5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess, Third Edition.

1. Primers on chess are notoriously poor, since many mediocre players (e.g., Pandolfini) consider themselves qualified to write them, and some cynics (e.g., Schiller) churn out primer after primer on the assumption their victims lack the skill to realize how bad they are. There are, however, exceptions: primers by strong players which respect the reader, such Capablanca's and Purdy's. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess" is such a book. The writer (a stronger player than Schiller or Pandolfini can ever hope to be) does not repeat others, but gives thought to what beginners REALLY need to know--and it shows.
   
   He deals respectfully with the history of chess, giving important facts without (false) "fun" anecdotes about the "insanity" of champion X. Even his "why play chess at all?" section is fresh, without any waffle about the "beauty of the immortal game of chess": chess is a fair game where opponents on all levels are easy to find, and it is never boring. THAT is what beginners need to know. The same care is seen in the choice and presentation of the technical material. For example, Wolff deals with space and weak squares, crucial to those who want to become decent chess players, but which most primers simply ignore.
   
   It is no insult to Capablanca's or Purdy's classic primers to say that, finally, a better book for beginners had arrived. Like those primers, it is a book by a very strong player who gave much thought to what beginners really need to know. But it also brings the reader up-to-date on issues (computer chess especially, but also more recent chess history) that the earlier books, of course, couldn't deal with.
   
   Highly recommended.



2. 
   Concisely written that slowly guides players who want to gain a better understanding of how to strategically play (or better yet, at least have a chance vs. more knowledgeable players). Well layed out. One can ease through the text as the information is presented at a liesurely yet practical pace. Refreshing and not overbearing.



3. I learned a lot in this and there were a lot of diagrams for visual learners.



4. 
   
   I bought this book couple of weeks ago and I am done with this book!! It is very interesting book; it is like a mini encyclopedia. This book is big, but for someone who knows basics about chess need not to read the first 120 pages. I finished the first 120 pages in less than 2 hr. This book well explains the principle, strategy and tactics of the game. Worth reading it, it will never make you an idiot as some of the reviewer's told here.



5. Brilliant book. Don't let the title fool you. This is one of the most well-written books about chess I have come across, and the drills are great. It's probably the best beginner book you could read; most beginner books just tell you how all the pieces move and leave it at that. This book actually goes through the various tactics like forks, skewers, uncovered attacks, etc., in a manner that is understandable and fun. Then it moves onto positional considerations. I improved my game by several hundred points by using the techniques I learned in this book, and it made me want to go out and read more books about chess to further develop my skills. HIGHLY recommended!!!!!

5 comments about Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Official Strategy Guide.

1. I'm not much of a gamer but my friends encouraged me to get this for my kids for their XBOX and told me I'd better get it for the PC because I'd never get a chance to play it on the XBOX...I'm glad they did...this is an amazing game...the storyline and graphics are tremendous! I highly recommend it.



2. Very helpful product, especially for a new player like me. In fact, I would say it is essential. The strategies and intel information are as good or better than those available online, yet are handy in nice, glossy paper content whenever you need the information. Screenshots are plentiful.
   
   My major criticism is that the book focuses on online multiplayer action, so not as helpful to a single player like I am.
   
   I would like to see more details on the game basics, such as on weapons (caliber, magazine capacity, stopping power, range, etc.), and strategies for why you would choose one weapon vs. another (there is some of this, but I would like more).
   
   That said, it is very highly recommended for every player, and a must have at around $15, or less.



3. I asked a buddy whether he liked Oblivion more that Final Fantasy VII. He was dumbfounded and was about to suggest something, and then I cut in.
   
   "It's like asking which I like better, Call of Duty 4 or Tetris. I can do that. I like Call of Duty 4 better."



4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Official Strategy Guide.
   the guide is up to date and very helpful.



5. Simply put, this guide is really low on information.
   
   The single player info is pretty sparse and the multiplayer info is just not that useful.

