3 comments about Will Shortz Presents The Monster Book of Sudoku for Kids: 150 Fun Puzzles (Will Shortz Presents...).

1. It's a good book to introduce kids to sudoku. It starts off very easy and then gradually becomes more challenging.



2. This is a great book on Sudoku for kids. The book includes 150 puzzles. The puzzles are of various sizes: 4x4, 6x6, and 9x9. The solutions are at the end of the book. There are four levels of difficulty for the puzzles.
   
   The first four pages in this book are dedicated for strategy, hints, rules, or tips. All the puzzles in the book are Classic Sudoku (with numbers). There are no Alphabet Sudoku (with letters) or Symbol Sudoku (with shapes and symbols) like the two books "Kindergarten Sudoku" and "Super Sudoku for Kids".



3. This book is great for kids who want to learn sudoku and it keeps them occupied.

5 comments about Chess for Juniors: A Complete Guide for the Beginner (Chess).

1. Want to learn chess? If you are an absolute beginner or someone who has mastered the very basic skills then look no further! CHESS FOR JUNIORS will do the job for you. Yes, I am into advertising, but not as a profession for this book (if you know "Mr. Clean", "Hey, Mikie likes it" or "Where's the Beef" I was the person who made this possible on national TV". OK, you have got it! I am an old timer writing about a book with the "Youth Market" in mind. But then why has it been since it publication date of 1991 the #1 best selling chess book? It is GOOD, VERY GOOD!
   
   -->
   
   WHY:
   
   1. VERY CLEAR (Mr. Clean can see everything)
   2. VERY UNDERSTANDABLE (an 8-year-old or older name Mikie will like it)
   3. LOTS OF MATERIAL (you will not be left saying, "where is the beef!")
   4. WELL ORGANIZED (just like a "box of chocolate" - I was involved in that too!)
   5. BEST SELLER (couldn't be all that bad! - it is ranked as #1)
   
   -->
   
   SOME THINGS I LIKE:
   
   1. If you are using this book to teach someone who doesn't know a thing about chess (maybe you or your kid or your student?) then it starts off assuming no knowledge (everyone was once a beginner)
   2. Once you finish you can go back and find almost every important term or concept in the index (doesn't require a college education to find something - Gommer Pyle would find what he wants!)
   3. Written in a mature manner that an old guy will appreciate, yet the humor that kids will like in the book offers a perfect balance to make this a book for anyone who can read. (must only be beyond the reading level of - see spot run, run spot run)
   
   -->
   
   HOW:
   
   1. You have ordered here before (go for it you button pusher!)
   2. New, Used, or a Collectible Autographed Copy (like I have - I try and get whatever I can autographed just click on the right button of your choice)
   
   Now I absolutely love this book. My grandkids, parents and I all have a copy and so should you. Next time you are watching TV and see a commercial, or see the author's students "Will Smith" or "Nicolas Cage", then you will be reminded of this particular book!



2. I run two after school chess programs at elementary schools and use "Chess for Juniors" as the text book. At first I was disapointed to see that this book has become difficult to get (if you can get a used copy grab it!). However, I found out is is going through a complete revision and will be a second edition when released later this year (as well as the entire "Chess for Juniors" series of books, including some new ones to be released).
   "Chess for Juniors" is the perfect text book for teachers who are running a class for elementary age students on up (yes, it is suitable for a class for adults) beginning with an introduction to the basic rules and leading into a lot of basic material on strategy found in all aspects of the game.
   What I found that sets "Chess for Juniors" (and the entire series) in a class by itself is the readability (ease of understanding the material) and comprehensiveness of the book.
   Whereas, a 3rd grade reader of average reading skill can understand it, it is not going to insult an adult who wants to learn from it. It is is structured so any teacher conducting a class can easily follow the building lessons (it provides the perfect format for a ready-made class outline!).
   Please hurry with the second edition!!!



3. "Chess for Juniors" is obviously the work of superb teacher whose mind and heart have fully committed themselves to the playing and teaching of chess over a number of years. It's perfectly organized and will turn any prospective or current player who carefully studies and absorbs its twenty lessons into a 1200-1300 player at least. I'm looking forward to diving into Snyder's "unbeatable Lessons" books if they're as valuable as this one.
   
