5 comments about Munchkin.

1. 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.



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



3. 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.



4. 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. I played this for the first time with my husband, sister and a friend. My husband is a gamer and has been for years. The rest of us are not (we run in fear from gamers). The non-gamers found this to be an easy to pick up game (with my husband also acting as rulesmaster and dumbing down some of the finer points of the game for us). My husband had fun and found the inside jokes amusing. So this is an enjoyable game for everyone to play regardless of their gamer experience.

5 comments about Kid Talk: Conversation Cards (Tabletalk Conversation Cards).

1. I bought this so we would spend some quality time at the table and boy did it work.My husband works alot of hours and is so used to eating and jumping up from the table. These cards really go all of us talking and the kids have been eating more and not bouncing around at the table.Even my 2yr old likes to listen to our answers and has been much more behaved at dinner!



2. A little disappointing. Our family has to skim through a few cards before we find one that seems fun.



3. We were looking for a way to increase our family communication during dinner and to allow each child in the family to have equal "floor time" for their comments. The cards contain great topics, are creative, and enhance spontaneous discussion. Great buy!



4. I bought these for my godsons (4 & 9). They both really enjoyed them, as did the adults!



5. I bought these to use with my kids, but found that they didn't find the ideas at all interesting. Personal interest varies, of course. It seems to me that we have more interesting conversations than the ones suggested in the deck on a regular basis. My main issue with these cards, however, is that many of the "facts" listed on the cards are completely incorrect. Don't beleive everything you read, and particularly with this card deck- find out if the "fact" it lists is truly a "fact". One could take this in an entirely different educational direction than it was intended, but a research project wasn't what I was looking for.

5 comments about Magic Item Compendium (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying).

1. An absolute MUST HAVE for any DM who likes rolling for treasure instead of hand picking it. The treasure tables in the back make rolling SO much easier and quicker (read: more fun). Plus the tables include every item from this book AND the DMG.
   
   If you are into what equipment your character has (who isnt?) then get this book.
   
   This is as good for magic items as Spell Compendium was for spells. Possibly better (I can't believe I just said that, all I play is spellcasters!)
   
   
   GET THIS BOOK!!!
   (unless you have the Vow of Poverty, then you will just cry when you see what kind of goodies you are missing out on)



2. For a while there, it seemed like WOTC was so into their 4th edition that they would not be publishing anything good for a while. But alas, here is something really good! this suplement has a ton af great information in it. Really great idea for adding powers to magic items, creating small ones and large ones. No matter how strict the DM is about magic, eventually you will be able to create some of these great ideas. And for the DM, hey, the bad guys need good armor too!



3. I loved it as soon as I pulled out of the box and touched the shiny new cover. Opening it up was like entering a whole new world. The items are fresh and exiting. Easy to read and a joy to locate a new item that lays in wait for the unsuspecting adventuring party.
   
   The only thing I have to say that is negative is:
   it would be nice to have pictures of every item. But how realistic is that?
   But how NICE would that be too!!!! With all the other details and research a DM has to do, it is nice to look at an image and describe it, alter it, or just hold up the book and say, "it looks like this."
   
   So, if you can live without a picture of every item... then this book is what you need next to you at every game session! There are new and refreshing items...something for everyone!
   
   Happy Gaming and I really think you will love this addition to your DM collection.



4. It's good but still unorganized like the Spell Compendium, the table helps a lot though, unlike in the spell compendium. They should have added the page of each item in the table in my opinion.



5. 
   Simply stated, this is a good book.
   
   To expand on this,the Magic Item Compendium is similar to the Spell Compendium in which it takes the magic item properties of many previously made source books(as early as Complete Adventurer to as late as Magic of Incarnum in the WOTC revised 3rd edition D&D series), as well as many prominent magic items. The book promises over 1,000, but if this is true I can't say. It does have many other properties right on, such as having lower cost items than featured in the main books. But what really caught this book for me is it's flexibility.
   
   Sure, one could argue that having a book merely composed of magic items would be pretty much useless unless your campaign allowed for a lot of said magic items. But, these could be easily 'dispelled' by the books overall purpose: Taking all of the magic item properties of most of the source books previous to it's making and putting them in one handy tome. There are magic items (and their properties) from the Eberron setting, from the Draconomicon, from the Complete Adventurer book, all without having to buy the said source books! Even if one where to have said source books, the Magic Item Compendium focuses specifically on finding these properties and items within and presenting them in a well organized fashion for any DM looking to create new, more interesting items of choice.
   
   Another handy feature of the Magic Item Compendium is giving items levels by price, and tables to show what priced magic item a player of x level would most likely have.
   
