5 comments about The 99 Critical Shots in Pool: Everything You Need to Know to Learn and Master the Game (Other).

1. 
   While this book does deliver exactly what it promises in the way of content, there is a significant flaw in the illustrations, which are essential for a book of this type. The introduction explains that the object ball will be black and other balls will be grey. Unfortunately the reproduction of the grey balls is basically black.
   
   Under bright lighting and close examination you can see a slight difference, but it's much harder than it should be. Perhaps only this particular edition or run has this problem, but it significantly detracts from the readability. On the more complex shots it takes careful deduction to associate what you are reading to the illustration.



2. Excellent book. Easy to understand, plenty of diagrams. Sure to improve your game.



3. Practicing the shots in this book has helped my game tremendously. I'm learning so much more than these specific scenarios, I'm learning how the balls really work.
   That's added to my confidence in a big big way.
   I pulled off a 4 ball carom shot (i didn't even know what that was)
   and one of my buddies won't even play with me anymore.
   (Not really, he's close though.)



4. My pool table mechanic recommend this book to me. Originally written in the '70's, I purchased the 30th anniversary edition. I have been reading this book over and over and then applying new shots to my game. I have improved my shot making and position play significantly and I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a better understanding of the game. Would have been five stars but the book seems to lack strategies for defensive shotmaking.



5. I used to go to a pool hall and take this book with me. The book is well organized from easy shots to more difficult ones. I would start with the first shot and do it as the book described until I was able to do the shot 10 times in a row. Then I'd move on to the next shot. This worked extremely well. When I started out I spend most of my time on only a few shots. After a very short time I was on to using English and more complex arrangments. I had no idea how good a pool player I was becoming. After doing this once a week for one month I played a dozen games with some friends that always beat me. I won every game soundly.

1 comments about The New York Times Think Outside the Box Crosswords: 75 Specially Selected Witty, Wild Puzzles (New York Times Crossword Collections).

1. I bought 2 copies of this book - one for myself and one for my husband's grandmother. As much as she loves crossword puzzles, I won't be giving Gramma the copy I bought for her. It would drive her nuts.
   
   When I read the description of the book I really expected to see some Merl Reagle puzzles in it. He's my all time favorite. I haven't seen any of his puzzles so that disappointed me.
   
   It would have been very helpful if the puzzles contained a title. It would give some sort of direction. I hate looking at the answers but I find myself doing that over & over as I slog thru this book.
   
   Finally, the paper is not the smooth white that I would have liked to have seen. It's more like newsprint.
   
   I really regret this purchase.

5 comments about The Moscow Puzzles: 359 Mathematical Recreations (Math & Logic Puzzles).

1. Nice collection of problems which demand some creativity as well as varying degrees of mathematical prowess. Also populated with interesting anedotes regarding mathematicians throughout history.

   Although no mathematics beyond the high school level is required, the challenge lies in the ingenious application of even the most rudimentary math and logic necessary to successfully tackle these exercises. The problems range from rather simple to difficult. Some amount to raw logic riddles requiring little or no math while others offer the opportunity to fine tune one's skills in geometry and algebra. In addition to offering a rich variety of problems which will satisfy the needs of puzzlists at many levels, the editors have made a good point of dividing the problems into categories emphasizing different sets of skills including geometry, algebra, arithmetic operations, spatial visualization and logic. Such a delineation makes it easy evaluate strengths and weaknesses so you can focus on areas of improvement.

   Given the long history of this publication, several problems will be familiar to some seasoned puzzle enthusiasts but most will still provide a fresh challenge.




2. I was thrilled and surprised to see that this book is still in print. I loved puzzles as a child and spent many hours for fun working the problems in this book (which may have paved the way for my PhD in Computer Science). I fished out my old copy recently to show my 11 year old daughter how I spent my spare hours as a child - *not* playing computer games of dubious educational value. I am sure that working the problems in this book helped increase my problem solving skills - in a different and more general way than I was learning in school.
   
   Of all the puzzle books and puzzles I ever owned, this is the only one I saved. The book has a wide variety of types of puzzles (not all involve numbers). While some are easy, most were challenging. The descriptions were charming, with Russian names of children and towns and quaint puzzle descriptions involving wells, or steam engines or household objects. All in all, a delightful, very educational puzzle collection.



3. 
   Excellent collection of math puzzles not requiring advanced math - A book for anyone and everyone
   
   With and outstanding collection of 359 mathematical recreations and being lavishly illustrated with more than 400 diagrams and sketches, this book will certainly become a treasure in the personal library of anyone that enjoys solving puzzles.
   
   It's a mammoth puzzle collection, compare with most math teasers and puzzles book available. But what is important is not the quantity, but the quality and charm of the problems presented.
   