   Since I already knew the basics of chess before I bought this book, I was most interested in the approach Snyder took once he directed his readers on to the next step, since this is where introductory books on chess really show their true colors.
   Snyder covers the pins/forks/skewers tactics as well as anyone, but the best part is the in-depth attention he gives to openings, defenses, and what he calls "Tactical Motifs." What this entails are insightful, detailed looks at the Ruy Lopez (the "Spanish") and Giuoco Piano (the "Italian") openings, and a group of the best-known gambits (From's, King's accepted and declined, Bishop sacrifices, Petroff's Defense). He also looks at those three to four-move checkmates like the Fool's and Scholar's--how they can be sprung on novice/unsuspecting opponents and how they can be avoided so easily if you develop the sound opening principles Snyder sets forth. If you play over and completely absorb all these openings and the basic variations as Snyder sets them down here, you'll develop a strong sense of space and begin to understand the tactical and strategic consequences of the moves you make.
   
   Snyder also gives great explanations of some defensive responses, especially the Sicilian, the King's Indian and the Nimzo-Indian if you're playing black. The depth of Snyder's explanations is perfect, so that you learn what to do and why to do it without getting bogged down in needless details and variations. His lessons on King-Pawn, Queen and Rook endings are also perfectly set out. End games are essential of course but they are a bit dull to have to study. Again, I feel Snyder gives you just what you need to know so that you won't blow an end game with a loss, draw or stalemate when the use of a few core techniques could have made the game yours. Finally, there are a couple of instructive games which look especially at attacks on the weak f7/f2 squares and their outcomes, around which many wins or losses can revolve.
   
   All in all, this is a superb beginner's book, either for youths or adults. I would say that there are other good ones out there too which can be fruitfully studied in conjunction with Snyder--the beginner's books by Yasser Seirawan (Play Winning Chess), John Nunn (Learn Chess), and I. A. Horowitz (Chess for Beginners). I do think it's shameful that many advocates of Snyder's fine work try to undermine these other works by pumping "Chess for Juniors" and pushing down all positive reviews of his competitors by marking these reviews "unhelpful." There seems to be some kind of strategy at work, since they always put Snyder's title in upper case letters, recommending it after they have put down the other work. Sometimes they won't even review the other work, but will just mention Snyder's. It all seems orchestrated. I'm sure an author and lover of chess such as Snyder must be too classy a man to advocate this kind of lowball campaign. Apparently his students are not.



4. I got this book a couple of years ago and now am chess club presendent at my school chess club in 7th grade. I loaned it out so many times it is getting worn out.
   
   When I went to get a copy now I found out it is temporarily not in print because it is going to be made a new edition. I plan to get the new edition for the chess club.
   
   What I liked about this book is that it isn't a silly little kids picture book. It teaches serious material using an easy to understand method by making the language basic enough and organizing it in an order to make it learning friendly. It would be good for anyone who can read as well as an average third grader right on up to adults. The index in the back makes it easy to find things and relook things up like terms, openings and rules.
   
   Everyone in the school chess club likes it and uses it for continued reference even after having read it. I think this is the best first book for kids and adults.



5. I wanted to let people know that this top-selling chess book is now available under the title "Chess for Everyone: A Complete Guide for the Beginner". It has been updated and improved. The improvements include adding opening information, more detailed explanations at critical points and a less cramped, easier to read format. It is extremely complete in covering everything that a beginner needs to know to take him/her to the next level. It is a great book for students in grade 4 on up to adult. It is well organized and very suitable for textbook use by chess teachers. It uses a building format where lessons expand on material thorughout the twenty graduated lessons. It is one of only a few "beginner" books that are part of a comprehensive series that allows for direct follow-up material that is consistant. There are currently 5 books in print. In 2009, "Basic Chess Tactics: A Tactical Pattern Recognition Workbook for the Classroom" is scheduled for release. The "Chess for Everyone Teacher's Textbook Guide" is unlike any other teacher guide in that it provides lesson plans and information on how to teach chess to be used in conjunction with "Chess for Everyone".

5 comments about Drow of the Underdark (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying).

