Games Books

It just came to my attention that a new revised and corrected edition with a little additional material will be released in a couple of months! I have the orignal Random House edition and this is a great collection of instructive games with analysis of every move. I have enjoyed it with the "More Unbeatable" book as well.

After having learned the basics from the same author's CHESS FOR JUNIORS book I decided to get this book for myself, my children and grandchildren.

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I just finished reviewing CHESS FOR JUNIORS, which I consider to be an 8th wonder of the world, and now I discovered the 9th!
CHESS FOR JUNIORS leaves off at the end with with nicely analyzed games (move by move commentary) and UNBEATABLE CHESS LESSONS FOR JUNIORS adds 24 more games. You will learn just what the author knows you need to learn once completeting CHESS FOR JUNIORS (well, if you know the basics well, then you can skip CHESS FOR JUNIORS and jump right into this book).

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I might also suggest that you get WINNING CHESS TOURNAMENTS FOR JUNIORS in this series, which provides an explanded opening system, intermediate level tactics and endgames and lots of information on how to improve and prepare for tournaments.

ENJOY!!!

This is a revised edition of the book originally published in 2003. The main difference between this edition and the earlier one are:
1) The format has been changed to double column on the pages. This allows the explanations of the moves to be closer to the diagrams which accompany the explanations.
2} Some of the analysis has been updated and expanded to further help the student.
3) A result of the new format and slightly smaller print has been a saving of space (less white space per page}. Therefore, the new edition has the same number of games and explanation, but in under 200 pages. At less than 1/2 the thickness of the previous edition, it is much easier to carry.
4} A new edition gave the author a chance to correct many typographical errors and rephrase explanations to make for further clarity.

Like its predecessor, this book is for anyone (not just juniors) who want to understand why certain moves are played. Those who have read Irving Chernev's "Logical Chess: Move by Move" will be even more delighted with Mr. Snyder's book. Instead of the lengthy explanations that are repeated over and over again in Chernev's book, the book by Mr. Snyder gives the important information once at length and then relies of the reader to review if the explanation is needed again. When a move is a simple recapture he keeps the explanation to a short senctence. In the case of the opening moves being repeated in a later game, Snyder does not give the explanation again, but relies on the reader to refer back if explanation is needed. Half of the games are those of the author and half by other masters. Some important features of the book for students are:
1) Games are arranged by opening and thus start the player on developing an opening repretoire to play against opponents.
2) Analysis (i.e. alternate moves) is kept to the minimum needed to help the student gain understanding of what is happening and of alternate possibilities.
3) There are numerous diagrams (generally after every 3 or 4 moves) to help the student make sure of the correct position. And for stronger players it allows for them to read the book without the need of a board.
4) Explanation of moves are clear and concise. Anyone from about age 11 or 12 and up should have no trouble understanding the material.
I recommend this book for anyone who seriously wants to improve their play.

The idea of explaining the idea behind every move is a good. I wish that more books would do this for the Beginning and Intermediate level chessplayer.
There are several problems with this book; 1) The book is overly focused on the opening - it should spend more time going into the middlegame and endgame, and 2) It often would not answer the questions I had about a move or what was going on it the game, and 3) half the games are of the author, who is only a measly master. However, overall I can still recommend this book.
This book does not compare in quality to my favorite book, "Logical Chess, Move by Move, which just recently was updated."

I really enjoyed reading Unbeatable Chess Lessons For Juniors. I felt that I gained a lot of knowledge especially in the following areas,
a) Learning how to build an attack. The placement of your pieces and planning aheady.
b) Learning how to use sacrifices and to recognize when they work and do not work.
c) Positional play - manuvering your pieces and planning the use of Pawn structures.
d) Many tactical ideas were covered.
e) Learning the openings. The openings in the complete games are well covered with important opening lines being show. The games are organized by the type of openings being used. This makes it easy to study openings. The lines being shown are up to date and very accurate.
f) There are not a lot of endgames but the ones covered are very instructive. What I like is to see how plans were made to get to the winning endgame right from the opening! This book then gives a step by step explaination of how to win the endgame.
Some special features I liked about Unbeatable Chess Lessons For Juniors,
a) You are asked to find the best move. This forces you to think and makes for fun problems to solve out of games. This is much different than most books.
b) All the moves are analyzed.
c) General rules are pointed out. But, what makes it really nice is when the exceptions to the general rules happen, they are pointed out.
I like the nice easy flowing style of the author. For a person who already knows the very basic stuff about chess this book is just right. This is because there is both a review of important ideas and a depth of analysis making this book interesting for a more advanced player as well. The author uses a lot of his own game where he has used them in chess lessons with his own students. This makes the explaination very clear and things that only an experienced chess teacher knows need to be covered are right there. I have read some of the other reviews which have been helpful to me in being able to point out some of things that I agree with.
If you really love chess and like to study to improve this book is good for any age. But it is written so a 6th grader can understand it.
I understand that this book is going through a new printing correcting any typos and may be hard to get for a while. It would be worth waiting for if you cannot get it now or even getting a used copy for now.