   This book, like many wotc books, isn't without it's woes. It has about 7 pages worth of errata, or corrections, on the wotc site, meaning if you want the book to be free of error you'll have to retrieve the errata file.
   Not to mention that while the magic items and are neatly organized and easy to read from, all of the meat and bones new rules (magic item levels, creating relics and item set bonuses, etc.) are all in the back of the book, after all of the actual items the rules refer to have been presented.
   
   Other than a few minor complaints, the book is solid and a good addition to any campaign.

5 comments about Everybody Needs a Rock (An Aladdin Book).

1. I teach 6th grade and one of the things we learn about is rocks. I bought this book based on the reviews, but after reading it I felt compelled to write one too. I try to get my students excited about rock collecting. This book is so simple, yet so inspiring. It begins by saying "I'm sorry for kids who only have tricycles, bicycles, horses, elephants, goldfish, three-room playhouses, fire engines, wind-up dragons and things like that - if they don't have a rock for a friend." It then goes on to list 10 simple rules for finding your rock...not just any rock. A rock that you will keep forever. The rules include where to find your rock and remember "You should choose your rock when everything is quiet. Don't let dogs bark at you or bees buzz at you." The book concedes, "Don't get a rock that is too big. You'll always be sorry. It won't fit in your right hand and it won't fit in your pocket. A rock as big as an apple is too big. A rock as big as a horse is MUCH too big." This is the perfect book to get your rock collectors started and excited about geology.



2. I bought this book for use in an early childhood classroom for 3 to 5 year old children, and the children and I just love it! It's a relaxing story to use and lends itself well to a variety of themes and activities. I wish I had this one when my own children were small. They would have LOVED it!



3. Thank You Byrd Baylor. I teach a class of adults in recovery. This book has a wonderful message. Everybody in the class chose a rock that appealed to them, a discussion presented inspiring feedback, that was meaningful. Nature has a way of touching our hearts. Nature has a way of growing our spirit.



4. I just got a FREE copy with my Cheerios box! I LOVE this book! I laughed with my 10 year old as we read it, and I will make my 13 year old son read it and we shall reflect on our rock hunting days of old in our beloved Tennessee creeks... :) I want a hardback of this book!



5. I bought a copy for all my g'kids. I love rocks and loved reading the book with them. Everybody does need a rock and kids need to be shown how to appreciate finding the right one.

5 comments about Sudoku Easy to Hard Presented by Will Shortz, Volume 3: 100 Wordless Crossword Puzzles (Sudoku Easy to Hard).

1. This is an entertaining book. Shortz is the best when it comes to puzzles of any type. I eagerly await future books.



2. This is one of the first books I tried when first learning to do Sudoku puzzles. It is an excellent one, with good sized puzzles, somewhat difficult for a novice, but that is the challenge! I would definitely recommend it!



3. I was challenged and happy with this book of sudoku until I reached the special "Giant Sudoku" section at the end. This section features a 12x12 sudoku grid in which you are meant to fill in the numbers 1-12. However, the initial setup includes the number 13 in all puzzles!
   
   Other than that, the book provides a nice ramp up from easy to challenging.



4. You have to think so it's a good thing and something to entertain and or keep you occupied especially on long trips.



5. I look for Sudoku books with three qualities. First, I want puzzles that have only one solution. If I find a book that includes puzzles with more than one solution I discard it. Two, I want books with grids large enough that I can enter candidates in the cells. Third, I want books with challenging puzzles. Many of the descriptions on Amazon omit such info.
   
   I prefer grids that are about 4 ½" x 4 ½". The grids in my newspaper are about 3" x 3" (which is tolerable because not many candidates are needed).
   
   Shortz's Sudoku Easy to Hard # 3: The puzzles have only one solution; the grids are 4 ½" x 4 1/2", and 25 are "Light and Easy," 25 "Moderate," 25 "Demanding," and 25 "Beware! Very Challenging."

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Sharpening.

1. You have to admire the author. He packs a huge amount of detailled and easily read information in this book. The electron photomicrographs, showing various sharp (and not so sharp) edges using various abarasives are excellent. Leonard also seems to know everything there is to know about the history of steel making, and abrasives. There are excellent chapters on just about every kind of woodworking tool imaginable, with plenty of excellent photographs. If I were a woodworker I would regard this book as being the one and only complete reference text.
   
