2 comments about Do You Know Your Bride? (Do You Know Your...).

1. My Groom and I bought this book and the companion (Do you know your groom) and had great fun one night answering all the questions. We surprised each other with some of the answers. Highly recommended to sit down with these books and take a break from wedding planning for some getting to know you fun.



2. My Fiance and I got this book as well as do you know your groom. We had a lot of fun one night sitting at home answering the questions about eachother. I highly recomend this book, otherwise I would have never known my fiance had once had a crush on Miss French, one of his grade school teachers!

No comments about The Dallas Cowboys Crossword Puzzle Book: 25 All-New Football Trivia Puzzles.

1 comments about Champions of the Force Booster Pack (Star Wars Miniatures Product).

1. "Champions of the Force" is the fifth expansion set in the Star Wars Miniatures Universe, which started with the Rebel Storm Starter set back in September, 2004 (see more about the minis game itself in my addendum below). There are 60 different figures in this set. Each booster comes with seven durable, pre-painted minis (including one rare OR one very rare figure).
   
   The first thing I look for in any expansion set are how many characters I recognize from the movies (vs. those that appeared only in the books). I am particularly interested in figures from the original trilogy. Unfortunately, there are only 9 figures from the original trilogy in this set. However, some of them are very good, and definitely worth getting (for example, Hoth Trooper with ATGAR Cannonn Luke Skywalker Young Jedi, Yoda of Dagobah, and Snowtrooper with E-Web Blaster). There are also a few great new common figures from the original trilogy in this set (most notably the Sandtrooper, R5 Astromech Droid, and Ugnaught Demolitionist)
   
   Further, though I am not a big fan of the prequel, there are about 15 very good to excellent new figures from these movies as well (for example, General Windu, Queen Amidala, Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul, and Darth Sidious). The rest are either from the books, or generic/minor characters that I have never seen or heard of before (however, some of the generic characters are also very good - especially for use in the Star Wars RPG).
   
   In sum, this expansion set is only fair for those interested in the original trilogy, but is very good for those interested in the prequel. Also, by my count there are 25 figures with light sabers, making it among the best of the expansion sets in this regard (i.e., if that's the way you like to play this game, you will definitely like this set).
   
   ADDENDUM: (Please note that I include this addendum at the end of all my Star Wars minis reviews, so if you've read it before, there is no need to read it again.) If you want to play the Star Wars minis game as it was designed to be played, it is best to have at least one starter (each starter comes with game instructions, a map, a D20, terrain tiles that are very helpful and add great variety to the game, and more). I like the Rebel Storm Starter the best because it's from the classic era/trilogy, but the Clone Strike and Revenge of the Sith starters from the newer movies will also work. If you don't want to invest in a starter, you can also get one of the three "Ultimate Missions" books, as each comes with a double sided map and a few smaller terrain tiles (again, I like the Rebel Strom Ultimate Missions book the best because it is also from the classic era/trilogy). Or, you can buy the "Attack on Endor" scenario pack, which comes with TWO double sided maps (in addition to a scaled AT-ST that is fully usable in play). The main point here is that you'll need some type of map/grid. If you don't want to buy a Star Wars one, generic ones are also available at most gaming stores (you can use your imagination to set the scene, or draw terrain with an erasable marker right on the grid). Of course, the minis are also useful for the roleplaying game (RPG) - in which case you may not need a starter or map, but will likely need the "Core Rulebook" instead. Finally, they are just fun to collect for those who like all things Star Wars!

5 comments about Final Fantasy Chronicles Official Strategy Guide.

1. This is a well written guide covering two wonderful games. I found it very helpful, especially for Chrono Trigger, which I had not played in any form before.

   It's got all the basics covered, but there were a few tricks that it left out, such as the rather odd but very useful trick of slowing down the battle speed in FFIV to make the battles easier.