She loves the holes in the book and the surprise at the end! (her image in the mirror) it is her current favorite. Peek a boo is an often used phrase for her right now and her favorite game, so using different words for "boo" is super funny to her!

This book is just okay. The pictures are cute and vivid which I like, but it's very simplistic and VERY short. My kids (3 years and 18 months) just aren't all that excited by it. It's a fine book, but I'm surprised by all the 5 star ratings. Expectations were set a bit high, I guess.

I got this adorable book for my toddler granddaughter. She absolutely loves it! She's learning to talk and after just a couple times through the book she knew exactly which "who" was coming up on the next page. She has had a lot of fun with the book. She really loves to see herself at the end of the book in the mirror. I'm so glad I got this for her and glad that she is getting so much enjoyment out of it. It's a real treasure for little ones. I highly recommend it!

My daughter is 7 months old and I'm not sure if she gets the concept of peek-a-boo yet (she doesn't seem to get that the pages have cut-outs), but at least she loves the last page with the mirror (peek-a-you!). Good sturdy board book to bite and slobber all over. I'm glad I bought this book.

I must say, while organizing some book shelves for my two school age daughers I came across this book. I can't tell you how emotional I got! This book is so sweet, gentle and the perfect first book for a young child. I will save my copy for my grandchildren, due in 15 years! :)

Just a delightful book. I remember reading this during library time when I was little, so I had fond memories of reading the playful words and looking at the fanciful illustrations. You'll enjoy the book if you like fun rhyming that doesn't necessarily use "perfect" words but creates an enjoyable experience for your child anyway. Although another reviewer gave this book one star because it wasn't "educational" enough due to its use of playful words, some books are just meant to be read and enjoyed without teaching a lesson. It's okay to let kids be kids and to foster their imagination!

Now I'm an adult with a toddler. I found "Jamberry" at our local library and checked it out to read to my daughter who was 12 months old at the time. She kept saying "again" whenever we'd finish it. Whenever we check it out at the library, she wants to read it everyday, multiple times, at least 3 times in a row. Although this may annoy me slightly (especially after the 15th time reading it in one day), I'm thrilled she's so excited about a book and am proud to help foster her love for reading at an early age.

As an aside, we haven't checked "Jamberry" out at the library in at least 2 months and tonight I said "One berry, two berry, pick me a blueberry" and our daughter wanted to read the book. We tried explaining to her that "Jamberry" was still at the library and she got pretty upset that the book wasn't here to read for the twenty-millionth time. Never making that mistake again! No quoting "Jamberry" unless you have the real thing to back it up. That's why I've gone ahead and put it on my daughter's wish list.

This was one of my daughter's favorites, and it's one I didn't mind reading again and again. It has a fun rhythm and innovative text, and is not repetitive or "moralizing" like many kids' books. It's not meant to teach a lesson, just fun-- and really, don't we all need that sometimes?

The first time I read this, I simply did not get it. But then I read it again with an open mind combined with my own fond memories of picking huckleberries in the Idaho mountains and soon was more acclimated to this charming little rhyme. The repetion of vowels is great for little ears and the pictures truly are wonderfully whimsical. I still don't get it, but it certainly is darling.

I found this book on Amazon based on execellent reviews and looking for entertaining books for my 18 month grandson. This book rocks. All kinds of rhymes, which is fun for the reader (grandma) as well as the listener, artwork is very cool so that every time you read the book (20 times a day) you can point out a new frog here, an elephant in tights there, choo choo trains in silhouette after seeing them full of berries. Bottom line - berries are yummy and a great berry story is awesome - and this book celebrates berries.

Although the rhymes as nice and the content of picking various berries come into play - I think the pages are way too busy with lots of illustrations that distracts the story and causes focus problems.

Beautiful Deck of cards. Very colorful. Osho Zen Tarot: The Transcendental Game Of Zen

I've never had any Tarot cards myself, tho i must say that this deck really appeals to me. Its much more current day then many other decks and perhaps the biggest plus are the quotes from osho himself which are in the explanatory book.
Best example why you should buy this deck if your into tarot or any other kind of spirituality is the fact that when i did a reading for some of my friends (who are into regular tarot themselves) they where so impressed by the art, truth and texts that they wanted to know where i bought it so they could get a copy for themselves.

