5 comments about Finite and Infinite Games.

1. I recovered this book after many years on loan and realized I must not have read it before it was lent. Whiz bang wonderful is what it is, and way deep. As Robert M. Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) said about this book, "Normally we add new facts to existing knowledge. But once in a while a book like this comes along and does just the opposite -- it adds a new pattern of knowledge to existing facts. The result is striking. Old dull things you've known for years suddenly stand up in a whole new dimension." Yo Bob! Carse builds his case point by point, a view of the world in terms of games. Most games are played to win but there is a type of game in which the goal is simply to continue play. Games played toward winning require closure: an end in which winner and losers are identified. Infinite games are not closed either by time or space, and infinite games may encompass many finite games; indeed, all finite games. There are no winners in infinite games, only players. Wonderful. Wonderful. Full.



2. I have used this as a philosophy text in my college teaching for many years. It has been described by my students as "transformative". No matter what their field area, the sciences or the arts, this text gives a "Bigger Picture" view of roles, culture, society, competition, war, waste, even sex than any book I have ever read.
   
   I have created comprehensive Chapter Outlines that you may have for free if you contact me:
   
   Professor Mesple'
   Chair of Fine Arts
   Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design
   1600 Pierce Street,
   Lakewood, CO 80214



3. All the reviews of this book - good, bad, indifferent - are correct. But not because of ambiguity, but because it talks about the essential duality of life - ying/yang, I/thou, theory of mind, stimulus/response, conservation of energy - with us stuck in between. I read it as a phenomenology with us in tension between object and subject. This book has no purpose other than to get people - everyman - to think. The reviews indicate it has clearly achieved that objective.



4. I enjoyed the first chapter of this book. His explanation of what he calls finite games is interesting and can be useful in looking at relationships, politics, entertainment, etc. He draws some nice distinctions between those and what he calls "infinite games," but since infinite games are much harder to explain the book goes awry in the later chapters.
   
   The book is written in a sort of Tralfamadorian-style series of brief sections, each with its own paradoxical and sometimes interesting idea. After the first chapter, though, the style begins to pall and by the third chapter--"I am the Genius of Myself"--paradox becomes an end in itself and a book that had been interesting descends to the merely clever and then to the meaningless. For example, here is the difference between infinite and finite players on the subject of war: "For infinite players, if it possible to wage war without killing a single person [an idea he takes from Rousseau], then it is possible to wage war only without killing a single person." He does not offer any reasons why this is true, or even what it means. In the last five chapters, Carse makes many statements like this. Some are unexplained, some perhaps inexplicable and many that are just silly.
   
   Eventually, the book becomes banal: finite players are bad, infinite players are good. If you must read the book, stop after the second chapter.



5. This is basic philosophy wrapped in a poor metaphor. To sum the book, there are things that we must cast off as trivial and there are things that transcend our immediate concerns. Pay attention to the larger concerns and forget the "small stuff." Read Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius instead if you wish to explore your own place in life.

5 comments about Super Mario Galaxy: Prima Official Game Guide.

1. This has to be one of the most disorganized, hardest-to-follow guides I have ever read. The maps of galaxies are small and pointless. Explanations are sometimes great, but more often very hard to understand. If you're looking for the hidden stars, the guide has them listed but not in any kind of way that you can easily find the right page.



2. After reading some of the reviews on here I feel much better knowing that I am not alone when I say this guide is out of order. I hate to say this because I am one who has owned many guides and never had to complain about it being all over the place and this seems to be the very first one where I must say it's disorganized. Take for an example...After you beat The Good Egg Galaxy and you flip the next page states about the comet which will appear..ok when exactly and how many stars do you need so that can take place?! That really got me angry because it's suppose tell you when this event takes place I only came to find out when I had went to other planets and had a certain amount of stars that then the comet appear but that happend many stars later!! The guide did not tell me that at all! Then after they tell you about the comet they say Luigi appears in good egg galaxy but that ONLY happens after you go to another galaxy to another planet!! Then way post it in the good egg galaxy part when that event is not going to take place at that moment!!! As far as the maps it's really great and the pictures are great too also the author gives some educational tips but thats all. I payed 20.00 for a book thats unorganized. It bothers me because for such an award winning game you think they would make sure the guides do justice. I was doing really good with out the guide really but I knew if I didn't get it and I got stuck I would be kicking myself so I gave in. Sorry but this guide only gets one star. It may be beautiful but in the end the organization and words are way more important then that.