2. this guide is definatley one of the worse guides i have ever used. I foud items that weren't listed at the begining of each section mislabled items, a couple of their boss sugestions were poorly done, in the final fight it claims Zeromus is a counter atacke well he's not onc you hit him he dose't stop. Directions were poorly done, secret areas were not described. Their suggested levels were too high, up until the final boss fight wher they are pretty acurate



3. This game guide is one of the best that i have seen yet for chrono trigger...though the cover isnt very flashy it is after all what is inside that counts. With this guide you wont have to worry about getting lost in that annoying dungeon or get defeated by that darn nasty boss and have to keep reloading your game. not only that but with this guide you will be able to complete all 11 alternate endings of the game. yes it may seem like a lot of work but it is worth it everytime, trust me. rest assured this guide will bring you to the top of your game.



4. Product was clear and fully illustrated in a very helpful manner.
   When ever i got stuck it helped me right out. Plus it told you how to get all the endings to chrono trigger! A steal at fifteen for any one who knows role-playing games.



5. I have found that in several other guides written by dan birlew the items, magic, etc. are listed incorrectly. it appears he's done it again. if all you need is a map and some helpful items then this book is for you. however, i wouldn't be so generous as to call it comprhensive knowledge for the game. once again, locations, items, and other general mis-knowledge comes up several times throughout this book. for a real eye-opener as to how bad the author is, play this game and read some online faqs at gamefaqs.com and compare the knowledge.

4 comments about From London to Elista: The Inside Story of the World Chess Championship Matches That Vladimir Kramnik Won Against Garry Kasparov, Peter Leko and Vesilin Topalov.

1. First I want to clarify and say that this book deserves its good reputation, and its high selling volume since it first came out is justified. One can enjoy penetrating into thinking process of the skilled chess professionals who had been interviewed from the Kramnik camp, as well as read excripts from the other GMs cited from different sources.
   Sheer amount of psychology involved into pre-game preparation is puzzling, and drive one to continuously read it. Concreatly, I was more interested into reading details of pre-game preparation process and post-mortem reactions, than of analysis of the games played. Fortunatelly, analysis material of the games is significantly lighter that that of the "San Luis 2005" book, but still it wouldnt mind if some more textual explanation had been added into it, especially at late opening phase mortals nowdays are hard to grasp.
   From historical perspective this is the book to have on your chess shelf to cover world championship matches starting from 2000 and leading to final unification match in 2006.
   Recommended.



2. If you are a typical chess amateur like me who loves to read chess books more for the anecdotes, and sort of wishes that the games and analysis would somehow automatically permeate through to my consciousness, then you will love this book.
   
   The stories and accounts are fascinating, Ilya Luvitov in particular asks some very sharp and direct questions and this brings out the best of Bareev. And snippets in between from thoughts of Kramnik and Lautier and the occassional quip from an Kasparov interview keep making the book more colorful.
   
   The games are full of diagrams and there is both sufficient text commentary that you dont need to setup a board and also there is enough analysis to keep one busy if one did get the pieces out !
   
   A book not to be missed, unique amongst all chess books in the way it captures the very heart of the human element of competitive endeavour.



3. After I have seen this book I must say that it is a "must" that anyone should have. It is shameful that somebody that wants to become the undisputed world champion, tries to win it by means that do not belong to the sport. To accuse someone and to have no proof at all of anything, it is only show of seomone who is not capable of getting anything via normal ways.
   Definitely Kramnik won "EVERY SINGLE POINT" on the chess board. I have seen the San Luis 2005 book, and I would say, that yes it might have some points in which Topalov could have worked on his own before computers were well developed. But, to try to win a WCC match by no sportive means. That's something else!. NO EXCUSE for that!!!
   I really like the book!



4. From London to Elista: The Inside Story of the World Chess Championship Matches That Vladimir Kramnik Won Against Garry Kasparov, Peter Leko and Vesilin Topalov I found the book to read easily and the material with analysis is very strong.

5 comments about Simple Chess: New Algebraic Edition.