5 comments about Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures Official Strategy Guide (Bradygames Official Strategy Guides).

1. This product did not impress me at all. It was basically an extended game manual. Not to mention that the game is in a constant state of change.



2. I guess my main issue is with the way the book presents material. It doesn't give any hard numbers for feats or skills. On any given feat or skill it'll say something like "give small chance" or "gives small increase". What I want to know is, is it worth my time to learn that skill or feat. How much of a chance does it give? That's what I need to know. Half the book is on character creation and all the info they give is fuzzy. Not really useful at all.
   
   
   Also the maps are useless. They are there but they have no info on them. No markers on where people or places can be found. Aside from looking nice they have no function. You get better info from the in game mini-map.
   
   
   Professions and crafting are there but once again they're missing important info. If you want to make potion X this book will tell you what ingredients you need to make it. That's good. But the book doesn't tell you what potion X is or what it even does.
   
   
   All in all this book is good for some quest info. I had some trouble locating a few things in dungeons that had no mini-map. Sure, it had a quest marker but with no map I had no idea how to get there. So the book did help with those which is why it gets 2 stars instead of one. But that info can be found online for free.
   
   
   Don't bother with this book. We didn't even get an in game free item for it.



3. There's a lot of unknowns in Age of Conan: from the peculiar stat system to the actual numerical effects of certain buffs and skills. I purchased this guide hoping it would expand on the pitiful game manual -- suffice to say, it doesn't.
   
   Everything in the guide can be read from the game tooltips, and there's no in-depth explanations at all. Class descriptions are sanitised and mostly the same ("an excellent solo class, but don't forget to buff up before a fight blah blah"). The back of the guide even devotes pages to "maps" of hyboria that are simply screenshots of the game... just press the "m" key.
   
   A total waste of money, especially considering the massive patch changes that Funcom continues to implement.



4. This was sort of helpful in picking what class to play, but didn't really give in depth guides to anything.



5. This guide is incomplete, its a rush rush job with very little help full detail. Maps are blank with no important details.
   
   you can't get updates from the website either.
   
   Wait for V.2 of the book to be released.
   lvl 45 ranger
   Wishbone

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Sharpening.

1. This is an excellent book that delves into the foundational knowledge that supports the techniques it illustrates for sharpening tools. I was fascinated by the exploration in the topics when bringing the techniques into practice sharpening my chisels and plane blades. It addresses many different types of tools and is a great reference for learning and continuing to learn how to sharpen tools, especially as they apply to woodworking.



2. You have to admire the author. He packs a huge amount of detailled and easily read information in this book. The electron photomicrographs, showing various sharp (and not so sharp) edges using various abarasives are excellent. Leonard also seems to know everything there is to know about the history of steel making, and abrasives. There are excellent chapters on just about every kind of woodworking tool imaginable, with plenty of excellent photographs. If I were a woodworker I would regard this book as being the one and only complete reference text.
   
   BUT... my personal interest is in sharpening kitchen knives. And the chapter on knife sharpening is the least informative in the book, and really tells the reader nothing new that is not already available on many web sites.
   For a complete knife book, you would be far better off with Chad Ward's new book "An Edge in the Kitchen", far better than this book by Mr Lee.
   Also the advice to use plastic book binders as sharpening guides is quite simply useless - they slip off and/or distort under pressure.
   
   I don't mean to disrespect Leonard Lee, or this book. But it is really for woodworking tools, not kitchen knives. Sorry!!



3. What should I say? No need anymore to write other books on sharpening. It is well written and very informative on every detail. If you would like to know everything about sharpening, buy this book and you're done.



4. This book provides a very detailed look at the physics behind sharpening blades. I would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to learns the fundamentals of sharpening.



5. I was looking for more of a how to book. This book does have a lot of information, different angles, types of stones and hones, and a method of sharpening for any edged tool or knife. It just doesnt really show how to do it all.