I bought the cards and book basically as a guide for focusing and meditation, which works quite well. They are based on the same concept as the traditional tarot cards, so I figure that anyone the uses the tarot cards will find these quite easy to work with. I had read a couple of books by Osho before I came across these cards, so it makes sense that he would incorporate his philosophy into these zen tarot cards.

Everytime I asked this tarot for an answer or guidance, it always gave me exactly what I needed to hear at the moment. Quite amazing. I love the messages that Osho has given on each card - not just a woodoo kinda thing like any other tarot I used in the past. Try to quiet your mind before you enter the reading. It somehow helps me queit my mind as well - very powerful and helpful.

Ullasini Khwan
www.urbanyogis.com

Beautiful set of tarots and a masterful art of getting you to look within for the answers to what is puzzeling you. I have enjoyed the tarot readings and have begun my journey.

Animation is now done in 3-D this book is dated.
The book I have on by Don Bluth were much more elaborate on the animnation process then this book. The drawings are primative and don't offer much of the way of substance you can take them at face value.
If you like stick figures you might like this book.

This a must-purchase for the starting animator. I read The Illusion of Life first, which was a lot of words and theory but fewer walk-throughs (though you should buy that, too!). Get it, you won't be disappointed.

this was the textbook for my principles of animation I class, and it was an immense help. if I was ever confused about how to liven up an animation, or make a movement more believable, I could look in the book for an explanation of a walk, run, jump, or any of a number of movements and get an example of the keyframes at the very least.
while it doesn't sit down and explain the 12 principles of animation in a section, it does end up covering the essentials in an easy to understand way.

my instructor put it this way "The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation is the old testament of animation, and this book, is the new testament."

This is an easy to understand book that i am sure will give me an edge starting my animation history classes. It lays everything out in an understandable format. great book

a much needed item for an inspiring animator or anyone interested in the entertainment field

To put it in short- the best Trekkie encyclopedia there is.

I just love those biographies on important characters.

Before I lost this, I was constantly using this as a point of reference for the time line of things and to make sure I wasn't mispelling certain things.. getting other things right, what was where, what all kinds of Star ship classes there wear, etc... this was all for a fan fiction novel that I was, am.. writing. Good thing I put some of those things I was always looking at.. on paper.. so I didn't have to lug the book around everywhere I went.

Granted it's lacking the last few seasons of Voyager and the whole of Enterprise, but I thank Okura for even making "an" edition of these, though it would be nice for a new one.

This is a great book, with one rather glaring error. Under the SETI entry, there is a picture of Pioneer's plaque. On the plaque, the Pioneer appears to be launched from the second planet from the sun. As we all know, the probe was launched from the third planet, Earth.

If you consider yourself a Trekkie or just someone who is truely intersted in Star Trek this Encyclopedia is a must buy period.It has insight to every facet of the Series.From the Original to Voyager you'll know details to everything.You'll won't be able to just glance through it once.I consider myself a huge Trekkie and like to think I know alot about the Shows,but I'll find myself amazed when I discover details about a certain charecter of Episodes I've forgotten or never knew exsisted.Especially interesting is the Timeline parts of the book,The breakdowns of Ship commisions and Designs,information about Actors,Cuisine,backstories of Charecters.You name it and they have everything about it...well almost everything.

You have to realize this fact before buying this Encyclopedia is that it was made in 1999.It's been 9 Years.Alot of History has happened in Star Trek since then and if you don't realize this now,you'll be disapointed to discover that to information about Deep Space Nine's last Season,the last 2 Seasons of Voyager,The whole of Enterprise and Star Trek Nemesis.All of this information is non-exsistant.And just imagine the frustration of people who actually owned this book through the years and reread it wishing it had all this wealth of new information.I honestly can't comprehend why Pocket Books would not release the Book with all of this missing information availible.Or make a CD-Rom of it.

This might sound like I'm ragging on the Book,but that would be impossible to do.Wiether or not this info is in this paticular Book doesn't really matter,because it extensively covers in scrutinizing detail of all the Series up to Deep Space Nine Last Season,Voyager's last 2 Seasons,the whole of Enterprise and Star Trek Nemesis.And believe me you'll be more than satisfied with that alone.

So,most definately buy this now and enjoy it and you will.But just realize it's outdated and once you do that then you can truely enjoy this Encyclopedia the way the Publisher intended you enjoy it:with wonderment and fun.