1. I agree with all the positive observations made by the other reviewers, but would like to extend the list of typos started by Dr. Salawu. Here are the errors I've found, with page numbers as they appear in the 2002 Dover algebraic edition:
   
   p.15, variation following move 22: "(23...Kb3" should be "(23...Kc6"
   p.33, 6th para: "conceding the d4 square" should be "conceding the d5 square"
   p.47, 2nd para: the omitted 21st Black move in the variation is Ne5
   p.52: "7. Bxc3" should be "7. bxc3"
   p.96, variation following move 31: the move after 32. Nxf4 should be Rc1+
   p.102, 1st para: "Bb7" should be "Bg7"
   p.129, 1st para: "all kings" should be "all kinds"
   p.129, last para: Black's 12th move in the second variation should be Rh5, not Rh4
   p.158: Black's 4th move was Bb7, not Bg7
   p.160, 1st line: "28. Bc5!" should be "28. Bc5+!"



2. I received this book in the mail and thought "another chess book for temporary amusement" -- then, to the shelf it would go to collect dust for years. I'm happy to say I was WAY wrong on that line of thinking!!
   
   This is the most absorbing chess book I have ever read!
   
   That said, it is not for beginners (stated many times before by others), and it is not for players who only enjoy tactics and suicidal attacks. This is the essence of positional chess in one book-- captured and explained in a very impressive manner by Stean.
   
   My opinion is subjective -- I love positonal play and believe that's the reason to play the game! But I've already learned so many things (outposts, minority attack, etc.); my eyes have been opened to these "secrets" like never before. I feel like I have at least a small understanding of what GM's are looking for in their games, from a positional standpoint.
   
   Also, I like the fact that the games are more recent than My System (which is very good)-- you get to see the Siclian and King's Indian and others, not just the Ruy Lopez and QGD of the early 1900's.
   
   It's hard to put into words why this book is so choice, but I wish it was 500 pages-- I could live as a recluse with this book and a board!
   
   To all my future opponents-- please ignore this book and stick with tactics and your kamikaze style play-- that might make our future battles so much easier for me!
   
   Thank you Michael Stean-- a fantasic effort on your part!! Too bad it took me this long to discover it.



3. Simply the best! Important elements of Chess Strategy explained lucidly. A truly great book that introduces chess strategy to the masses. A must have book for the intermediate player.



4. If you see this in a bookstore look at his analysis of the first game in the introduction (Botvinnik-Szilagyi). If that doesn't sell you then nothing will.
   
   This is the most instructive chess book I own (sadly, I own many). I have all the "standards" - Silman, Chernev etc - but this is simply the best. And the acid test is that it improved my results. I won't dwell on its quality, because other reviewers have covered that. I will say that you will never look at the board the same way again after reading it.
   
   The book does assume some previous reading on positional concepts, but it doesn't assume any competence (trust me). Everyone's read some inappropriate positional tome early in their career, so this shouldn't be a problem for most people.
   
   Another reviewer has said something to the effect that every sentence has some instructive value, and I couldn't agree more. When I first read it I glossed over some things as I was caught up in the prose and the "main point", but on subsequent readings I realized that there is a whole second layer - a kind of indirect, subconscious instruction - in the writing when he sets context or alludes to alternatives. Take a relaxed read first up, by all means, but I urge you to give it a real serious word by word analysis subsequently. The prose is very deliberate. There are no throw away lines. It is a gold mine.
   
   I remember reading that a publishing house was trying to do a new edition of the original (descriptive notation) edition in the late 90s but that Stean was uninterested. I am so glad he changed his mind. It is a pity that such a talent has remained silent for so long. I wish he would write again. Anything.
   
   Study tactics, and read this. Maybe chess is simple after all.



5. A small book ( only 160 pages ) but what a book !!! I can see why all the reviews have been either 4- or 5-stars. It is particularly suited for the intermediate players who want to tighten their game by a few notches. There aren't many books that can cut to the chase quickly and reveal the kernel of chessic wisdom - Simple Chess does. If one has vague ideas of some chess concepts, by the end of the book, they will not remain vague. But to be even handed, one definitely must have some idea of chess concepts ( however vague !) PRIOR to reading this book.

5 comments about The New York Times Crosswords to Keep Your Brain Young: The 6-Step Age-Defying Program (The New York Times Crosswords).

1. The person I purchased this for was in the hospital for a week. She is an extremely intelligent woman who felt this book is really lame and very lacking. She threw it away.