3. Don't waste your money on this POS. If you need a walk through go to YouTube.
   
   This book is impossible to to learn from. The photos and text are far too small to read. The book does not follow any logical order.
   
   Please save your money. I could never find anything I was looking for.



4. It works great. What else can I say? The only thing missing are cheat codes :)



5. My son who is a 7 year old loves this game. Could not put it down. This game is fun for all ages though.

5 comments about Killer Sudoku 1: The Deadly New Dimension.

1. In my opinion, Killer Sudoku puzzles are much more fun and satisfying to solve than regular Sudoku puzzles because of the added complexity of the sums and the various techniques that can be employed to solve them. "Killer Su Doku 1: The Deadly New Dimension" contains 110 puzzles of which there are 17 Gentle, 30 Moderate, 42 Tricky, 16 Tough, and 5 Deadly puzzles. Each puzzle has a suggested time to beat. There is also a two-page "Guidelines for Solving Killer Su Doku".
   
   I didn't find the guidelines for solving to be particularly useful. They give a quite minimal explanation of how to solve these types of puzzles and leave out explanations of some of the more important techniques for solving, such as the 45 Rule. (Steve Arons book, "The Official Book of Killer Sudoku" contains a much more comprehensive introduction.)
   
   Regarding the suggested times, I didn't specifically time myself, but I often noticed that I took much less or much more time than what was suggested. As for difficulty, I found that sometimes a puzzle in a given section was either much harder or much easier than what was implied. The puzzles in the Deadly section were no more difficult than the ones in the Tough section. The hardest puzzles in the book are 78, 98, and 105. I eventually figured out some interesting equations and relational techniques for solving 78 and 98. (Whew, that was fun!) Puzzle 105 is the only one that I have not yet managed to solve.
   
   This brings me to a recommendation for the Solutions section. In general, I find the solutions in the backs of Sudoku books to be useless. If I finish a puzzle and it conforms to the rules then it's correct; otherwise it's wrong. I don't need a solution to tell me that. The only time I look at the solution is occasionally when I'm doing a really difficult puzzle and I want to check an intermediate result to make sure I'm on the right track so I don't end up having to erase the entire puzzle and start over. This also helps to instantly understand what type of mistake I made. Something that would be really helpful in the solutions for the really difficult puzzles would be to show a partially solved grid and an explanation of how to get to the next step.
   
   On the whole I found this book to be very enjoyable and highly recommend it for any Killer Sudoku fan. Publisher, another one please!



2. I do enjoy regular Sudoku. But there are a couple of problems with it. First, while it uses numbers, it in no way uses the properties of numbers. Second, the level of effort to solve such puzzles is generally uneven; you may get a few numbers early, but then it gets very tough, and soon after that it is easy again. When it is tough, you may have to write down possible values in a square or guess, and that's unsatisfying compared to being able to simply write down correct numbers in blank squares.
   
   With Killer Sudoku, one does get to use the additive properties of numbers, so there really is a difference between the symbols! And the level of effort is more nearly even. In addition, even hard puzzles generally can be solved without writing anything down but the answers. It is my favorite Sudoku variant ("Greater than Killer Sudoku" is my second favorite).
   
   This book is about at the right level. Do not be scared by the "deadly" puzzles at the end, as I found them to be easier than some of the earlier ones.
   
   I recommend this book to all those who enjoy a challenge and have some time on their hands.



3. If your bored of Sudoku and not finding the standard puzzles challenging you need to try these out. The page layout of this book is good there is ample room to write your number combinations and there are suggested times for each puzzle. The paper used in the book is softer but stands up fine to an eraser.



4. I ran into Killer Sudoku accidentally, and became hooked ever since. The (simple addition and subtraction) math involved adds a new dimension to the puzzle. Unlike the standard Sudoku, Killer Sudoku puzzles have more twists and surprises waiting to be explored. The more difficult puzzles in this book are very satisfactory in harboring many pleasant and exciting ones.
   
   The books contain 110 puzzles of 5 levels. When you advance to the last two level, your skill and fun are elevated as well. I guess after you mastered the game, you may want to get books with only difficult ones (and they should be so published). One nice thing about this book is that the puzzles seem to have been tested, and there is a 'par' time for each one of them. For easy one the pars are ten to 20 minutes, and the hardest ones up to 90 minutes. These par times are pretty good in that I tended to exceed them in the beginning, but after I have advanced to high levels and came back to do some easier ones that I skipped I often beat the par. The time competition factor also is a way to enjoy the easy ones.
   