4 comments about Origami Paper: 24 7" x 7" Sheets in 12 Colors (Origami).

1. As a beginner, this was a nice set of paper to work with. Lot's of colors to start and easy to fold..



2. This set of origami paper was very convenient and my 8 year old daughter had a lot of fun using it. Not to mention the convenience of having it shipped right to our mailbox. She loves to get mail and packages. The price was very reasonable too.



3. The paper was fine. I used it with a basic origami book. My group of 7 kids went through it all in about an hour. It probably would have been a better value if I bought it at the local craft store.



4. I thought the paper would be thiner, but it has a substantial feel to it.

5 comments about Game Theory: A Nontechnical Introduction.

1. The second best after "The Compleat Strategyst" at a primer level, highly redable.
   Yes, unfortunately enough, I am over the age of 13 (65)



2. The book is very well written, and surprisingly easy to read, considering how dry the subject matter can be at times. Gives a very nice introduction to the topic, and finishes off with a more formal discussion of some advanced topics.
   
   If you are a mathematician, this book is probably excruciatingly easy for you, and probably has little academic value. But, if you are a layman, with an interest in systems and games, it really gives you a lot to think about, and a new way to think about it. It introduces a method of determining possible outcomes, as well as giving a nice overview of more sophisticated concepts, should you decide to explore the topic more fully.
   
   Each chapter begins with some questions to consider while reading, and detailed answers to help at the back of each chapter. The only real issue I found with the book is that the questions are missing from chapter one, yet the answers are there. Odd.



3. it was received in ample time for school and in great condition
   a pleasure to work with
   thanks so much



4. This is my "Goldilocks/Babybear" game theory book. Not too hard, not to soft, just right.
   
   Without calculus, Davis provides a complete introduction to an arcane but useful mathematical discipline. The Compleat Strategyst: Being a Primer on the Theory of Games of Strategy by Williams was too soft. It used the simplest possible methods to address the concepts being discussed, and barely acknowledged some of the most interesting topics in game theory. Games and Decisions: Introduction and Critical Survey by Luce and Raiffa was good, up until you hit the calculus (pretty quickly in each chapter), after which I have no basis to form an opinion.
   
   Davis hits all the important concepts of game theory without resorting to sigma notation or even more occult symbols (unlike Luce and Raiffa). He does, however, require a fairly solid understanding of algebra, (unlike Williams). With this fairly humble prerequisite knowledge, Davis takes the non-mathematician where he or she needs to go, and provides a fairly complete level of understanding.
   
   I would recommend this one as a perfect sequel to Williams, should the reader not be challenged, or as a stand-alone for the marginally mathematically literate (such as myself) who need a practical understanding of mathematically grounded decision making.
   
   E. M. Van Court



5. Got this for hubby for his b-day off his wish list and well he loves it. Says he is learning a lot! Did tell me it was a tough read but still learning from it.

5 comments about Texas Hold'em Odds and Probabilities: Limit, No-Limit, and Tournament Strategies.

1. This book will boggle your mind in the beginning with terms and number crunching that probably will need a second or third reading to fully digest ... That is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you don't get frustrated trying to get the the 'meat' of the book. The book gets rolling with more 'advice' and good scenarios from the middle to the end ... although the author does favor certain types of hands. I would not recommend this as a first read for a novice player, but is a good addition to gain this author's prespective on the game.



2. Looks like a good book. I have not made it through the whole thing yet, but I can definitely recommend this vendor.



3. Unless you're a math genius or your name is Chris Ferguson, you need this book.
   
   Top-to-bottom odds and probabilities for limit and no-limit hold'em.
   
   Loaded with charts and explanations. I purchased this book after seeing the charts in the back of the book ... unlike any I've seen elsewhere. You can't go wrong with this book ... it's one of my top favorites.



