5 comments about Player's Handbook: Core Rulebook I (Dungeons & Dragons, Edition 3.5).

1. The revised 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game was one of Wizards of the Coast's least popular moves. It's not because the revision failed to improve the system, but rather because it was released less than three years from the original 3rd edition (or 3.0) core books. It was seen as a blatant money grab by Wizards of the Coast, and as such angered a lot of the D&D community.
   
   That said, the revised 3rd edition is a definite improvement. It cleans up a lot of minor problems with the original release, and most of the changes it makes are for the better. Rangers are no longer the poor cousins to other warrior classes. Spells have been cleaned up. Skills have been streamlined, and animal companions now level up with their master. All in all, the game is improved -- not to the same level as moving from 2nd edition to 3rd edition did, since that would require the release of an entirely new edition, but the improvements are there and plain to see.
   
   Unfortunately, the product here suffers a little in the same way that the original 3rd edition books did. Namely, the text isn't terribly accessible to new players. The ability scores chapter, for example, gives a comparison of ability scores to monsters that include gelatinous cubes, mummies, and wyvrens. However, they provide no description of said monsters, leaving someone who hasn't played the game before in the dark. Similarly, some of the rules are poorly laid out -- the Hide skill, for example, is kept very separated from the Spot skill, despite the two being very linked. The best way to get into the game remains to find someone who knows how to play already; the rules are useful for reference, but not great as an introduction.
   
   Overall, if you're even passingly familiar with the D&D game, this book is a very useful update of the 3rd edition. The rules are cleaned up enough to be useful, but aren't so dramatically changed that you should feel compelled to update if you are partial to the older version. However, the D&D game remains one of the very best role-playing games on the market, and this new revision only serves to enhance that fact.



2. Being a new book, the price was great. I saved money over buying it in the store. Even after the shipping, which was well handled, I had this book in just a few days, and now I am using this book every day.
   
   As for the item itself, if you have an interest in D&D you must get this book. It is a must for any D&D player. And on top of the endless supply of information this book provides, it also has great art to go with it. I found this book in itself fun.



3. I recently bought this product for use playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends. The book is extremely well-written and even though D&D can become very immersed in technical rules at times, the book does an excellent job of explaining everything from creating your first character (and his/her background, characteristics, physical features, etc) to an entire list of spells and their descriptions. Updated for play using version 3.5 rules, so you'll be up-to-date with everything new. The book is littered with colorful and well-done drawings of the material which ranges from visual depictions of weapons and armors to individual races and classes.
   Whether you're new to the game or an experienced veteran looking for the basics, the Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook is an excellent choice to get into the game.



4. Dungeons and Dragons is still the best and most popular table top role-playing game on the market today. My only complaint about this book and the game in general is the sheer volume of companion books you have to get in order to play the game. It'd be nice for them to break down one day and make a good all-in-one product for a change.



5. Really it doesn't need reviews by me, there are plenty. If you're ordering it you've probably already held one and you know what it does and what is in it.
   All I can really say is that Amazon shipped it out fast, UPS (or who ever delivered it) got it here in 2 days, regular shipping, and it was in perfect condition.

5 comments about Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master.

1. What a super book. I wish I had spent time on the end game earlier in my chess playing life. This book is organized by one's level and takes you through essential end game ideas. I think it is essential reading no matter what your level. Not only is it highly instructive, but its also a lot of fun.



2. Lots
   
   Of
   
   Empty
   
   
   Space
   
   
   Makes the book seem like it has more to offer than it does.
   
   
   Maybe good for extreme beginners, with diminishing returns as one moves up the strength scale, as errors in analysis become more frequent.
   
   
   Silman is not a Grandmaster and overuse of his own games against lessor foes may make for lucid examples of endgame techniques, but is a drwaback from both the megalomaniacal perspective and lack of really strong pratical endgames.
   
   A lot of repetition, and much less info than a book this size should hold.
   
   
   Literally.



3. the best endgame book I have seen, easy to understand and
   divided as to your skill, also easy to remember , Silman is great teacher.



4. This book is one of the best I've read until now. It is really a pleasure to read it for hours and hours.



5. I bought this book for a specific purpose: to learn more about drawing Rook vs Rook + pawn endings. I've been working through Convekta's Chess Endgame Training and have found that many exercises end in a position declared a draw but that would still leave me nervous as the weaker side. One strong player told me that every Russian schoolboy know those drawn positions. Oh, to be a Russian schoolboy.
   