   Highly recommended for going through the levels and mastering the game. If you are looking only for tough Killer Sudoku books, this one contains about 20 very good ones.



5. I encountered Killer Sudoku in a Will Shortz sudoku variants book and became hooked on it, and this is a great book of it. It allows you to move between a variety of solving techniques taken from both regular Sudoku and Kakuro. The puzzles here come in a good variety of solving difficulty, with enough easy ones for you to practice your techniques on, and enough challenging ones that you won't get bored.

5 comments about Jewelry Studio: Wire Wrapping (Jewelry Studio).

1. Wire Wrapping, by Linda Chandler and Christine Ritchey, is a fantastic introduction to all things beautiful in the world of wire! These two friendly authors make what might appear to be daunting accessible to anyone who wishes to learn to wire wrap beautiful bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants. They even have a guest appearance by a wire artist, Russ Sperring, who teaches how to wrap a lovely ring with a stone at its center.
   
   The book begins with a list of tools and materials needed to create the pieces you will admire and soon be making yourself. Then there is a suggested "first project" bracelet which will help anyone who is taking this seriously to understand all the ins and outs of what will be coming up later on. The authors strongly recommend making this design before proceeding further. I loved the design (I am betting that you will too!), so that seemed like a good idea to me anyway!
   I had several favorites, including the first project. One was a stunning "Bow Tie" bracelet, and one was a "Celtic Knot". I loved the look of both of these.
   
   Most of the wire wrapping is done with half hard wire, something I have never used in my work. Many of the tools are strangers to me, although I own a few of certain ones required (like step-nose pliers and a mandrel) and have not used them yet. However, now I am raring to go, thanks to Linda and Christine, who infuse their creations and writing style with joy, charm, humor and beauty!
   Yes! I want to make this type of jewelry! All of these great looks are so beautiful! And when I am done following their clear instructions, I will have one or many brilliant creations. I know I will love it when people ask, "Where did you GET that?" and I can say, "I made it, MYSELF! With a little help from my friends, Linda and Chris!"



2. A well written book showing precise details for step by step procedure for many new and different projects, along with the basic techniques.
   An excellent book suitable for beginner or advanced wirewrappers.



3. This book is excellent - I am an experienced wire artist and I was looking for some simple projects to teach others. This book has wonderful detail and pictures and all of the projects are great.



4. This is the best wire wrapping book that I have seen. Great ideas for the beginner and advanced student. You will love this book.



5. Great starter book for any wire wrap "nut". Nice photography, great projects, nice source sites.

5 comments about Winning Low-Limit Hold'em.

1. One of the first poker books I ever bought, six years ago, was the first edition of this book. Now it has been updated a couple of times and has definitely improved. The preflop standards are pretty tight, and this will pay off under the proper conditions.
   It seems that limit Hold-em games are slowly dying out online. They seem to be tightening up little by little, as well. But if you take advantage of the best rakeback programs (where you get a piece of the rake, whether you put money into the pot on that hand or not), and if you play tight preflop as recommended in this book, you should make a solid income with very little risk. I originally built my bankroll using the advice in this book, but have switched to the no-limit sit and goes now because they are so juicy. Limit tables are tougher to find now, especially during non-peak hours. Still, if you are just starting out at poker, and want to build your bankroll with minimal risk, I suggest you buy this book. But buy the most recent edition! There have been substantial changes.



2. This is a solid book on poker. The book assumes that you know how to play poker - and focuses on teaching you the strategies to use to beat opponents. Everything you need to know is here - in an understable form. I recommend this book.
   --- Glenn G. Thater - Author of 'Harbinger of Doom'.



3. In a sea of poker books this stands tall as the best introduction and strategy to the most popular poker game of them all Holdem.
   
   This book is the first step on the journey to becoming a winning poker player.



4. Read this along with Warren's book and you'll have most of the basics for low limit HE down pat. Play solid hands from the back and let the sheeple donate their cash to you. Also prepare to be drawn out on a whole lot!
   Low limit players bitch about all the "suck-outs", but that's what gets you paid after a few thousand hands even out the luck factor. Just be ready for variance and lots of it when you start out. If you can't stand the swings, try chess....or play higher, where a raise means something (at least that's what they tell you, until they play the 40-80 at the Commerce).
   You'll be a good tight player once you put this book's advice into practice, but you'll still be a long way from truly solid. Until you can shift gears hard and fast, you won't ever run over a game like you should when you're running good.
   Start out here, though, and you'll be well-prepared to get to the next level or two. Then you'll learn to read players well, or go broke. Simply playing tight only goes so far...but you need to be good at it before you move up.