4. If you had trouble with math in grade school, then this book may be just right for you. But I personally found it was too elementary. Come on--do you really need to explain how to add fractions and how to convert 1/3 to decimals? If you are THAT math-challenged, you probably can't count outs either! By spending so much time on remedial arithmetic, he doesn't cover a lot of ground.
   
   If you've never heard of implied odds and don't have a clue how to size your bets, then by all means buy this book. For anyone who has read one or two poker books, this stuff is too basic--and nothing is new.



5. I previewed this book before I bought it and it seemed like a good value and now that I have it, I still feel that way. The poor reviews from other customers must be from know it alls because unlike many poker titles, it delivers exactly what it says.
   
   If you already know the odds then you dont need this, but I already knew how to calculate with the 2-4 method but it expands on that to add implied odds, and douts. Thats how far I am into this book so far, and I expect the rest of it to be worth the time to read it and the cost.
   
   Do not be misled by the haters. If you are shopping for a book on the subject of texas holdem odds, I would say its worth it. Many poker books are convoluted and this one is perfectly readable. So the people who said it is too basic might be fans of the convoluted books that I dont fully understand, but I found this book useful to re-enforce what I already knew and to help me expand on that knowledge.
   
   Last comment, the book wasnt the holy grail that I couldnt live without, but it definitely gave me a deeper understanding of the subject and I would certainly reccomend it.

5 comments about The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokemon--The Story Behind the Craze That Touched Our Lives and Changed the World.

1. I'm a vintage game geek. I loved video games from my first Magnavox home system, through my Atari, NES, up to my PS2. I grew up in an arcade at my local shopping mall. I've not moved on to the current systems because life (mainly job and wife) kind of make growing up a necessity. However I've always had fond memories for those early gaming years. Now that you know where I'm coming from, it'll give a little background to my review.
   
   This is a very well researched and written account of the birth and growth of the video game industry. I've read this book cover to cover and truly did enjoy the in-depth history and annectdotes that is put forth in the book. But I can't say enough how much I was really wanting this book to be THE definitive book on the video/arcade game culture. That should include far more photos and captures from the games themselves. This book lacks severely for photos at all! The book reads a lot like a text book, but I think some re-formatting to something even like Jon Stewart's "America" text would actually benefit this book. In fact, I'd be willing to pay the increased cost to have such a book.
   
   That said, you will certainly come away from this book with a cool understanding of how the industry ebbed and flowed over the years. If you are prone to setting down a book that is pretty wordy, you may want to think twice about this book, but know that you will be missing a lot of the inside story that connects so much from the past to the present.
   
   Hope that gives you some good information to make an informed purchase.



2. The book is really good, although I think at the beginning it focuses only in the Atari point of view, a lil incomplete but hey, you could write an entire encyclopedia about gaming and it would still be short.
   
   But still if you are a gamer or a businessman, this is a must have, must read and must memorize.



3. As others have stated, this book truly lives up to its name. Jam-packed with more information than you can imagine, all written in a lively, entertaining style. Set aside plenty of time though - you won't be able to put it down!
   
   Bottom Line: An absolute must-own for any gamer. Period.



4. Very Sad I wasted the money on this book.
   
   It has some good factual material and seems to be complete...but comparing against other video game history books...this one is dry.
   
   Very few black and white pictures...
   
   This book will put you to sleep...sorry just not happy with this one.



5. Having been playing games since 1989, when I was four years old, I feel like video game history is a part of my own personal history. I picked this book up to satisfy my nostalgic needs, but I do have a few problems with it that left me wanting more. First off, I want to say that this book is a quick and easy read, and it is incredibly informative about the history of console and arcade games, ranging from the origins of company histories, to the Atari, all the way to the Playstation 2. I learned a lot of interesting little tidbits of information packed away in video game history that I've never even heard working at a game store for the last year.
   