I bought this book in 2003, and it covered most of the bases then, but only the movies through 1998 ("Insurrection" IIRC; "Nemesis" is not covered.), and the 5th season of Voyager. It just covered the last season of DS9. And of course it has none of the "Enterprise" series.

There have also been events such as the Paramount auction of all the series and movie paraphernalia since then, and that could be a chapter all by itself.

I came on Amazon today expecting to see a new and updated version for sale, and was disappointed that the old edition is still all that's available.

Michael and Denise Okuda know everything there is to know about ST, and are the perfect people to update this. If I were shopping today for the first time I would say wait for the new edition, but buy a used paperback 1999 just to see what it's all about.

Keeping my fingers crossed that someone sees the demand for an updated version!

Go, Dog.Go! by P.D. Eastman, is a great book for young children ages 3-8. it shows children the differences between these comparisons.:big/little, like/dislike, in/out, top/bottom, up/down, over/under, day/night, work/play and different colors. This book is meant for getting children to try to read all by them selves. The vibrant and exciting pictures of different looking dogs will keep young children's attention. This book is a little long for young children's book, it's 64 pages long. I strongly recommend this book for any little kid it's a good one.

This was my 4 girls' favorite book EVER when they were little. I highly recommend it for any and all children out there.

A Seuss-style easy reader just made for dog lovers of all ages. A classic in every sense and a wonderful book to read to little ones just emerging into reading on their own. The colorful illustrations keep your child's attention, along with the dog action! My kids love this book and I recommend it. For the same ages, another colorful easy reader is Ladybug Baby Bug, by Janice and Mark Perkins. I really think you'll enjoy both in your home collection.

I hadn't seen this book for at least 25 years or more, until my mom started reading it to my son (her grandson). I was instantly transported back to my own young childhood, to the point where I remembered pages before turning to them. I remembered where the dogs were going and why they were going fast -- they were going to a dog party, a big dog party!

Our 2.5 year old boy really loves this book, and even more satisfying, I can see it really making him think about language and how to say things. Beyond the little "romance" story line, I personally think the main benefit of this book is that it shows a little one how the English language works.

Think prepositions. If you've ever tried to learn a foreign language or know one, you'll know that prepositions, and how they work are among the most difficult things to master. This book shows how most of them work, for example, "two dogs, in a house, on a boat, in the water," illustrated to demonstrate the meaning.

Our little guy is growing up bilingual (American Dad, Italian Mom), so his speaking is somewhat delayed as he sorts everything out. It was a true joy to hear him the other night say "green up" (well, more like "geen up") and "yellow down" for the page where "the green dog is up, and the yellow dog is down."

So, as the many other reviews have noted, there is so much positive about this book, and I join the others in recommending it very much. Fun, educational, and interesting to look at -- what more could there be in a kids' book?

So of course it thrills my heart that my two nieces (2.5 and 5) like it too.

This book is really an early reader, it's not *intended* for children under that age, though of course it can function as a read-aloud for little-little ones. (Not always - my younger niece won't always sit through this one, it's a bit long!)

There are two running plots in the book, one about hats, and one about where the dogs are all ultimately going; these two plots meet marvelously at the end of the book. (For *months*, I couldn't go a day without having to re-enact "Do you like my hat? I do, I like that hat, what a party hat!" with the older niece!)

Most of the book, however, is caught up with just basic vocabulary words, mostly about dogs - "One dog going in, three dogs going out" or "The sun is up, the sun is yellow, the yellow sun is over the house".

This can be a little tedious, but I the kids don't seem to think so - even at their fidgiest, they want me to say every word.

A terrific book, especially for those going to Africa. A must for hunters especially those who will hunt in Africa. It was the book my Professional Hunter had me read the first time I visited southern africa. It was not only great reading but very sobering and helped me gain the proper respect for these magnificent and dangerous animals. Also a great book for those who may not go to africa but want to experience it, get closer to the dark continent and closer to the adventure and danger that lies there. Hightly recommendedThe Man-Eaters of Tsavo and Other East African Adventures (Webster's Spanish Thesaurus Edition)

i thoroughly enjoyed the chapter on lions and snakes , while elephant and leopard were a bit extravagant and lofty . At times it Appeared capstick was trigger happy and I couldn't help feeling for the animals . Sounded very exaggerated at times . But why kill antelopes and elephants when they are so harmless and non interfering .
the written script was a bit jargonic and slang difficult to comprehend at times , I would prefer Kenneth Anderson books any time .
All in all the death in the long grass was full of mixed feelings.