   The book is divided in fifteen chapters, as shown:
   - Amusing problems.
   - Difficult problems.
   - Geometry with matches.
   - Measure seven times before you cut.
   - Skill will find its application everywhere.
   - Dominoes and dice.
   - Properties of nine.
   - With algebra and without it.
   - Mathematics with almost no calculations.
   - Mathematical games and tricks.
   - Divisibility.
   - Cross sums and magic squares.
   - Numbers curious and serious.
   - Numbers ancient but eternally young.
   - Solutions.
   
   Everyone will find the type of problems the like most. Often the puzzles are presented in the form of charming stories that provides valuable insights into contemporary Russian life and customs.



4. despite of difficulty, I love it because there are various good problems
   Thanks you



5. I bought this book while working as a gifted children teacher. I liked it so much that I used to keep it in my car and solve riddles whenever I had to wait for someone. It is a great resource for all teachers; children are suddenly made quiet when you present a puzzle to them.
   
   I especially like the stick puzzles, where you can distribute a number of matches to students (by the way, it works with kids, teenagers and adults alike) and give them a puzzle. The advantage of this kind of puzzle is that you can give additional tasks to those fast-solvers; you do not have a story behind it.
   
   The organization of the book is excellent; it is divided by difficulty levels as well as by type of puzzle. For example, you have different levels of geometry problems and of sticks problems.
   
   Great book!

5 comments about The Legend of Zelda - Twilight Princess (GameCube Version) (Prima Authorized Game Guide).

1. I loved this guide bcause it has all the secrets that the nintendo guide doesn't have! like for example the hearts! This guide is very organized I Liked it!
   
   I have used the nintendo guides before and they're very hard to follow and they don't reveal the most important secrets! I don't like that!



2. I bought this because I have a girlfriend up state and a daughter across the country. When they are having problems with their webcams I am not. The automatic lighting and built in microphone make this plug and play very easy to use. The clipping mechanism could be improved on, but all in all worth the money.



3. 
   This was a gift and by buying it here i got it a lot Cheaper and its almost new.



4. I bought this guide with the game and thanks to this guide I am actually making it through the game. Its a great guide and is able to get you everything while not distracting you to much from your journey. I'd highly recommend it



5. I am having a hard time with this guide. Some of it is helpful but there are parts that just go on and on. I'm completely lost at this point and time with the game because I have no idea where to go and I can't see where I am in the book. I should have just paid extra for the Nintendo game guide!

4 comments about Speedsolving the Cube: Easy-to-Follow, Step-by-Step Instructions for Many Popular 3-D Puzzles.

1. I think this book is very well written. Dan Harris clearly knows his way around a Rubik's cube. My favorite part of the book was the section on the history of the cube and the stats.
   
   Even though the book is good, it is difficult to solve the cube without actually seeing someone do it. I learned how to solve the Rubik's cube from a YouTube video by Dan Brown. I think his YouTube user name is Pogobot.
   
   Brandon Simpson



2. I taught myself much of the methodology outlined in this book by scrounging around the Internet for various algorithms, etc. Dan Harris' website ([...]) was instrumental in teaching me how to plan ahead, and he's used his skills at creating written tutorials for a very hands-on hobby to write an excellent book.
   
   This book has several advantages over the way that most of us have had to learn our way around the cube. First, it's laid out in a linear fashion, so ideas are introduced to the reader in a very organized way, interspersed with lots of examples. Second, through the format of a published book, a comprehensive set of the many algorithms needed for a complete speedsolving solution are presented in a bound paper copy. This is perfect for someone who wants to carry the book and a cube in their backpack or messenger bag and keep notes about which algorithms are most comfortable, which have been committed to memory, etc. I bought this book specifically for Dan's great presentation of the last layer orientation algorithms, which I have yet to learn. Having all of the algorithms organized in such a thoughtful way, in a medium that I can easily carry with me is exactly what I've needed.
   
   Great work, Dan!



3. This book seems best suited to people who already know how to solve the cube and who would like to find out how to improve their solutions. In my case, I hit a wall with my homebrew solution at about 60 seconds. While 1 minute solves are nice, it's not impressive in a world where a 20 second solve is not terribly competitive. This book seems to have the solution for that. It's too early to claim success, but what I've worked through so far is very good.
   
   Would this book be suitable for a cubing novice? That's a tough call. The book does start from scratch teaching a basic solution, but I feel other resources online are a little clearer for the absolute beginner. However, a dedicated learner could work entirely from the book. Just keep in mind that pace is very quick, and the author doesn't do that much hand holding.
   
   Would this book be suitable for an experienced speed cuber? That's hard to say, since I'm not in that category. If you follow another solving system, the book should be a very easy introduction to the authors strategy. I suspect that no matter where you are, you'll get a few new algorithms and tricks. There's also the 2x2x2, 4x4x4 and 5x5x5 solutions, which ought to provide additional value to the hardcore cuber.
   