   Now on to my problems with the book...the biggest one is that I've been more into computer games than consoles since Doom came out in 1993, and this book is severely lacking in any PC Gaming storyline. The book does talk about DOOM revolutionizing the 3d graphics in computer games, and details a little bit about "Doom clones" such as Duke 3D and Quake, then says nothing about PC games for the rest of the book. What the heck! As if Age of Empires, Warcraft, Diablo, Everquest, Ultima Online, or any other '90s computer game wasn't as important as the countless Mario and Sonic sequels!
   
   Another problem with the book: It's seven years old! A lot has happened since then. Update, please!
   
   All in all, this book is a must-have for anyone that grew up on Mario and Sonic. The book focuses more on the successes and failures of the companies involved (Atari, Activision, Nintendo, Sega, etc.) than the evolution of gameplay, but not so much that it loses the average sitting-in-front-of-the-TV gamer. I just wish out of 624 pages the author could've dedicated more to PC games, and that an update would come out soon.

1 comments about NCAA Football 09: Prima Official Game Guide (Ncaa Football).

1. This is a very informative book, but it's mainly geared for the Xbox 360 and PS3 games. There is some good info for the PS2 and Wii games.
   It gives good explanations on gameplay and the different formations and plays for both offense and defense. It explains what formations and plays are good for certain situations.
   The book breaks down all 120 FBS teams, offenses, defenses, formations used, favored plays, and impact players. It doesn't have the players names.
   It's a good reference for the questions asked in the Campus Legend mode exams. Mascot names, team nicknames,trophies, etc.
   Something like this in condensed form, and specific for each game console, should have been included in each game package.
   It's not a must have, just a decent supplement for the serious NCAA Football game series fan.

5 comments about Knock-Out Blackjack: The Easiest Card-Counting System Ever Devised.

1. This book is simpler but works as well as other books for two reasons. You don't have to do multiple calculations to get a true count and it offers great advice for disguising your card counting techniques. I won $2,000 the first time out of the gate using this method.



2. This is a good book if you want to become a casual card counter. If you are planning on quitting your job and becoming a professional blackjack player, you would certainly need more than this, but the "Johnny (or Jane) Weekend" player that just wants to not get killed by the casino should read and study this book. My favorite part of Vancura and Fuchs's system is the fact that there is no need to clumsily estimate how many decks are left and divide that number into the running count to obtain the true count. K-O Blackjack is a mathematically sound counting system which involves much less effort and study than even the Hi-Lo system. Highly recommended!



3. This system will not work.
   
   Let's assume your playing in a 6-deck game. This system has you start your running count at -20, with -4 or higher as the "key" (The point at which you bet high). Using the KO method, after all of the decks are counted through the count will be +4. Does anyone else see the flaw here? Let's say you have a count of -3. This system tells you to bet high (Even suggesting 10 betting units!). But think about it, if a deck completely counted through will end up at +4, then there's a better chance that you'll be drawing low cards, meaning the dealer actually has the advantage. Put simply, if you use this system YOU WILL BE BETTING HIGH WHEN THE DEALER HAS THE ADVANTAGE. If I'm wrong then correct me, please. But I believe this is a very faulty system. If you win anything using it, count it off as luck. Eventually it will ruin you.
   
   This book explains other counting systems as being near impossible for the average person to learn; even explaining how difficult the Hi-Lo system is (Bull). The Hi-Lo system is still the easiest effective counting system (Explained well in Wong's "Professional Blackjack") with the Omega II being one of the most powerful (Beautifully explained in "Blackjack for Blood" by Bryce Carlson). I highly recommend either one of those two systems.
   
   There is a note in this book about the notion of blackjack books being put out by casinos to sort of sabotage counters with false tips. I believe this may very possibly be one of those books. Avoid, avoid, avoid.



4. If you are an amateur, which you probably are if you are reading this, stop reading right now. Get out your credit card and order this book.
   