Hemingway, Ruark, and Sanchez are all pale imitators of the great Peter Hathaway Capstick. Try to imagine an American walking away from a Wall Street career to hunt as a professional guide in Africa. Now imagine that this guy could write WAY BETTER than Hemingway, and you're still not there.
A small snipet from the chapter on leopard.
"...the bark of the tree, when, suddenly, your gazing into two yellow-green eyes as evil as poison gas."
I'm not a hunter myself, but reading this book makes me wish I was.

"Death in the Long Grass" is my favorite of all Capstick's stories. Note, I didn't say "the most accurate or honest", but simply my favorite. He makes fearful episodes with wild beasts believable but, I suspect that Capstick put many second-hand stories into the first person.

I spoke to one long-time professional hunter in Zambia, old Rhodesia and Zimbabwe, "What do you know about Capstick?" At the time I was an avid reader and believed every word like scripture. He told me, "All I've heard of him is that he was a cook in a hunting camp in Zambia." Then again, my professional hunter friend may have had insufficient information. Another time, in one of his book, Capstick seems to quote me, personally. I will paraphrase, "I met a young African hunter who gave me his philosophy on hunting, 'It's better to spend small amounts of money and go on many safaris than to spend a great deal of money and go on only a few'." This is, in fact, an accurate quote...but...I never met Capstick. But this was and is my personal philosophy and, because of it, I have hunted all over the world and taken everything from doves to elephant.

Another friend, who reportedly knew Capstick in his later years, told me that Capstick said words to the effect, "Everybody believes that I am a liar." My friend responded, "It doesn't matter what people think. You are a great writer and you've done more for big-game hunting than any man alive." I quite agree with this, by the way.

In one of his books, Capstick tells the exciting story of hunting down a maneating leopard. It's truly a gripping tale. Late in his life, Capstick--for a fee--offered his company on African safaris. I read the account my one of the men who hired Capstick. Once again, I'll paraphrase, "It's a remarkable thing that Capstick, who had guided so many hunters in the killing of leopards, had never actually shot one himself. I therefore gave him my leopard permit and Capstick did the shooting."

Hey, Capstick was a fascinating writer, had a great ear and made the reader live the adventure. Were all his facts exactly straight? I don't know and doubt it really matters.

Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Conquest of Mexico.

I first read this book years ago, but that copy got lost and I was overjoyed to find it again. My siblings and I all wanted it when Dad gave away his library.

Mr Capstick is a wonderfully descriptive writer! Each one of the big eight African game animals has a chapter; and each is the very worst way to die. Capstick does not skimp on the gory details, but he is entertaining and real. He spent many years in the Africian bush and obviously knows each of these animals very, very well.

I worked with a gentleman who met Capstick while in Africia and he reported that the man in the book is the same man in real life. If you want a different view of Africa from the Disneyification of wildlife this is the book for you.

If you like Good Night Moon, you will love this as well. I told my husband that when are girls are too big for bedtime stories, I will want him to read me these two books at bedtime. They are so soothing. My girls both love looking at the details of the pictures. This is a classic.

Illustrates animals going to bed! I love books that show everyone is going to sleep!

What a wonderful story! The rhyming text is a pleasure to read, and the book progresses from day to night, making it a perfect bedtime story. I've read it so many times to my five year old twins that we now know it by heart. Get it!!!

My son loves to read books, but this one does not keep his attention. He likes Goodnight Moon, the Boyton Books, and others, but this doesn't keep his interest. I do like that it shows various animals and their noises.

This is one of my favorite books to read to my son. The prose is beautiful, concise, and profound. It's a very subtle book and takes some quiet time to truly appreciate it. The Big Red Barn is a picture of utopia; animals coexisting in peace, playing throughout the day, and then resting at night.

I'm from Italy, and here, too, this book is well known as a very useful tool for improving our skills in Hold 'em Tournaments

So far, all the books I've gotten through Amazon, and I've been buying for years, have been in good to great condition with a nice price. I'll continue buying from Amazon.

Must buy. Worth every penny. This with volume one are great and if the material is mastered, your returns will be greater than you expected. Aides through all the lower to middle levels.

Got this book for my husband, an online poker fan. He loved the first one in the series and doesn't like to put this one down either. Reads them multiple times to get the most out of them.

There have been many in-depth reviews of this book so I will make this short. This book builds on the concepts in Volume 1 to further improve your playing. Some of the concepts and strategies are not as intuitive but make perfect sense and are statistically sound (e.g., As your M and the M of your opponents decrease - avoid playing small pairs and mid to low suited connectors since the implied pot odds can not reach a level to make these hand profitable late in a tournament). Many, many, many advanced topics covered to improve your game late in No Limit tournaments. Mor great insight from a top poker pro.