   BUT... my personal interest is in sharpening kitchen knives. And the chapter on knife sharpening is the least informative in the book, and really tells the reader nothing new that is not already available on many web sites. In fact the Mr Lee actually says he only included this chapter because nobody would take his book seriously if it didn't have a chapter on knife sharpening. As a result, the chapter is not not very good. and in fact contains some wrong advice. eg using plastic book binders as edge guides: - Sorry Mr Lee, but they just do not work.
   
   For a complete knife book, you would be far better off with Chad Ward's new book "An Edge in the Kitchen", far better than this book by Mr Lee.
   
   I don't mean to disrespect the author, or this book. But it is really for woodworking tools, not kitchen knives.



2. What should I say? No need anymore to write other books on sharpening. It is well written and very informative on every detail. If you would like to know everything about sharpening, buy this book and you're done.



3. This book provides a very detailed look at the physics behind sharpening blades. I would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to learns the fundamentals of sharpening.



4. I was looking for more of a how to book. This book does have a lot of information, different angles, types of stones and hones, and a method of sharpening for any edged tool or knife. It just doesnt really show how to do it all.



5. Everything you wanted to know about sharpening. This book is very thorough in describing in some detail how to sharpen pretty much everything in your house and garage. It is a good balance of enough information to get started without going too overboard in topics that are not of interest. I think that the book is worth reading, especially if you can only pick one book.

No comments about Tom Clancy's End War: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides).

5 comments about Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg: How to Play the Game & Win.

1. Having played Mah for about five years, I purchased this book as a gift for some folks who are just learning the game...and I am teaching them. I thought the book was excellent in all respects. The book is easy to read and in reading I once again realized what great teachers I had because I learned the game by osmosis. Thanks Elaine Sandberg!



2. This is an excellent book for beginners and great for those who have been taught by others but need more insight into the correct procedures of playing the game. The print is large, the color of the tiles is clear, and the format is such that each step is clearly understood. Exercises are given to help a person experience what is written. At the end of each section is a quiz to determine how well the material was absorbed. I highly recommend this book for an easy explanation of the game and the rules.



3. This was an excellent introduction to American Mah Jongg. It was clear and gave me the ability to start playing right away. The exercises helped me understand the concpets and answered all of my questions as they came up. I highly recommend this book for someone starting to learn the game or for a refresher for those that haven't played in a long time.



4. This is a book I borrowed from a friend, and found I needed a copy for myself. It is written in simple language geared for the beginners - intermediate players. I often go back and reread if I have a problem.



5. I recently purchased American Mah Jongg book with two goals in mind. My first goal was to refresh myself, since I have not played for several years. The other goal was to teach my friends how to play in a manner that is easy, informative and fun. The Mah Jongg book is written in an easy format, provides history and actually provides me with order to how I teach the game. A Great Buy!

No comments about THE LAST REMNANT Signature Series Guide (Signature Series).

5 comments about 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know.

1. Easy reading, with good explanations of why you should use that convention. Great examples at the end of each chapter. As a beginner I highly recommend this book.



2. If you are looking for a bridge book that covers the most common conventions out there in the "bridge world"...this is the book for you. This book covers all the essentials to learn and understand the most popular bridge conventions. It does it in an easy to understand and precise manner. You will feel confident after reading and studying. The one feature missing.....doesn't give you the opportunity to practice much on each convention. You will have to play to learn that. But this book is worth the price to increase your playing power.



3. I know of no book that conveys the most popular bridge-playing conventions as painlessly as Barbara Seagram and Marc Smith's remarkable TWENTY-FIVE BRIDGE CONVENTIONS YOU SHOULD KNOW. They are all there, patiently explained, with examples drawn from appropriate circumstances and topical quizzes following immediately.
   
   Generally, the book starts with the basic conventions like Takeout Doubles and Blackwood and progresses to the more esoteric ones like Reverse Drury and Roman Key Card. We might argue about the exact order these conventions appear; Ms. Seagram is BIG on the Jacoby Transfer and its big brother, the Texas Transfer. Should people really learn those before they learn about Cue-bid Raises and Balancing? But that is a small wrinkle in such an excellent presentation; if you and your partner prefer to skip a lesson or two and come back later, this book will serve well anyway. Deserves a place on every good bridge-player's shelf.



4. An excellent, clearly presented over-view of conventions. Very easy to use and with clear large type face, easy to read.



5. This book explains gradually more sophisticated principles of declarer play in a clear, concise manner. I'm a recreational player trying to succeed in local ACBL club play, and this book teaches a progression of skills to understand and incorporate into my play. For me, the detail, number of examples, and chapter quizzes are about right. Understanding the principles and actually applying them in competitive play are two very different things, but this book clearly shows me the path I need to follow to raise my game.