   I ordered this book a little over a year ago, and since then I am 8-1-1 in my last 10 casino visits. I am UNDEFEATED (too many games to count) in local private games with low table limits, which are fairly common here in this college town. This was all after practicing card counting for 30 minutes per day for about a month.
   
   This is the most effective simple system you can learn to use. Forget about hi/lo. Knock-Out is an unbalanced system, which means there is no need to keep a true count. This is extremely valuable in a casino environment when you have cocktail watresses grabbing you every 10 minutes and the guy beside you won't shut his trap. Order this book, get a deck of cards, print off the strategy tables and go to work.



5. I usually don't write reviews, but I decided to on this one, because there are some reviews that are idiotic. So, let me share with you my experience. Not only have I read this book, I have actually USED the system. Not only have I used this system, I have also used Hi-Low, and Hi-Low OptI. This book specifically tells you why he wrote it from the beginning, and mentioned all the ins and outs of the count. It is well written, and if you have IQ over 50, you'll understand it. Now the real story.
   
   Basically unbalanced count was developed for the "real" world. Why, try Hi-Low OptI count for 8 hours at a packed casino. Try going there 8pm on friday night, and see if you'll find a table with 3 players only. LOL. You won't. Hi-Low OptI is very draining on your mental fatigue, I doubt even 20 year pros can keep doing it for that long. What they have to do is, do it for an hour and move on to another casino, or table after break. Same with Hi-Low, although easier, it is mentally taxing. I actually sat at a same table ($15) and played for 8 hours straight using KO. It's taxing, but not so much as balanced system. That's what it is designed for.
   
   The book comes out telling you that it's not good as balanced count system, but by miniscule fraction! BJinsider did a great article (i think it's newsletter 29 - free) that showed how KO, Red7, BlackA did against Hi-Low on a 6-deck. Hi-Low was .68% gain, vs .67% for Red7, .65% for KO and .63% for BlackA. The great thing is you don't have to take his word for it. You can download some of these testing softwares or buy it, and run the test yourself, and you should get a similar results.
   
   Now, the final point. All these statistics for counting are using A LARGE # of hands played, to minimize noise and get the actual true "worth" of the system. Remember, you have to play over million hands to actually see these results. .65% is little over 1% advantage over the house. You ain't going to make thousands consistently playing 500-600 hands a week. That why there was the mit "TEAM". They main objective is to get as many hands played possible (they also cheated little using team work, but we'll leave that for another day). If you can get 45-60 hands/hour, you can probably play 10-12 hours/day with break in between. that's like 600 hands avg a day. You have to play 7x600 = 4200 hands. 4200x50 = 210K hands. Do that for 5 years, and maybe you'll stiff 6 figure gain. You want a LIFE like that? (exaggerating little bit, but you get the point)
   
   So, what I'm trying to say is KO is a GREAT system for casual players, as this book was written for. It's also a good system for pros, since it's similar to Hi-Low in returns. Don't expect to leave the casinos with a whad of cash, if you're lucky it can happen. I once made over $2k playing $15 table in 2.5 hours. So, it's possible with KO. But you gotta be lucky too. Because I've also been busted couple of times too ($400 max each session). It's over the long haul he's talking about. Oh, unbalanced system becomes more accurate as deeper you penetrate the deck, so don't go crazy early on. wait for 3-4 decks to be gone, so each deck you'll only have 2 or 3 chances to bet big. That's still good enough if you get lucky, since odds are with you. I played many shoes that I didn't even get to bet big, it's ok. This is the grind. Big spreads are best, but can get heat, so learn some stealth from this book or other books. Go there to have fun, make some money if you are lucky, just don't expect to be rich unless you plan on 12h x 7d x 50wks x50yrs BJ life. Hope this helps.
   
   Edit: I forgot to add this tidbit, since I mostly play AC and they only have shoe games. But for 1 or 2 deck games, I'd recommend learning the Hi-Low as you want more accurate count then. But for shoes games KO and Red7 is just as nice.