   IM Silman's book does indeed address these positions in some detail. Initially, I was not able to find the information, having relied on a quick scan and a look in the index, which has no entry for 'draw'. I sent IM Silman's an email asking why such important information had been omitted. I was surprised to receive a warm and helpful email in reply that explained that, in the spriit of the book itself, infromation about R vs R + P endings was introduced in stages throughout the book. He also mentioned Emms book on rook endings which contains the same material but compacted into one place over 13 pages.
   
   I prefer IM Silman's treatment because ultimately the collected pieces form a more thorough whole.
   
   Overall, the book is a treasure. I don't know of another work that is so accessible, yet complete. Previously I had to make due with the interesting but error-ridden Endgame Course by Pandolfini. One thing I do like about Pandolfini's book is the catchy names he applies to endgame techniques and positions. IM Silman also uses that mneumonic technique but to a lesser extent.
   
   I had also previously relied on Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual. That is a superb reference book but not friendly to someone learning the ropes. For example, Dvoretsky has a page on corresponding squares. It became clear that I was not comprehending the nuances of what he was saying. I tried and tried. In the end I bought Müller and Lamprecht's Secrets of Pawn Endings which covered the same concept but over the course of a dozen pages. Then I got it. I think.
   
   IM Silman's book, on the other hand, is designed so that there are no unresolved mysteries at each stage. Its a nice concept and well done.
   
   The only thing that keeps me from giving the book a full five stars is the single-column format. The book is beautifully laid out and with generous diagrams but I remain convinced the a two column layout is superior.

5 comments about Final Fantasy X Official Strategy Guide.

1. It would be impossible to accomplish all of things you can accomplish in this game without some help. There are simply too many secret places, special weapons, hidden aeons, etc. than one person could unlock on their own. The book is easy to use, easy to understand, and put together in a helpful, comprehensive manner. You will enjoy this game even more with this valuable resource.



2. There is no getting lost in the game with this by your side. You'll always know what you need to do next.



3. Helped in some complicated situation, very good quality for a book, in color,i received it very quickly with the other final fantasy book that i had ordered. very good product



4. This guide works great for me. Easy to find the more obscure quests and items.



5. The item is exactly as described. It shows everthing needed to beat the game easily. Great on showing all bonus features too.

3 comments about Everything Word Search Book: Over 250 Puzzles to Keep You Entertained for Hours! (Everything Series).

1. This book was exactly what the description said it would be, hours of entertainment, with a good variety of puzzles.



2. This is a great puzzle book, I am having a great time doing the puzzles, I'd recommend it to anyone who likes word searches.



3. I bought 3 books from Amazon under the impression it was a series of book I received 3 books for $40.00 plus never again Dollar tree has same type books for 1.00 a piece

No comments about Dungeons & Dragons Character Record Sheets: Roleplaying Game Character Sheets, 4th Edition.

5 comments about Sudoku: Medium to Hard.

1. A well-bound, compact document; very well organized and easy to use; made to carry and use where space is limited. An excellent choice for serious Sudoku gamers.



2. This item is great because it's hardback and has spiral rings which makes it easy to flip over and use. The paperback sudoku's were ripping too easy. I recommend this to anyone.



3. I buy these for my husband but so many are much too easy. This one gave him a challenge and the book itself is nice to travel with- harder writing surface.



4. the book is too tiny for me to use. It would fit in a pocket, but there's no room to fill in possibilities, so it's not useful for the way I solve Sudoku.



5. I'm a beginner Sudoku player, but this little book is a good one. It is small and handy with the spiral spine. I also like that the answers are there, it keeps me interested in continuing when I am stumped on a puzzle. Good value & great fun.

1 comments about Exalted Abyssals (Exalted Second Edition).

1. Exalted Abyssals is a well written book with a good deal of wit. It is clear from the beginning that White Wolf wanted to make these characters more playable, so their moral ambiguity is certainly played up. The text itself is set up much like the past books in this series, giving an intro to the history and world of the Abyssal, followed by a character generation chapter and then one explaining the traits in more detail, a chapter on new Abyssal charms, a chapter on Necromancy and technology ("necrology"), and finally a Storyteller's chapter.
   