1. ...which is actually exactly how it should be. For hard-core role-players, it's really more about the story, and this book does add some really poignant perspectives and insightful ideas about Drow society and methods of using them within a campaign. Unfortunately, there is a tendency in RPG's (and D&D is the prime example of this) to feel obligated to include new character mechanics, new equipment, and new rules in every supplement. Ultimately, all this does is weigh down an RPG whose core books might be well-balanced and graceful, but with the addition of each supplement becomes unbalanced and clunky. Most of the new classes and feats offered in this book are frankly not worth reading, let alone including in a campaign. Sadly, this content takes up space which could have been used to expand upon the truly solid foundation of story content and flavor that the book does deliver.



2. By and large it is a good comprehensive look at Drow society. That having been said, I think that the Drow are a fascinating villain in any campaign and one book really isn't enough to do justice to them. To really get a good idea of their mindset, I recommend more reading... Anything by R.A. Salvatore or the War of the Spider Queen series.



3. I bought this book expecting it to have the Forgotten Realms: Drow of Underdark from 2nd Ed feel and content. It really wasn't that kind of book.
   
   It's informative and a decent read. But as others have said it doesn't have any real new material or expand upon interesting locales or NPC's from the novels that are out there.
   
   So it's ok, not bad but it could have been way better. It's got a nice cover though.
   
   -Joe



4. Drow are certainly the coolest villains in the DND universe, and this book adds more detail and features to flesh them out. New feats, skills, spells, equipment, and lots about their culture. Perfect for running an Underdark campaign, but still useful if you just throw drow in every once in awhile as enemies in your normal campaign.



5. Book in great condition, took a little longer to get to me then I would have liked but overall excellent!!

1 comments about The New York Times Weekend Challenge: Formidable but Fun Crosswords.

1. These puzzles are absolutely hilarious! Yet again, I'm blown away by the exquisite surprises, twists and turns. I've been stumped on a few of them for a few days now, but I'm not giving up! Shortz is, hands down, a genius. Try your hand at the masterful art within these pages, and enjoy the furrowed brow and laughs!

5 comments about The Muppets Make Puppets.

1. I bought this book expecting little more than sharing some arts-and-crafts time with my kids that also blended with my interests in puppetry and the Muppets. Big surprise -- this book is full of good, basic advice on puppet manipulation, voice, and puppet building. My daughter and I have already made one of the puppets, involving gardening gloves, ping-pong balls, and feathers, and each of us came up with something different and delightful. The addition of some small supplies to get the aspiring puppet builder started is very nice, but this would have been a good buy even without that.



2. but children will not be able to reproduce the puppets pictured. Maybe that is the point, that you can make puppets out of anything. So the book is good for inspiration. But don't expect to be able to make the puppets quite like they do!



3. This book has so many great ideas using many easy to find objects. It even includes a little packet with 2 pairs of eyes, some faux fur, a few feathers and other sundries. The day this book arrived, my daughter and I made 3 puppets. In the next several days we made many more out of socks, oven mitts and other things that were just laying around the house. If you hate to throw things away, you'll love this. After reading the book, you'll start looking at your trash with new eyes. Old paper towel rolls, band-aid tins, fabric scraps, plastic spoons, small plastic bottles you might throw out, sponges, pot scrubbers, erasers--all these things can be transformed into puppets.

   My only quibble is that the suggested reading level is ages 4-8. My nearly five-year-old can't do these projects alone, (I also use a hot glue gun, so it's too hot for her) so I've ended up letting her direct what goes where on the puppets. I think a six year-old working with less dangerous adhesives could do many of the projects himself, and I think kids even older than the age range would find the projects fun, especially if they have little siblings or an opportunity to teach younger kids. (Like helping out at Sunday school).

   The book is full of projects that are easy to do right away, don't cost much money or require special trips to the craft store and let your child develop her imagination/creativity/emotional skills.




4. I ordered a Muppet book from them that was quite cheap. It was in great condition and very low-priced. I received it promptly and was very pleased with the service.



5. This is a great book and unfortunately not too well known. Children and adults love puppets, the ideas are original and the characters very distinctive. The book offers many types of puppets and it makes a great gift.

1 comments about Mercenaries 2: World in Flames: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. This is one of the worst Prima guide i have ever bought, from start to finish its full of mistakes omissions, print errors and so forth...
   
   I will give you just two examples from the start of the game , but believe me this are only the "little" mistakes this guide has:
   
   On page 60 for example there is a lame map of Venezuela which practically tells you nothing about the available contracts and factions - it only give you the vague location for each faction - as you turn the page though , you can read the following statement " due to the branching nature of the narrative - you often choose the order of the contracts you wish to undertake - (and now for the big lie) - CONSULT THE TABLE IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER(along with the map) to see when contracts become available..." but when you try to find this lost table you come to realize that THERE IS NO SUCH TABLE , they just forgot to print it!!!
   