   This book is deceptively short. Although it weighs in at barely 160 pages, there's really a lot of content if you work through the material. It's taken a week to work through the first 50 pages, and that's just the intro material. I suspect it will be months, if not years, before I've even come close to exhausting what the book has to offer. In that regard, it's a tremendous value, and I can wholeheartedly recommend the book.



4. I had tried to learn the so-called "speed cubing" methods online and had been completely frustrated. Dan Harris lays it all out perfectly: it is very easy to follow and understand. That doesn't mean that the technique is all that easy to learn: with a massive amount of algorithms to memorize it will certainly be an undertaking of some months before you can claim complete mastery of the CFOP method.
   The sections on the 2x2, 4x4, and 5x5 cubes are also very easy to follow. There is one typo that I found in the 5x5 chapter. The algorithms in Table 8.3, p125 are wrong: they are written (R r) U (R' r') U (R r) (U2 u2) (R' r') (R r) and (R2 r2) U (R2 r2) U (R2 r2) (U2 u2) (R2 r2). I spent a frustrating 10 minutes trying to figure out why I couldn't complete the centers. I found that the correct algoritms are (R r) U (R' r') U (R r) U2 (R' r') and (R2 r2) U (R2 r2) U (R2 r2) U2 (R2 r2).
   At the end of the book there is also a chapter that has algorithms for all sorts of cool patterns that can be applied to an already finished cube.
   This is a great book and no true Rubik's fanatic should be without it!

5 comments about Commonly Used Conventions (ACBL Bridge).

1. Provides classroom text-like treatment of some of the more basic bridge bidding conventions. Covers Stayman, Jacoby transfers, Jacoby 2NT, Drury and some of the related conventions. Expands on the Club Series book (recently retitled "Bidding"), adding nuances and more modern treatments to opening bidding, responses, rebids and preemptive bids.
   The Audrey Grant series is used by bridge instructors everywhere as the basis for introductory bridge classes.
   Although I played a lot of "seat of the pants" bridge in the past, I've just begun playing duplicate nine months ago and have already earned over 50 ACBL masterpoints applying the principles covered in the Audrey Grant series.



2. I took the ACBL Commonly Used Conventions Course and was very impressed with this text. I think it helped me understand and use the conventions that I had an interest in using. Great help with weak twos, strong clubs, transfers, Stayman and several others that I now play. I would recommend this and the More Commonly Use Conventions Book for negative doubles and additonal conventions.



3. Without a doubt the most useful and readable bridge book I have used. What one learns by playing bridge with cronies is too often only partly right; Audrey Grant writes well, organizes her material in useful ways, and speaks with authority. She follows up with good examples, explains weaknesses in certain conventions, and is thorough. I will look forward to any other books she writes.



4. Audrey Grant's books - like Commonly Used Conventions - are exceptional. They are best used in a bridge class/training session where an instructor can lead and help the student through the the basics of bridge learning. The value of Audrey Grant's books are that they present a system of bridge which has revolutionized modern bridge. Even Bridge players who have played for years, soon learn that their conceptions, learned from past experience, of even the most commonly used conventions have been in error or misapplied. Recommend the reader try to find a local bridge class with an experienced teacher.



5. If you are new to bridge I highly recommend purchasing all four of Audrey Grant books in the ACBL Series... CLUB, DIAMOND, HEART AND SPADE. She is unquestionably the best bridge teacher for a novice. In layman's terms she is able to explain and unravel the mysteries of bridge. If you begin with the club book and progress through the series as they increase in difficulty... club, diamond, heart and spade you will be able to teach yourself how to become proficient in bridge painlessly. Her books are written in lesson formats... and they are used by many people who instruct bridge classes i.e. adult ed. Buy one... I'm sure you'll add the other three to your library. I also highly recommend her "Bridge at A Glance" pocket guide which is a quick synopsis of bidding and the appropriate respones thereof. I bought many bridge books before I stumbled upon Audrey Grant and wish I had found her books first! Good luck!

5 comments about Halloween: The Best of Martha Stewart Living.

1. I bought this book for Halloween decoration ideas and this book didn't fail to disappoint. Unfortunately being an apartment-dweller, this book is geared towards people lucky enough to have a nice, big old house in New England with requisite front porch, etc. The food section provides some great ideas that go beyond candy corn and Dum-Dums, that anyone can try. It was fun just looking through the book. For those that go all out for Halloween, this is something that would be a welcome addition to their holiday deco library.



2. Excellent ideas for Halloween decorating and parties....if you have the time. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time on my hands so I wasn't able to use the book for this past Halloween (2006). Hopefully, I'll have more time next year, or I'll start preparing ahead of time. The ideas are clever and original and I'd like to use them. The book is of great quality, thick paper. The photos and instructions are clear and not at all confusing.



