2 comments about Travia: The Ultimate Book of Travel Trivia.

1. Smart and fun, this eye-opening book has some enlightening facts and figures that surprised even this avid collector of trivia. Examples range from the amazing--e.g.,"The InterContinental Hotel Hong Kong is the only hotel to be built entirely over water. It sits on stilts over Victoria Harbour," to the bizarre: "The Sultan of Johore built Malaysia's first railway in 1869, but the rails were made of wood and were soon eaten by ants." A fast and fun read, Nadine Godwin's "Travia: The Ultimate Book of Travel Trivia" is a delightful resource to share with friends.



2. If you have any interest in travel and trivia, this book is amazing. I don't know how anyone can find that many unique facts. She must look under rocks or something. But I do find it interesting and a conversation piece. Very well done. It's obvious she knows travel and likes to write about it.

5 comments about Forcing Chess Moves: The Key to Better Calculation.

1. I have a lot of books on tactics, but none of them explains how I need to look at positions to be able to find all those great moves. After reading Forcing Chess Moves, I finally feel like I can find combinations over the board and not just in a book!
   
   There are tons of cool positions and a lot of useful quizzes throughout the book. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their tactical ability.



2. This is an interim review as I'm less than half way through the book but really loving it. The aim of the book is to overcome human bias in ruling out outrageous 'computer' moves that might lead to an instant win or gain of material. I suppose I am as guilty as the next person of playing automatic recaptures and rejecting sacrificial continuations that appear to peter out. However in my case, the main reason is that I am a lazy analyser.
   The reason I like this book so much is the clarity and helpfulness of the analysis. Each of the over 600 positions in the book is shown with a white or black square next to it indicating who is to move. Hertan then gives the main line of the solution. He also explains why plausible options don't work and gives all the reasonable alternative lines. And he does this all in a very concise way.
   The way I am using the book is as to improve my analysis skills. I study each diagram with the solution that follows it covered up. Then I compare my analysis with Hertan's to see what important lines I missed, or where I gave up on a line too soon.
   This is definitely not a beginner's book on tactics. It assumes you know basic tactics likes pins, forks and back rank mate combinations. As a puzzle book, the positions are more difficult than Reinfeld's 1001 books but not too much harder. The real differentiator for me is the quality of the explanations.



3. I used to think I was pretty good at tactics and calculating variations..until I got this book. I've come to see that I have a biased "play it safe" mode that keeps me from seeing the dynamic potential in alot of positions. And I am terrible at calculating with precision. As the author says, close enough is not good enough...you must strive for precision. This book is helping me in each of those areas. The examples are HARD. Usually when you get a book on tactics the first few chapters are a breeze. Not so here. These are advanced, difficult problems, that have FORCED me to go where I haven't gone before: 1) looking for and analyzing moves I wouldn't even have considered before 2) calculating with precision. It's like having a personal chess coach in alot of ways. I also like that there are typically a number of examples of one theme (ie. corridor mate..back rank..etc) grouped together to help you in pattern matching for your own games.
   
   Overall a terrific book! Whenever you find a book that helps identify and remedy a serious area of chess weakness it is well worth the money!



4. I've got plenty of tactics books, even tactical programs like ct-art (which is awesome btw). But there is something magical about this book! The tactics are so rich and vibrant and truely do change the way you look at positions. You'll find after going through about 50 of these puzzles (out of 650 I think) that you are yourself looking at the board differently. Also this book is thick for a modern day chess book less than 20 bucks, I was shocked to get this book in my hands and discover how the publishing company didnt "cheap out" on the size or text like they were going out of business... Buy this book, you wont regret it...



5. I'm a big fan of studying tactics to improve at chess, and I have a large collection of books on the subject. This is a very well written book on tactics, and is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Good layout, large diagrams, and the fonts and printing are excellant. This challenging book contains 650 fresh and very exciting tactical positions divided into examples and exercises. My only possible critism is that it could use even more exercises, but I keep a note card in the book to cover the answers to the examples and I use them as exercises also. This may not be the best for a beginners first book on tactics, but it is outstanding for intermediate players looking to improve. It is defintely on my deserted island must have list.

5 comments about Brothers in Arms (Dragonlance: Raistlin Chronicles, Book 2).