   Example number two :
   
   when you go to free General Carmona at some point during this stage you receive a TANK ( which is a big game factor in this game - as you all know) - But of-course the guide fails to mention this "little" fact!
   
   There many other examples for the amateurish job Prima did with this guide and i was deeply disappointed because usually they do a much better job,
   
   So for conclusion:
   
   LEAVE THIS GUIDE ALONE!!! - You have been warned :)
   
   Have a nice day.

5 comments about 25 More Bridge Conventions You Should Know.

1. I'm considering whether to buy this book since I enjoyed the earlier book but there is NO information provided. This is NOT like Amazon. Clicking on the Table of Contents brings up a supposedly earlier version of this book that has nothing to do with advanced bridge conventions.
   
   If anyone knows how to find out which conventions are described in the book, you would do a great service by letting the rest of us know.



2. Terrific reference book. Covers Forcing No Trump, responding to preempts, Snapdragon Doubles, Unusual v. Unusual, Puppet Stayman, 1430 RKC, Q bidding, and many others. The good thing about this book is that it covers ALL aspects of each convention, from the first bid to all follow-up bids and responses.



3. 
   Section 1 Learn these first
   
   Chapter 1 Cappelletti Defense to 1NT
   Chapter 2 Flannery Two Diamonds
   Chapter 3 Bergen Raises
   Chapter 4 Responding to Three-bids
   Chapter 5 Four-Suit Transfers
   Chapter 6 Gambling 3NT
   Chapter 7 D.O.N.T. Defense to a Strong 1NT
   Chapter 8 Namyats
   
   
   Section 2 More complicated
   
   Chapter 9 More About Stayman
   Chapter 10 Exclusion Blackwood
   Chapter 11 Ingberman
   Chapter 12 Weak Jump Shifts
   Chapter 13 Support Doubles
   Chapter 14 Fit-showing Jumps
   Chapter 15 DOPI, ROPI and DEPO
   Chapter 16 Puppet Stayman
   
   
   Section 3 Sophisticated stuff
   
   Chapter 17 Inverted Minor Raises
   Chapter 18 Leaping Michaels
   Chapter 19 The Forcing 1NT
   Chapter 20 Ace-and-King (Italian) Cuebidding
   Chapter 21 Unusual over Unusual
   Chapter 22 SOS and other Redoubles
   Chapter 23 Pick-a-slam 5NT
   Chapter 24 Snapdragon Doubles
   Chapter 25 Multi-colored Two Diamonds



4. Excellent teaching and refer book. Discusses in detail all the exceptions for each of the conventions that most books do not cover.



5. The format of this book makes it easy to understand and learn the conventions. Explanations are clear. Examples abound. There are even mini tests to insure that you "get it".
   
   The series was recommended by our bridge teacher, so it is esteemed by professionals as well as by amateurs.
   
   I only wish I could put this under my pillow and absorb it by osmosis when I'm sleeping.
   
   I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to improve his or her bridge game.

5 comments about The Workbench Book: A Craftsman's Guide to Workbenches for Every Type of Woodworking.

1. Very fine expository writing for those interested in the history of and current state-of-the-art woodworking benches and accessories. Enclosed plans are a nice plus. The resource section is excellent. Well researched, well written, photography is exceptional.
   
   EIM



2. A very complete workbench guide with just enough history, lots of technical info, and with high quality pictures and drawings.



3. Informative and readable. Obviously a labor of love. I give it 5 stars even though the Tom Caspar-inspired design I've settled on didn't come from this book.



4. The Workbench Book serves as either a coffee table book or as a working guide to getting to just the right workbench built for yourself. The book is beautifully produced. The photos are beautiful and the text is wonderful.
   
   I chose the words "working guide" above carefully. The pretty pictures aside, the real value of this book to me was in being walked through just how many different ways a bench can be used. As I read it, I found myself constantly comparing my own work habits against what I was reading regarding why certain bench configurations evolved. It also made some of my own bench frustrations clearer.
   