2. I really enjoyed reading this book and I found the puzzles extremely stimulating. Each chapter was full of facts about how our brain works and what to do to keep it young. Dr. Fotuhi is obviously the most credible author on this topic with a MD and a PhD in neurology he has the necessary background in this field and is capable of writing in simple terms.
   I strongly recommend this book and already bought a few copies for those I love.



3. My memory is not what it used to be. The older I get, the less I seem to remember. What I liked about this book is that it uses simple crosswords combined with practical technics to help keep your brain fit. Interlaced between each set of crosswords is a chapter on Dr. Fotuhi's 6-step program on how to improve your memory. He shows how we can remember more by doing simple things like taking dance lessons and eating more 'brain food'. It looks like it is after all possible to teach old dogs new tricks.



4. Great Idea and Great Book. I have noticed my memory has gotten worse over the last several (OK... fifteen years). The strategies Dr. Fotuhi presents are simple and seem to work. The ideas in the book are even good for people who don't like crossword puzzles. For those who do like them it's a little bonus.



5. The book is a great combination of useful and informative facts about the brain and the mechanisms that can contribute to its deterioration, along with challenging and fun crosswords from the best known source of cross words: the New York Times. As a result, this book has reinforced my determination to also eat right, and do more exercise in order to maintain both my body and mind in good health.
   
   I would recommend this book as a gift for anyone who likes to spend a few minutes before bed to do a cross-word puzzle, but who also enjoys learning more about the brain.

5 comments about Ideas Behind the Chess Openings: Algebraic Edition (Chess).

1. This book is horribly outdated, and cannot be recommended. It's not just a matter of the theory being outdated - even the discussion of the ideas is outdated.
   For example, Fine says that the Scandinavian "cannot be recommended," that it is essentially a second-class, almost unsound opening - but we've known since at least the 90's that it is a perfectly viable defense. For another example, he criticizes the Advance Variation of the Caro-Kann as essentially harmless, when we now know that White has a variety of ways to secure at least a small advantage (after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 White can play Nc3 and g4 and start a strong kingside attack, or simply consolidate his/her spatial advantage with moves like Nf3, Be3, Be2, etc.). The worst is his treatment of the Sicilian. He lays out some general strategic advice that is horribly, horribly wrong. For example, he says that Black should never play ...e5 because the pawn on d6 is a severe weakness. Yet many, many, mainstream lines of the Sicilian, most notably several lines within the Najdorf, involve ...e5 (Notice he includes no discussion of the Najdorf!!!). Yes, the d6 pawn is a potential weakness, but the point is that Black trades that weakness for dynamic counter-play.
   I suppose his discussion of the classical 1.e4 e5 and 1.d4 d5 openings are okay, but everything else has to be taken with a serious grain of salt. When you consider that there are other similar and much more recent books out there (try Sam Collins or Gabor Kallai), I don't "Understand" why anyone would listen to Fine's "Ideas" about the "Openings."



2. The original edition of this book is now over 60 years old and obviously much has changed in opening theory, making this book seriously outdated and misleading when it comes to most specifics and some generalities.
   
   Don't read this book if you want an idea of lines to play. In fact, don't even read (at least most of) this book if you are looking for reliable ideas on specific openings. The section on the Sicilian, for instance, is almost hopeless.
   
   Instead, read the book to learn more about how to think about openings and how to convert principle to practice, following the procedure I describe below.
   
   The whole book can in fact be a useful aid to critical thinking if you look up a certain opening here and then go on to study it in a modern guide. Contrasting the ideas and supporting moves will lead to a greater understanding, not only of how ideas have evolved, but how they are expressed in practice. For instance, if you read in Fine's book about the aforesaid Sicilian, and then see what has changed in modern practice, and make a real effort to understand *why*, you will benefit greatly.
   
   But never read this book in isolation. It would be like reading a 50-year old physics text.