1. This is the one series of books, that I never tire of. If a book has to do with Raistlin, the mage, or anyone related, I have read or ordered that book and I have never been dissapinted. The story tells well through all the continuing sagas. Thank you Margaret Weis and thank you Tracy Hickman. You are the epitamy of style, magic and entertainment.
   Toni from Petaluma, Ca



2. If you are intrigued by Raistlin and want to know his detailed story, starting at age 6, this book, along with Book 1, are the books to get. All of the questions I had about him, and even some I didn't know I had, were explained.



3. My son loves these books so as he read it in a couple of days must be good.



4. Awesome Dragonlance novel :)
   
   This novel tells the story of how Raistlin and Caramon became mercenaries after Raistlin has taken the test of magic.
   
   This is every bit as good as The Soulforge (Dragonlance: The Raistlin Chronicles, Book 1). And definetly lives up to the Dragonlance standard.
   Only downside is that it only spans over around one year out of the five years the companions are separated before the Chronicles series, therefore, it does not say anything about what happenes to the twins during the remaining four years. Yet, if the story had to span over all the five years, it would have been a VERY long book :)
   
   Definetly worth reading if you demand to know more about Raistlin and Caramon :)



5. For those of you familiar with the Dragonlance universe, I have to say this is a very different book from The Soulforge (which precedes this volume). This book starts out quite slow, but once it gets going is quite entertaining. It is interesting to speculate about what role Don Perrin played in this book given The Soulforge was completely his wife's work (Margaret Weis). The book generally aims to stay consistent with the other texts in the series and does not "offend" key plot points for what comes later.
   
   Another interesting aspect of this work is the development (furthered in Dragons of the Highlord Skies) of Kitiara. A character I always felt was quite narrow in the original trilogy (chronocles) is fleshed out considerably in these two volumes, and I 'almost' find myself liking her. It appears that a reasonable amount of military study has gone into preparing this book (at least at an elementary level) as it skips the deux au machina of the magic spell to end every conflict (which seemed to be evident in some more recent Dragonlance novels).
   
   This book is not deep and is a good actioner. Enjoy it for what it is, but don't expect the same degree of introspection as with The Soulforge.

3 comments about Battlefield: Bad Company: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. After purchasing and loving the Shadowrun Prima guide, I was expecting the same great guide for Battlefield: Bad Company. However, I was very disappointed.
   
   The pages are not nice and glossy paperstock. They are thinner and feel more like a newspaper feels.
   
   There is way too much focus on single player. Over 100 pages are dedicated to the single player campaign. Only 10 pages about Multiplayer. There are top-down diagrams for single player maps, but none for multiplayer maps.
   
   After the in-depth treatment Prima gave to Shadowrun, I thought they would do the same for BF:BC. They did not.



2. 
   I agree with other review. Feels really cheap and quickly put together. The pictures are really small and the paper is cheap. I wanted to pick this up to get a good review of the multiplayer maps but there aren't any layouts like in the RB6 or the COD4 guide. They actually covered each map on just one page. They give you 1 by 1 inch pictures of a house or base and what can you do with it. There is not a reference point to match it to on a map. For two of the maps they had so little to say they fit both on one page.
   
   I looked at this in the store and decided to skip it.



3. This book was a disappointment and is very incomplete.
   
   Multiplayer problems:
   As stated earlier, no top views of the maps and a very limited look into the multiplayer area. Most of the info is from the videos included in the "Gold Edition" of the game.
   
   Stats:
   The weapon descriptions are the general rant with little info in how they perform in the game. The numbers do not include the handling stats and they do not have a table for easy comparison to help you choose what weapon is best. The specialist weapons have little info on how to use them correctly, especially the Snipers goggles witch I am still having problems with.
   
   Single player:
   The majority of this book is centered on the single player campaign. This is set up with short paragraphs scattered on a page to follow along the way the writers played the game. This largest disappointment with this is if you try to read and go you will miss some vital info. One example is I started a tough battle and then read I should have picked up the mortar designator two objectives previously which was not mentioned in the explanation that was two pages previously.
   
   This guide is similar to the layout of the Kameo guide. Which also blew? The problem with Prima guides is it seems to be a crap shoot. Half of the time the guides are well laid out and helpful. The other times they aren't. This is the only guide out there and it does have some info to help complete the game and find the collectables and such in the single player. It also included the point values for actions in the multiplayer.

5 comments about Player's Handbook II (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying).

1. When I originally heard about this book, I was worried. I thought about how poorly they made Dungeon Master's Guide 2. However, this book turned out great! They added some great new classes and prestige classes. They really add to the game.
   
   One thing that's really nice is that it's not needed, but it just adds a couple new dimensions to the game.
   