   In the end, and as a direct result of reading this book, I've decided on a heavy open-framed (weighted, actually) bench a foot lower than what I've been using, 6' long, 30" deep, no tray, no storage, with a torsion box top and conventional (Record-type) woodworkers vise. I'll supplement with a pair of low (12" - 15") assembly tables 30" square each. That's pretty specific, but as I considered my own work and habits while reading, the formerly attractive shaker benches, euro benches, and even the intriguing Japanese beams have lost their attractiveness.
   
   This is that rare type of book that has long-term and deep implications for how you work if you read it with real intent. Highly recommended.



5. Lon Schleining's book "The Workbench" is the book of dreams. This book is more practical. The bench I completed a few months ago (after a couple of years of study) is based more on the ideas in Schleining's and more on Landis' book for procedure.
   
   I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Japanese Beams & Trestles.
   
   If you can afford it, buy both workbench books (unless there is some important particular you need, you won't need a third book). If not, pick this one if you need more how-to and Schleining's if you know how and want more design ideas.

4 comments about More Magic Wool: Creating Figures and Pictures With Dyed Wool.

1. I like this book even better than the first one. Great photos, nice ideas.



2. This one isn't a repeat of the first book in this series -- not at all! Instead it focuses more on creating small figures, toys and dolls, fairies and landscapes for a Seasonal Table. The projects are breathtaking, although very easy if you understand the basics of felting and winding wool. It also contains a short, but detailed section on dyeing wool using plants and other natural materials. Even if you don't dye your own wool, you'll appreciate the process. The hand-felted interactive play mats, complete with hidden spaces, are a completely new idea that children will enjoy using with their new felted animals and dolls. There are so many delightful ideas in this book, you and your children won't know where to start!



3. This is a fabulous book. My three-year-old daughter loves everything I've made out of this book. They are generally durable enough for light play - my daughter is pretty gentle. I enjoy doing these and it's really hours of fun for the kids to play with. Older kids would probably enjoy doing the projects too. They are relatively simple (with help from adults) and are pretty quick. I find finishing one of these dolls or figures extremely gratifying!



4. Another excellent reference book for working with wool and needlefelting ~ well written with excellent pictures. It offers yet another technique for making wool people ~ I have not found one book only that answers most questions on art felting ~ this is true of most techniques books whether it is for the arts or crafts. Wonderful ideas!

5 comments about Grand History of the Realms (Forgotten Realms).

1. I got the book hoping for a good read of the GRAND history of the realms. While it starts off fairly well (I liked the little one page clips throughout) it falls short when reaching the years of the FR novels I'm very familiar with. Then it goes into FAR too many details about the whole Areavin and reclamation of Myth Drannor series. I was not looking to read all of that story again on a timeline. (I find it sad that Wizards of the Coast has felt it necessary to wreak Faerun with the spellplague so they can sell the NEXT edition of DND material.) I was hoping for so much more. The best part of the book is the front and back cover pictures. One would think that Drizzt being on the cover would warrant more than 7 lines in the entire book and that the creation of the SPIRIT SOARING would appear at least once. Alas, no. He is used only on the cover to sell the book.



2. Having played the Forgotten Realms from the beginning but not still having all the products this is a valuable resource of the past, present and possible future of the realms. I really like it!!!



3. I don't play much AD&D these days, but I love to read the Forgotten Realms books. This is a great reference to keep close when reading the stories. I also own the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.0 Fantasy Roleplaying, Forgotten Realms Setting).



4. Finally! A Book put out that does not include a slew of GAME-MECHANICS. This book was the compliation of years worth of books, guides, magazines, references, and other outlets. This is the most complete timeline that I have see on the Forgotten Realms. Author Brian R. James should be commended for this book and even some kudos to WotC for allowing a pure content-based book to be released.
   
   All around, it is a handy book and you can even learn a thing or two. 5-stars purely for those who love Realmslore.



5. This would be a good book for anyone new to the Forgotten Realms. There is some useful information here without going into detail. As a result, I find use the term "Grand" an overstatement.
   
   For the long time veteran of The Forgotten Realms campaign, there isn't enough new material to justify the price. "The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting" by Greenwood, Reynolds, Williams, and Heinsoo (2001); and "Lost Empires Of Faerun" by Baker, Ronny, and Stout (2005) are a much more detailed books on the subject.
   
   The advantage of "Grand History..." is the updated timeline current with the latest novels, a few good ancient maps, and some timelines for local regions.