3. IDEAS BEHIND THE CHESS OPENINGS gives you a general idea of what most of the openings are about. Don't look at this book to find the most modern and detailed analysis of any specific opening as it is very general. Since this book was written over 40 years ago, though updated some, it will not cover modern ideas. "Understanding the Chess Openings" in my opinion does a better job of what this book is intended to do. I also can suggest to understand the ideas and tricky parts of openings you get "Winning Chess Traps" as well. Do not just memorize moves - understand the ideas!



4. I learned to play chess over 37 years ago but didn't play much after college. I recently started studying it when friends at work got me back into the game. I'm sure I'm only in the 800s if was to get a rating.
   A friend loaned me this book and other than the 10 principles in the first chapter it immediately loses a beginner. The errors identified in the other reviews are a big clue that this is not a great work. I had a terrible time trying to follow several of the games on a board and so I gave up.
   
   For a beginner, I have found, "Discovering Chess Openings" by John Emms to be very good book. At least I understand what the author is saying and he starts at a level I can grasp and builds from there.



5. The criticism against this book is that it is outdated, and that much changed in opening theory since the time Fine wrote. This criticism is true: anybody checking, say, Chessbase's latest database will find numerous games by strong players where the opening principles and ideas Find recommends are violated right and left by strong players.
   
   However, this is almost irrelevant. While it is true that *professional* chess openings had advanced (a lot) since Fine's day, *amateurs*--the book's intended audience--still must and should learn Fine's basic principles. It is far more useful for an amateur to learn, for example, what are the general pawn formations White and Black aim for in various openings--and why--than to memorize tons of opening line variations.
   
   This books is intended as an antidote to "ECOitis": the amateur who knows oodles of lines of advanced theories, but has no earthly idea *why* people play that way. For example, very often White does eventually play cxd5 in the Queen's Gambit Declined. This gives White the better (potential) center and a half-open c-file. So, why does White only rarely play this move immediately after 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 ? Ask the average "ECO-head" and he won't know. Read this book and you'll realize that White had prematurely freed Black's Queen's Bishop and released the tension in the center, as well as making it easier for Black to free himself by opening lines, and you have some idea how to play the QGD.
   
   It is these sort of principles that one learns in this book. They are not the latest opening theory; but the latest opening theory deals with *exceptions*--with moves that concrete analysis, deep into the middle game, has shown have merit *despite* violating the opening's general principles and goals. Before you care about exceptions, you better learn the principles and goals.
   
   On the down side, Fine's classical prejudices--in particular, his dislike of the hypermodern school--makes him unfairly dismissive of non- classical openings like the Reti (1. Nf3 d5 x2. c4) and the Alekhine (1. e4 Nf6) opening. The reader is advised to look elsewhere for such openings.
   
   But, overall, this is perhaps *the* book one needs after the leanring general the idea in the opening is to develop pieces and to control the center, but don't know much more than that.

5 comments about Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Official Strategy Guide.

1. I have to say say than when I get stuck this helps me out a lot. Thanks Bradygames.



2. I'll be honest with you. This book is designed really well. It is one of two BradyGames books right now in the "Signature" series -- strategy guides that feature higher-quality paper, very well-designed walkthroughs, and an extra like a poster. Unlike other guides, you don't get lost in all the small text trying to figure out where you were reading when you last looked up from the book. The strategy actually goes guard-by-guard, so you can use it if you're stuck trying to get past a specific guard, or you can use it to walk you through the whole game.

   The reason I gave this guide four out of five stars is because it really only contains the minimum information you need to complete the game. Sure, there are blurbs about secrets and stuff, but I just didn't get the feeling that this was a book chock full of "insider's info" on MGS2.




3. I was almost finished with Metal Gear Solid 2 when I stopped playing for almost a year. When I went to play again, I realized that I didn't remember the story that well and I didn't remember the layout of the area I was in. I decided to restart the game, but this time use a guide to make sure that I don't miss any items and to quickly get through the areas I had already played. Since this was the only guide available, I picked it up.