5. I started playing Texas Hold 'em about a month ago. I consistently lost money until I started reading this book. Now I'm winning consistently, and I'm only halfway through it. I don't mind the term "low-limit" being considered synonymous with "beginner-level," because that is what I am. I play 10¢/20¢ tables online right now. I "graduated" from 1¢/2¢, then 2¢/4¢. Next month I hope to hit the 25¢/50¢ tables.
   
   The point is that I haven't deposited a penny from my bank account since I began reading and applying the words of Lee Jones.
   
   The two best pieces of advice I could possibly give to a new player are to read this book, and never sit at a table with more than 10% - 20% of your money. If you can't afford to lose and have another five or 10 chances to play again another day, you're giving your money away to people like me. This may mean playing for pennies (like I do). Don't feel low-class. Let the bad players build your bankroll to prepare you for the big tables -- not your paycheck.
   
   I guarantee I will re-read this book enough that I'll want another copy -- so I just placed one in my Amazon cart. I hesitated to write a review at all -- thinking that I could only help other people take my money. Then I realized that there are already a ton of positive reviews, and I'm still winning barely a month into the game. So if you're smart enough to actually read a book instead of watching tournament play for your poker education, good for you. I hope to see you winning at the next table over.

5 comments about Modern Chess Openings, 15th Edition (Chess).

1. Death of a series? For about 100 years now MCO has been the best single volume English language opening reference book available. The 15th edition is the best of the line, combining both broad and deep coverage via a team of experts and computer error checking. Sadly, it looks like this year there will be no hard cover edition. Worse yet, one has to question the very existence of the MCO franchise. With World Champion strength computer software available for about $50, computerized Opening discs (Both general and specialized openings) appearing every year, not to mention massive on line data bases free on the Internet, I have to wonder how a printed book, updated about every 6 and 1/2 years, is going to survive? If there is an MCO 16, I predict it will be on disc (or downloadable) only. Are we seeing the last ever edition of MCO in printed form? I hope not. MCO has been more than a book to me during my 35 year tournament chess career, it's been a friend.



2. Spotted this in a book store, thumbed through it and decided not to buy-- the layout is in chart format with additional lines listed as a, b, c etc.
   Not easy to read or understand, and lots of white space on most pages, so I took a pass on this, will stick with my individual opening books. I find the chart format irritating and downright a lazy way of presenting the material. GIVE ME STRAIGHT LINES!
   I have a 2000 elo rating, and the problem with amateur chess is that children dominate the internet, cheating with their chess programs, and using fast time limits under 10 minutes per game. The better you are, the more time should be allowed to consider your moves. So kids have it backwards, thinking that their 1700 level deserves a fast 8 minute game, which imnpedes their progress towards improvement.
   This opening book is impossible to read due to its chart format, there was plenty of space to lay out the moves; I cant read this and wont invest the time it takes to decipher the codes.
   I have two dozen specialized advanced opening books and will stick with those. And to you children who think you have talent playing meaningless on-line chess at 10 minutes per game, there are better ways to spend your time unless you are the typical spoiled American with the media attitude that beauty is more important than intelligence, in which case modeling men's underwear should be your calling.
   All said, chess, that is professional chess has degenerated into a con artist scam game, just read Shirov's Fire on Board Part 2 published in 2005 to see what I mean, and how he got the shaft from the deplorable Kasparov, who has been caught cheating in the past by violating the touch move rule.



3. As advertised, this book is for the serious chess player at intermediate level and above. It contains extensive tables for all the main and most commonly played lines in openings played at higher level competition.
   
   The introductions for each opening are informative and interesting. It is easy (for advanced players) to then follow the tables to learn the main lines and the major variations of the openings. I'm sure that MCO will continue to be a great resource for intermediate and higher level players who need to have a reference book handy to look up an opening that is new to them, or to study a variation.
   
   A word of caution: This book may have very limited value for low level players, and virtually none for beginners. I think the back cover is very misleading, saying "Whether you are a beginner interested in learning the fundamentals, an intermediate player ready to elevate your game, or an International Grandmaster who wants to stay on top of all recent chess innovations..." That is completely dishonest. This book has NO instruction on rules of the game for beginners, zero information on basic strategy and tactics for novices, and very little analysis on why certain moves are better or worse than others. Do NOT buy this book for novices.
   