   I will admit that I'm a sucker for more options and variant rules, so you should check this book out before you buy it. You might not think some of the additions are worth it.



2. This book is a very nice complement for creating your D&D character, specially for the new feats.



3. Much like the dungeon masters guide 2, the Players Handbook 2 (in my opinion) should've been produced first. The manual covers all kinds of logical ways for beginners to create wonderful characters and is an excellent buy for anyone who is interested in a good read along with learning the 3.5 system. Again, it's my feeling that Wizards was under pressure to publish a manual addressing game mechanics & rules right away to allow for a product to be on the shelf. The Players Handbook 2 for sure picks up for what was lost in the first manual and also contains a few more rulings (more like house rule introductions). Well worth the money and well worth the read. For any one who's never played D&D before, they should read the PHB2 first and have the first manual on hand for reference and cross comparisons.



4. The 4th edition of D&D is out in 2008... that'll make these books officially obsolete... I see no need to buy this book now.. if anyone you wanna play with already has this.. they'll lend it to you.. expecially if you agree to be the one in the group that gets a 4th edition book...



5. Our group continues to find uses for the material in this book. Our parties Ftr loves it (as would be obvious to anyone that reviews the feats in here), and the DM is constantly using the classes and spells in here.
   
   The new starting packages for old classes is good stuff too. Only a few easily corrected balance problems.
   
   Good stuff.

5 comments about Hoyle's Rules of Games, Third Revised and Updated Edition.

1. I first bought this book about 20 years ago. It is an excellent reference especially now that our children are of age to play advanced card games. I was looking for some new games to learn several years ago, and discovered what has become one of our favorites, Oh Hell. This book is essential if you play cards. Also included is good reference for various board games such as chess, checkers, backgammon, and some fun games for young kids.



2. Very Informative on many games. Good refresher for those that need a review of games we used to play but can't remember the complete rules.



3. Hoyle's Rules of Games, Third Revised and Updated Edition
   
   There are easier to understand and more up-to-date descriptions of gameplay for most of the more popular games on the internet. The book is particularly weak on diagrams, which simplify understanding of many of the games tremendously. I would consider this book to be useful as supplementary information only; it would not be my first choice for learning a new game from scratch.



4. Book is NOT user friendly, did not help me learn the game of Hearts...book is written to those that already know more than I do and my friend agreed.



5. This book has come in handy many a card game night when rules are questioned. Great reference, the best I've found, very complete.

5 comments about What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. Second Edition: Revised and Updated Edition.

1. Not sure why the author who does make some good points, couldn't find a way to express those without trying to sound important. The writing style got between his message (which was interesting) and his delivery. I finished it, got some value, but in comparison to other authors, this was a letdown.



2. Great book and delightful read. If you are a teacher or work in education to help direct new initiatives with technology and learning, you should read this.



3. First of all, this book is not written as a general public book, it is written much more in the vein of a college graduate's analysis. Heavy discussion of the effects of video games on the semiotic domain underpin the analysis. That being said, this book is a good analysis of the effects of video games on those that play them.
   
   If you want a general public analysis of the effects of entertainment (and video games) on people, check out Steven Johnson's "Everything Bad is Good For You." This book is a deeper analysis of part of Steven Johnson's book, so it might be best as a follow-up purchase.
   
   My biggest complaint about James Paul Gee's book is more with the copy editor and publisher. There are so many poorly written or incorrectly written sentences that should have been caught and corrected. It really affects the perceptions about the book's research.



4. I'd always sort of believed the "video games are a waste of time" thing just because I'd heard it so much. This book is good but I couldn't understand all the technical stuff but I think I got the just of it. I actually had to write a persuasive essay on the HSPA (High School Profficiancy Assessment) agreeing or disagreeing with the hypothetical decision of some kind of governmental authority (I forget which one, congress maybe?) to ban all noneducational video games. I'd read the first few pages of the book and it helped. Now I regret ever believing that waste of time stuff.



5. Gee's background in linguistics and current interests in education inform this discussion of video games, as he clearly outlines over thirty good learning principles that teachers can glean from the practice of gaming and apply to their classrooms. Gee's book should be commended for its detailed analysis of particular games--too often, theorists discussing games tend to shy away from minute description of their own interactions with games and go straight for lessons learned or abstract ideas garnered from gameplay. Gee also has a talent for talking openly and humorously about his development from non-gaming baby boomer to avid but still sometimes inept gamer.
   