   Some reviews of this guide make mention that the guide is not actually needed to complete the game and that simply playing the game is all the strategy that one needs. That may very well be, but I don't think that applies in reviewing the guide. What matters is that the guide has all of the necessary information required to complete the game and not miss any items and that it includes tips on how to beat the bosses. This guide has all of that and is very valuable in completing the game. While many things can be discovered by trial and errors, this guide will get you through the game with no trouble (the only trouble may come in actually applying the strategies to beat a boss). The most valuable aspect of this guide comes in that it details on a map the patrol patterns of the guards. Knowing in advance how far a guard will patrol is very useful in planning your path though the level. If capturing the dog tags from the soldiers is important to you (and if you want the bonus items, it should be important), the guide provides useful strategies on how to get every dog tag in the game (on normal mode). I tried out some of them, and it worked just as the guide suggested. I wasn't that interested in collecting the dog tags my first time completing the game, so I didn't spend the time to collect them all. As far as I could tell, the strategies were spot on.

   One thing I should mention is that the strategies to get the dog tags and for beating the game apply to the normal difficulty setting. Since some things change on the higher difficulty levels, the guide is probably not as useful for mastering the game on the highest difficulty.

   Using this guide for the normal difficulty level, this is an excellent guide that will take you through the game and not spoil and story points. If you feel you need a guide for Metal Gear Solid 2, this one is well worth your money.




4. This guide is the most helpful when you are stuck at a certain place in the game that seems impossible to get past!!! The guide is in-depth and simple at the same time. If your stuck then this guide is for you. (this guide is CHEAP and easy to buy to help you)



5. If you want to play this game with a strategy guide, then your best option is to forget Bradygames and Prima, because authorisedcollection has a much much more detailed and thorough explanation of the game. I had a look at the reviews that 4 or 5 stars are put, they just didn't know what real strategy guide should look at. If you want to have the ranking of the legendary "Big Boss" in the game, go try authorisedcollection guide, otherwise you are just wasting your time playing this game. I'm not trying to offend Bradygames and Prima, but authorisedcollection series the best.

   If you are a Final Fantasy fan, go and compare guides from authorisedcollection and bradygames and you will know what I meant above.

5 comments about Hacking Video Game Consoles: Turn your old video game systems into awesome new portables (ExtremeTech).

1. This book is simply incredible! If you have ever wondered what to do with your old systems that are around your house, this book provides the answer.
   
   The book is extremly easy to follow, ever for people like me who have never soldered anything in my life. The book describes step by step how to take apart a screen from either a portable tv or a portable PSOne screen. He also gives two different portable ideas for each of the four different systems featured in the book (PSOne, Atari 2600 - 4 switch, NES, and SNES Mini).
   
   Just by showing how to take apart the units and describing what is being done, this book opens up posibilities for making any system you own portable (Check his website for proof).
   
   The only complaints that I have about this book is that there are a couple of misprints for some diagrams. All of this is fixed in erratas on his site. Other than that, I wished he would have shown more systems and how to make them portable.
   
   I just couldn't get enough! And I bet you'll love it as well!



2. this isnt just some book that puts all the weight on your shoulders to make sense of it and track down hard to find parts and make this some kind of impossible task. its the real deal!! you really can do this yourself with only basic electronics skill. the best skill probably is a love of video games, which will pretty easily overcome any challenges for technical expertise you might not have...tho little of that is necessary anyways. stop by his web site asap!!! the real thing!



3. A great book for instruction on how to use old video game systems and transform them into new game systems.



4. This book surpassed my expectations. If you are a tinkerer this book will be great for you...if you also like retro-gaming, this book becomes a must have. He is so thorough in his descriptions of the projects, that even if you aren't already handy with electronics you will have no problem completing these projects. I also liked the fact that for each project he has two versions: one full-scale project; and one that can be accomplished without any expensive tools. Highly recommended!



5. Benjamin Heckendorn put his heart into this book. The love I have for my NES and SNES playing days (which still occur about every weekend) is felt from Ben's words, and it makes the in depth details even clearer. Written with a passion and understanding for all things video games, this book is just about all one would need to build a game creation of their own. Fallowing the book step by step is made easy and shameless, but even making your own creation can be easily supported by this book. With photos showing you each step, tips & tricks to get you by, and even corny jokes now and again that lighten the mood (Sorry Ben, but I did laugh at some of them!), this book is inspiration and information at their best.