   And this book does not address openings commonly encountered at lower levels of competition. For example, there is no section on the Smith-Morra Gambit (I recommend Bob Ciaffone's bookSmith-Morra Gambit Finegold Defense), and nothing that I can find on the many-named opening 1.e4,e5 2.qh5!? which can terrorize less experienced players on the black side of the board. I'm sure there are many other openings common at lower levels of play that are not included here.
   
   There are also very few diagrams to go with the tables detailing the openings covered. Low to mid-level players must have a chess board set up and work through physically moving pieces on the board. It is just going to be tough slogging for anyone not very familiar with algebraic notation, or without the knowledge and experience that comes with playing
   many thousands of games.
   
   Finally, how can a book published every eight or ten years "reflect all the latest changes in the game, including recent tournament matches and important works on theory" as advertised. I doubt top level players will trust this book to have the latest theory, when they have access to information on line that is cutting edge.
   
   So for you 1300-2000 rated folks who need a handy reference book to look up opening lines, this is probably a great book for you. But for the beginners and lower-rated, player/buyer beware!



4. Regrettably, MCO 15 is not what it should be. First, like MCO 14, there are countless typographical errors. Experienced players will no doubt suffer through this, but the editors are the ones who should have suffered so that readers do not have to. Secondly, most of the material is in lifted from MCO 14. Mr. De Firmian has his favorite openings and updates those better, but for non-topical lines developments go unmentioned. Thirdly, in spite of the claim that variations have been checked by computers, I have found serval cases where computer evaluations refute those given. So while computers must have been involved in the production of the volume, it would be interesting to know what percentage of the lines were actually checked. For an author who is sensitive enough to never fail to use the he/she convention, perhaps more thought could have been given to the environmental impact that this book would have given its limited use. More could be said, but I think that this suffices for those who are looking to spend thier money wisely.



5. The review by Gina Kruml is right on. I had waited for years for the new edition....what a disappointment. The number of typographical errors is staggering. It's hard to find an opening free of typos. In a chessbook, this is particularly bad and I tend to fault De Firmian, the author. Doesn't he have any responsibility to read his own work? Kruml blames the editors, but I think Kruml is too kind.
   
   The book also does a poor job on providing the names of the more obscure openings. Although they may be covered, no names are attached and they are not indexed. How does this help the chess student? Blame the editors, but it seems as if De Firmian detached himself from any supervision. As for the number of he/she's puffing up the text (and slowing down the reader), well Kruml did nicely mention the environmental impact. This must be the fault of the knee-jerk editors.
   
   Of course any decent chessplayer has to buy this book...it's a classic. But it's so sad to see chess computers getting better and MCO editions getting worse.

1 comments about 3ds Max 2009 Bible.

1. This is a very resourceful book no matter if you are a beginner or have used Max for a long time, this book will help you learn the newest version of Max.

5 comments about Munchkin.

1. I never got into the D&D games. This game was a satire on that genre. If you aren't a fan of this world then this game is okay. With all the backstabbing which is part of the fun, this game can go on and on and on and on. Also, it really would not be fun to play with just two people. Need a larger crowd for it to be more enjoyable.



2. This is an easy, introduction to role-playing games. A game can be completed in a couple of hours, so it's not as completely time-consuming as true role-playing games. The monsters and weapons are hilarious.



3. A very fun game for a group who's willing to let their dork hair down.



4. I've never played Dungeons & Dragons (which this game is a satire on), but I am a huge fan of board games and card games. Munchkin is a great game for 3 or more people who don't mind being geeks for a few hours. The game combines a heavy dose of D&D satire, witty puns, pop culture, and mild adult humor. The object of the game is to outfit your character with an arsenal of unusual weapons, items, and abilities in order to slay monsters and gain levels. Your friends are doing the same, and you can benefit from both helping and hindering them. The rules can be a little daunting at first, but players pick it up quickly. Plus, all of the cards have explanations on them. With the exception of "The Need for Steed", the expansions add a great amount of variety to the cards without making the game longer or more complicated. "The Need for Steed" does add a small amount of complexity to the game, but does not make the game longer to play. Although playing with 2 players is technically possible, it is a very different experience and does not compare to playing with 3 or more players.