   The general information this book yields is useful. Granted much of this is either rehashing what was already discussed in the Second Edition base book or further explanations, the Neverborn are better explained as is the Underworld. I would have liked to have seen a new map of the Underworld included in this book as it was in First Edition, or even a map of where the Deathlords' lands are. Such things exist on-line, though that is not always an acceptable option in the middle of a game.
   
   The artwork is up to Exalted standards, and the comics have a very dark humor to them. As my friends and I pealed through the pages, we found ourselves chuckling on a regular basis at some of the more disturbed bits of evil. Make no mistake that this book is dark, and should have come from the Black Dog press at White Wolf. Brief nudity is in this book, though only a minor amount (no more than in the core book). The blackness of the book is pretty intense, which can become training on the eyes. Everything is black and dark gray, so you will occasionally have to squint to see what you are reading or to fully see what is in the picture.
   
   If you have a gamer who tries to pull Mr Welsh style stunts in your games, do not give them access to this book. It is full of devilish ideas that, while funny, are fairly asinine. That is a major feeling one gets from this game.
   
   Gripes about the book are pretty small. In general, the Abyssal Exalted seem pretty confining to play. When reading the Dusk caste, for example, the author all but shoves down your throat that you are an uncontrollable psychopath who must kill every living thing she sees. Exalted has usually been good about not making those kinds of comments limiting play-style, so it was a little disappointing to read. It felt like they were sucking some of the fun from the character creation process. Aside from little problems such as that, the book fits in well with the rest of the game. Again, it is not that suggestions are not good for character concepts, but telling the player they must strictly play this did not seem right.
   
   In the end, this book is incredibly useful for both ST and player, though for most games this will likely become a book for generating NPCs rather than something characters will make a regular use of. That is, of course, you are playing a rare Abyssals game. Get the book. Read the book. It at least has pretty pictures.

5 comments about The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence.

1. This is one of the best books I have ever read! It is fascinating and thrilling and powerful! Highly recommended!



2. Waitzkin has so much to offer the rest of us in his rare ability, coupled with genuine desire and earthy enthusiasm, to disassemble the learning process -- as applied to both chess and Tai Chi at their highest levels --and then disseminate it. So much so that I believe this book is, unfortunately, about 10 years premature. I think he's not yet done unraveling How We Learn, and will have more revelations before he's through which will beg similar synthesization and impartment.
   
   Essentially, I think the book, as good at times as it was, missed the mark because 1) it was premature -- he is still growing as a writer and philosophical thinker (although already much better than the vast majority of us) 2) it was not well edited. It was too many things, mixed too much together.
   
   I think a 'revised & expanded' version of this book in a decade or so could be truly seminal. The raw material is already there, but too buried. He also needs some background in Education so he can bring that into his discussion. E.g. some of the things he talks about, such as integrating technical information until it becomes natural intelligence, there are already terms for such as 'scaffolding,' 'automaticity.' He is not inventing the wheel, but adding richness and layers, through his singular expertises, to what is already known.



3. A friend recommend this book.
   
   I asked why. He said "just get it"
   
   Just what I need, another book on how to learn.
   
   But wait. It's so much more. I got sucked in to the story of a kid playing chess and switching to martial arts.. weird combo.
   
   Then the secrets comes through. Doesn't matter which sport you play, what game to conquer, EVERY skill can be mastered better when you look at it this way.
   
   Did I explain this well? Maybe not.. Take my friend's advice..just get the book



4. i bought this book in may of 2007, and intended to write a review. I've been bashing my head trying to figure out how i can explain how much of an impact this book has been in my life. What i can say is that this book was written for all the right reasons.The author is not out to make a quick buck, this book is a revelation from a student of learning who has put these tools to work in high pressure moments from the last round of a chess tournament and the training before,to dealing with dirty refs in martial arts
   It does not tell you what the path is but gives you the tools to make your own way. This wonderful book is not a mold for you to put your self in, but a guide, a priceless tool that aids you in your walk toward wherever your heart leads. i have been a victim of the New York City school system. i was told that i have a problem learning because i did not do well on the city wide tests, and the label has stayed
   with me until my last days in high school when i dropped out. we don't have to label others anymore this book can help them find their own way to learn and fuel the pursuit of happiness. i have faith that this book has already changed so many lives because i am one of them and you can be too



5. .
   