   If you're already convinced that video games are cultural objects worthy of study, Gee will only confirm your opinion. However, if you look at the book's title and can't contain a derisive snort, give Gee a chance. According to Gee, good video games (and yes, not all video games are good) model active, participatory, and embodied learning, a kind of learning often scarce in traditional school curricula. Good games demonstrate the effectiveness of pattern recognition over rule-based or rote learning, and they encourage players to reflect at a meta level not only about their own identity but also their practices, often via the formation of affinity groups both within and outside of the game world. At their best, gamers become producers, creatively "modding" their own gaming experiences and sharing information with others who take play seriously.

5 comments about 101 Drama Games for Children: Fun and Learning with Acting and Make-Believe (SmartFun Activity Books).

1. You will use this book over and over. I teach gifted upper elementary and middle school drama students. This book is one of my favorites - it is likely to be one of yours too.



2. While not directly about "Drama", this book offers great games to get children thinking fast and exercising their creative muscles. I am having a lot of fun using it in an introductory drama class for 1st to 3rd grade chilren. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for ideas to use creative play groups more than for teaching specific dramatic techniques. It's about the fun of imagination!



3. I teach a summer drama class for grades 1-6, and it has a lot of really great games for all of the age groups, I do however wish there were a few more for the younger groups, but many can be adapted.



4. This book focuses a lot on the younger crowd, but can be enjoyed by students of any age! I'm an elementary drama teacher. Great buy!



5. I have been an acting teacher for nine years and an co-author of my own acting book "Finally..Monologues That Work" and the one thing children love the most in class is the games! Games and more games. They can't get enough. 101 Drama Games For Children gives us variety. It is a great source for teachers who teach acting or in the classroom. It keeps the children interested, helps them learn and they have so much fun. Who could ask for more.

5 comments about Birthright (Diablo: The Sin War, Book 1).

1. I enjoyed this book. The story unfolds slowly at first but shorty after gets into the twist, turns, and mysteries of the triology. A few things about the Diablo universe are explained but many questions readers may have are not answered fully. The book ends well as it leads into the next book of the series.



2. I personally found this story not to be as exiting as other books Knakk has written however it is a fun journey.
   
   The story is very slow to unfold thus creating a small boredom factor in certain parts of the book. However as you near the middle of the book you are forced to read on as the twists and turns within the story lines leave many questions unanswered which is always something to look forward to.
   
   I will read the other books in this series as i want these unfull filled questions to finally have an answer. great travel book but by far not the best ive read.
   
   3/5



3. Richard Knaak is making a new game exclusively for the wii called "Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire". I cant wait.



4. this is a awesome history, it is just as good as i imagined.for sure i will buy the other books to see what hapens.



5. Based on the Diablo games by Blizzard Software, the Sin War is a lead up to the events in the games that takes place thousands of years ago.
   New comers to the Diablo universe wont find understanding the characters difficult since characters from the games are introduced with introductions expertly woven into the story so as to be enjoyable for all.
   
   To me this story is very enjoyable due to the fact the story is a journey of discovery for the central character as much as it is for the audience with enemies and close friendships formed throughout the story (as well as the trilogy). A masterpiece from the master story writer Richard A. Knaak has crafted a classic tale, in which a young man must rise to the challenges of life to overcome the greatest adversaries and save the world from utter destruction.

5 comments about Self-Working Table Magic: 97 Foolproof Tricks with Everyday Objects.

1. Many beginners to magic (and others who should know better) are of the opinion that a magic effect has to be difficult in order to be worthwhile. While there are many killer effects that take months or years of practice, there are equally wonderful tricks that rely on psychology, subtlety, and/or advance preparation. The Self Working series of books are a treasure trove of great magic. This book is no exception. Many of the included tricks are used by successful professional magicians. Admittedly, these are best used in a program with other, more elaborate tricks, but for those moments in your act where you need a short, sweet effect, something in this book might just fill the bill. And as you get more proficient in magic you will find ways to further embellish these tricks and make them your own private miracles.



2. i think that this is a great book and it rocks my socks



3. Karl Fulves has been putting out these kinds of books for what seems like an eternity. They are good books for kids and even a skilled performer can pull some good material from these books.
   [...]



4. I purchased this book thinking that it would be a good beginning magic book for a group of middle schoolers interested in learning magic tricks. It seems that even though the objects are everyday, the tricks are not. This is a great book if you are willing to do the practice to master the tricks, but if you are looking for a quick trick, then keep looking.



5. This book is amusing but not spectacular, I would go for the street magic, Mindfreak and blaine books for something more espectacular. Decent for beginers.