if you will, but anyone still can enjoy and profit from this book as is. Descriptive notation is very easy to master, even if you think it stinks, and the the book includes a clear explanation of how it works.



4. Very good book will be hard and barely any text but this is a great classic book it will give u many many many hours of chess . very hard not a beginners books! so if ur starting chess dont get this try something easier but if u are familar with chess and looking for a good problems books to get ur mind sharp this is it !!!



5. This book is great for three reasons:
   
   1. It's nothing but problems and solutions, not longwinded explanations with every possible permutation calculated out (major ones are). So it's not an instruction book on tactics in itself, but it is a great expansion compared to the 5-10 problems a more in-depth book like Seirawan's series.
   
   2. It's categorized by theme but not by difficulty--so you can't predict the difficulty level of your problem, but you do know what technique you're looking to exploit.
   
   3. It's a book--there's less eyestrain than working with a computer, no annoying computer voice reading notation aloud, no six hundred different testing modes all of which keep your score & make you feel inadequate for figuring the problem wrong. Just you and your brain--old fashioned learning without all the bells & whistles to get in the way.

No comments about Sonic the Hedgehog (PS3, 360) (Prima Official Game Guide).

2 comments about The Ultimate Maze Book.

1. After the "maze craze" began in the 1970s (at least, when printed mazes became available in books and magazines in forms that were challenging enough for adult solvers), the standard maze forms were those that could be seen in the works of Vladimir Koziakin, in which a line is drawn between "walls" from one point to another. These standard forms were quickly transcended by the groundbreaking works (in both a figurative and a literal sense, since he physically dug large mazes in the ground as well as drawing and painting them) of Greg Bright. Greg Bright's published works made widely available such innovations as "mutually accessible centers" (the spirals from which numerous paths intersect at their centers), geometric matrices, the "weave" in which illustrated paths are seen to cross over and under each other, mazes that contained no "dead-ends" (the difficulty arising from paths that keep looping back to ones already visited, rather than simply coming to a stop), and mazes that passed through pages and over the edges of pages (The Hole Maze Book). Also in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the works of Larry Evans and Bernard Myers brought lavishly illustrated 3-D perspective mazes into popular books (Supermazes No. 1, Three-Dimensional Mazes) that expanded the standard maze into the forms of elaborate architectural structures, cities, grids, etc. in which rooms, bridges, etc. formed the pathways and in which these could cross over and under each other. Since that time, maze innovations have primarily occurred in the realm of video games. (At least one exception, by Christopher Manson, did not take the form of a standard illustrated maze, and thus stands in near-isolation.) Thus, it has been about 20 years since a published work has significantly expanded the form and complexity of the printed maze puzzle. This book seems therefore to be a landmark in the genre. While incorporating past elements of "weave" and 3-D architectural designs, Wadzinski adds (or at least formalizes) new rules regarding directional pathways and overpasses, multi-objective mazes, three-dimensional "cube" mazes, and (as found in numerous video game puzzlers) "key" mazes in which items are available to pick up and use to go through doors and find new pathways. For anyone who thinks they have seen it all before, this book needs to be looked at and tried out!!! The maze puzzle is alive and well!



2. This was a gift for my fiance'. He loves mazes and I was worried it would be too childlike. Not so. This book really spans all ages and skill levels.

5 comments about Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck.

1. This is the best Tarot deck I have found and it was also the first one I ever owned. My parents brought me up reading Thoth and I thought that was the only deck to use until I found this little gem.
   
   The Hanson-Roberts deck doesn't have all the frills and extra symbols of most decks, and some would say that is a weakness. To me, it's actually the deck's strength. It doesn't bog it down with details that confuse the novice reader and the expert will probably own another deck that has the symbols anyway.
   
   This deck has wonderful energy to it. It's like a caring grandmother that wants to steer you on the proper path. She may ignore the bad, or understate it, but she always knows what's best.



2. I bought this deck based on the recommendations at amazon and I absolutely love it! It has given me very clear, powerful readings. The artwork is so vivid that it leaves an imprint on your imagination thereby making it easy to memorize the cards with very little effort. As other readers have said, the eyes of the characters almost come to life so their personalities are easier to read and remember. If you love the art, then I would go for it and buy it. I also like the Hanson-Roberts Tarot Companion which gives detailed descriptions of each card.



3. this was my first tarot deck, i think it is beautiful. the best thing about this deck for me is that its a bit smaller than regular tarot decks i ve seen. i have small hands and so the larger ones are akward for me. these ones seem to be about the same size as regular cards, but the pictures are still beautifully detailed. it comes with a little book that tells you the interpretatins and layouts. this will be the second time i bought them.



4. I originally bought this deck back in 1991. I was just discovering the Tarot, and I was attracted to the artwork. I immediately fell in love with it. The images are beautifully crafted, the colors are soothing, and it follows the Rider-Waite tradition which makes it easy to study (since most books out there on the subject of the Tarot follow the Rider-Waite tradition.) I know there are "flashier" decks out there, and I have purchased some of those; but I've never felt the same connection to those decks as I do to this one, and sadly they just lay dormant in my closet. Instead, this is my baby. When I decided to start doing psychic parties, the first thing I did was buy a new copy of this deck specifically for parties. I keep my original deck to myself. I recommend it whole-heartedly.



5. I own this deck for many years already; is very pretty and the images on it will speak to you easily even if you are a beginner. The more you study it the more this cards will make sense to you and the more you will see on it. I found it beautiful, easy to read and the images are just charming. I own several decks and this is the one I use every day. One of my daughters is already learning to read tarot and this too is her favorite because of the easy images to understand. Also the smaller size comes in very handy.

2 comments about The Very Best of Jumble Brainbusters: More Than 500 Brain Bending Puzzles.

1. My mother is homebound and I wanted to get her something that would keep her mind active. She always loved the Jumbles in the newspaper but I couldn't find a bok of them in any local stores. I had a choice of several onAmazon.



2. Book is full of fun but much larger than expected about the size of a phone book and therefore difficult to carry around.

No comments about 101 More Drama Games for Children: New Fun and Learning with Acting and Make-Believe (SmartFun Activity Books).