   ...what happened to the kid from `Bobby Fischer', now I know.
   
   This is nice mix of self-help learning techniques and autobiography. I liked it.

5 comments about The New York Times Supersized Book of Sunday Crosswords: 500 Puzzles (New York Times Crossword Puzzles).

1. For anyone who enjoys the Sunday New York Times Crosswords, this it the ultimate. The size if the book creates a bit of a challenge if you do the crosswords anywhere but a table top - so I simply cut out several pages at a time providing the opportunity to do them anywhere.
   
   With the size of this book, I may just order a second later on and start all over - by that time I will have forgotten the clues and answers.



2. This volume collects 500 New York Times Sunday crossword puzzles that were originally published between 1983 and 1998. This span covers the editorships of the late Eugena Maleska and his successor Will Shortz. This book collects about two-thirds of the Sunday crosswords originally published in those 15 years. One puzzle appears on each page and all answers are in the back. I can't determine if the puzzles are presented in chronological order.
   Travelers will probably want a smaller book for a plane ride but there are already numerous crossword collections for such purposes. This book is strongly recommended for anyone who enjoys doing puzzles at home, offering a tremendous number of good puzzles for the price. It seems that a solver must be either bedridden or incarcerated to complete all 500 puzzles anytime soon.



3. This huge book contains 500 Sunday Times crossword puzzles from the Shortz and Maleska eras, but most of them are from the wittier Shortz group. And think of it: this contains ten years worth of Sunday New York Times crossword puzzles! Ought to take you at least a couple of weeks to finish, right?
   
   The book is well-made, with good quality paper -- much better than the slick glossy Times Sunday magazine paper that doesn't take pencil or ink marks very well -- and for those like me who tear the pages out and then use a clipboard, they tear out easily with no ragged edges.
   
   As for the puzzles, well -- is there anyone, anywhere who makes better big Sunday-style puzzles? I've done puzzles from papers all over the USA and the Times are easily the most fun and most challenging to work.
   
   Consider the price: less than three cents per puzzle. Can't beat that.
   
   Heartily recommended to puzzle fanatics and casual solvers alike.
   
   Scott Morrison



4. Not for the average crossworder! Difficult puzzles for the most part and print is very small. Paper quality is good and so was the price but if they are too difficult to solve....more frustration than fun.



5. As you age your mind also needs exercising. Crossword Puzzles are an excellent way of doing this. Research has shown that crossword puzzles are instrumental in warding off forgetfullness and even Alzheimers disease. Your mind is actually more important than your body and it can change your attitude to physical problems and overcome them.

5 comments about No Limit Hold 'em: Theory and Practice.

1. See Wookborm's review for a more complete discussion of what is wrong here. I don't mind beginner's books, but they should be marketed as such. I think you'll be hard pressed to find anything new in this book, if you have spent any time reading up on no-limit on any of the popular online forums. Mastery of the material in this book does not look sufficient to beat the 25 cent big blind game online. I could only recommend it if you have no other no-limit book at all; but then, why not buy Harrington volume 1 or something else? This book is superfluous. I felt ripped off.



2. This book is great. Well written, it clearly explains how now limit works. It is not for a beginner. I keep stopping and trying out the concepts before going on to the next. I am using implied odds and bet sizing to maximize my expectations. There is not as much math as some of his other books which is better for me.



3. Excellent book for the beginner to intermediate player to learn more about poker concepts. Well written and will definitely help your game.



4. I think this book gives a solid primer on no limit holdem, especially to the neophyte (like myself). I feel like there is some very useful information, such as when to call an all in from a short stack based on how you would profile the opponent (loose, tight, very tight, etc).
   
   The Sklansky Chubukov ratings are nice to know (even though the numbers can only be used for one small situation in the small blind)
   
   When I buy a poker book I am primarily looking to glean one or two important concepts and I think this book has done that.



5. This book is the book your looking for on no limit strategy. It explains many concepts that may not be clear to the starter player who wants to get deeper in knowledge. Many holdem books apply to limit poker but this book goes further into concepts that are started in supersystem and why doyle can makes certain plays.