5. This is a great game. It takes a little bit to learn the rules, but it is well worth it. It is a great find.

5 comments about Blackjack For Blood: The Card-Counters' Bible, and Complete Winning Guide.

1. Blackjack For Blood is the best book on blackjack I have ever read -- and I have read just about all of them. According to all the experts, Carlson's Advanced Omega II System (included in the book) is much stronger than Hi-Lo or K-O, and I have found it surprisingly easy to master. It definitely gets the money; that's for sure. I also like the author's writing style. He explains things very well, and he intersperses the hardcore stuff with entertaining stories about his high-rolling experiences in various casinos around the world. All in all, a terrific book on how to beat casino blackjack. I highly recommend it.



2. The bind quality of this book is not up to standard, appon reading a couple of the pages just came loose.
   The content however is far more substantial and makes one a believer in his Omega II system.
   Not a especially easy system due to the necessity of the ace side count (not ace reconed) it is more powerful than most systems in simulations.



3. EXCELENTE LIBRO DE FACIL COMPRENSION PARA PERSONAS QUE NO HABLAN EL INGLES, EL ENVIO RAPIDO LLGA EN BUENAS CONDICIONES Y SIN PROBLEMA ALGUNO EN LA COIMPRA DESCAHO Y RECEPCION



4. As a book, this is a great read. Bryce highlights the Omega II count system, and also tells a great series of stories along the way. There are sections on cover, what to do when backed off a table, and alternative advantage methods.
   
   I don't know if this is the best system, from a pure card counting standpoint. It's a level 2, with an ace tracking component, which is a bit of brain work. On the other hand, if you are a serious blackjack player, this book is a great resource on many levels.



5. This book gives an excellent overview of the game of blackjack and an explanation of how to use a powerful counting system, including many index numbers. I've used this system for single-deck games for several years and, for someone who truly knows what they're doing (if you are at all uncertain as to whether or not you fit into this category, you are not in it) this book is literally worth its weight in gold. Make that platinum.
   
   Several of the reviews posted here may lead a person to believe that card counting is easy money. I would caution anyone that it is not as simple as reading a book on a flight to Vegas. Blackjack just doesn't work that way. There is a lot more to consistently beating the game than reading one book, or even ten books. Counting is the easy part, getting away with it in casinos over the long term is a whole different ball game.

5 comments about New York Post Fiendish Sudoku: The Official Utterly Addictive Number-Placing Puzzle.

1. This is the first Su Doku I've found that I cannnot do. Says it is intuitive, well, as far as I can tell it's just plain hard. I've not been able to finish one all the way with out a peek for at least 2 answers. Unless you are really into this and want to spend hours, do not waste your time or money.



2. Went through various books that were supposed to be hard, but they don't hold a candle to this book. While some books have a few puzzles that require a good deal of thought, all the puzzles in this book require a great deal of thought...
   
   If you are just starting out I would recommend one of his New York Post books. If you have a problem working 5 star puzzles online then this book may be a little much.... but if you want a real challenge this book is for you! And after you've worked one... you will feel the rush!
   
   Dear Mr. Gould, Can we have a second fiendish book? Please!



3. I purchased the book for my friend who easily completed puzzles categorized as difficult in booklets found at supermarkets and discount stores. There were never enough difficult puzzles to keep her busy or challenged so much of each booklet was useless. She is delighted with this sudoku booklet and while she can complete the puzzels it does take some time and provides an adequate challenge. She is happy and I am too! Well worth the price.



4. If you want challenge you should get this one. It's real fiendish! However, among the puzzles in the book there are some that are harder and some are a little easier... but still fiendish. I love it. I hope I will be able to find another one this good when I'm done with this one.



5. I have to admit that I do love Wayne Gould's puzzles, which is why I bought this book sight unseen. Being an addict of very difficult sudoku (or "Su Doku", as he calls them), I looked forward to his worst. This is written after solving the first half.
   
   Mr. Gould is of the solving school that thinks marking up the puzzle gets in the way of good solving. He challenges the solver to find his carefully hidden clues, all of which can be found without marking up -- if you have a better memory for numbers than I have. This is great fun, and I appreciate and enjoy the challenge. The downside is that for people who like REALLY hard (grid coloring, logic chains), these puzzles are not fiendishly hard.
   
   I highly recommend this book to those who are trying to learn how to solve very difficult puzzles that can be solved by traditional techniques. It is filled with interesting and varied puzzles, and you will find some much harder than others because they test different solving methods. For an advanced solver, it is certainly much more fun than the average book.