3. I was hoping for sophisticated and stylish ideas for a halloween party. This was more like construction paper grade school crafts. I was very disapointed.



4. I ordered a lot of craft and cookbooks for halloween and this is one of my fave for sure!



5. I found this book at my local library a few years ago. I loved it so much, I kept it until finding it on Amazon. The book has fantastic colorful pictures that get you in the spirit of Halloween no matter what time of year it is. It has fun craft ideas, spooky recipes and costume ideas for all ages.
   
   Most of the crafts in this book are fairly easy for anyone to attempt,however you may find a few that require tools that you might not have unless you an avid Craftster.
   She has a large chapter on Pumpkin carving/decorating that has ideas for children and adults. The book has a great deal of very unique Halloween crafts that are sure to impress and spook your friends and family.
   
   As for the recipes,they aren't too difficult. I recommend "The Hot Spiced Concord - Grape Juice"(A new twist on spiced cider) "The Great Pumpkin Cake", "Ancient Eggs" and of course The Lady Finger's and Man toes. These recipes will be a hit at any Halloween gathering.
   
   I haven't tired out any of the makeup/costume ideas yet,however they look fantastic and not very difficult. She has included the best Mummy makeup I have ever seen, and only requires everyday kitchen ingredients.
   Even Martha appears as a few frightful characters with complete how to instructions (I had no idea she was the model in a few of the photos!)
   
   You don't have to be a fan of Martha Stewart to enjoy this book. Its filled with tons of ideas for all ages. I seriously recommend this book to anyone that enjoys DIY holiday decorating and of course the Halloween food is ...to die for! This book is worth every cent, It has been my go to Halloween craft book since 2004 and I have no intention of finding another (unless it's an update)
   
   Happy Haunting!

5 comments about The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Book in the World, Book 3 (Greatest Dot-To-Dot Book in the World).

1. This book is sooo much fun. If you love puzzles you will love this dot to dot book. I couldn't believe I had so much fun from a silly dot to dot book.



2. I hadn't done a dot to dot puzzle since I was a kid but got this book on a whim. I was pretty surprised! Some of the pictures are pretty intricate. On the other hand, a few are a little lame. But most are very cool. I've gone through all the "Greatest Dot-To-Dot book(s) in the World and they're worth it no matter what your age. Good for everyone, either sex. Really enjoyed all of them.



3. I am very pleased with all the dot-to-dot books that I ordered and will continue to use your website for ordering.



4. This is a great product for those who enjoyed doing Dot-to-Dots as a kid, but who want something a little more substantial than the typical offerings. The book has about 50 pages of great Dot-to-Dots, all of which consist of hundreds of dots. You can almost never tell what the picture is until you finish connecting the dots. I also recommend "The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Super Challenge" by the same author as well. That one has a few Dot-to-Dots with over 1000 dots per page!



5. I loved these as a kid now they are done for adults. I got them all and when I was laid up with foot surgery has fun with them. they varried by numbers. number sequences, symbols, letters, not for little kids..a big kid toy.

1 comments about Making Mathematics with Needlework: Ten Papers and Ten Projects.

1. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly co-edited by Sarah-Marie Belcastro (Co-Director, Hamshire College Summer Studies in mathematics and Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Smith College) and Carolyn Yackel (Mathematics Instructor, Mercer University), "Making Mathematics With Needlework: Ten Papers And Ten Projects" is unique in that it combines mathematics papers with fiber arts project instructions. Each chapter showcases a particular project and that project features sections on mathematics and mathematics education along with detailed instructions for completing the needlecraft project. The featured projects include a Quilted Mobius Band (making a mobius quilt); Diphantine Equations (making a bi-directional hat); Sierpinski Variatins (making a Sierpinski shawl); a Two Knit Stiches Tours; Symmetry Patterns in Cross-Stitch; Algebraic Structure (making algebraic socks); Fortunatus's Purse; (K)Not Cables and Braids (making a pillow of Braid Equivalence); The Graph Theory of Blackwork Embroidery (embroidering a Holbeinian Graph); and making Hyperbolic Pants. Profusely illustrated, the text is fully accessible to non-specialist general readers with an interest in needlecraft, in the mathematics underlying needlecraft, as well as having a very special attraction for math students and fiber art enthusiasts alike.

1 comments about Will Shortz Presents The Little Flip Book of Sudoku (Will Shortz Presents...).

1. I must say, this is the best sudoku book I've had yet, and I've had all kinds. It's like a writing paper tablet, and you tear the pages out after you've done the puzzle. They are all printed on one side with the solutions on the back. So easy after the tiring hold the book open experiences! Highly recommended along with his Little Black Book of Sudoku, spiral bound. Great paper, too! Works well with gel pens. Please get these books, you won't be disappointed!