Players Books

Does your soccer child want to do a book report or read about today's soccer stars? Well look no further. This beginning chapter book is well written and filled with full color action photographs.

There are a number of good books about duplicate bridge. But I'm glad that this one, one of the first really good such books, is still available.

As the authors point out, in duplicate bridge, one routinely risks one's contract to get an overtrick, because the margin by which one beats the other pairs in one's direction does not matter as long as one beats them. Your +630 at 3 NT making 4 may be fine, beating the +620 scores for 4 of a major, while +600 (which you get by making a safety play) may well get you a zero. On the other hand, in competitive auctions, while +200 beats all part scores, you only need to double if you feel that most pairs your way will indeed get a plus score.

Those who play Acol will enjoy the recommendations made to modify it for duplicate bridge. Of course, you may already play many of them. These include a variety of competitive doubles. There are some "old" conventions, such as Swiss, Lightner doubles, and Unusual notrumps. These conventions were around for some time when the book was written (1968), but the way the authors use them is a little different from what you might expect. And some "new" (1968) conventions are suggested, such as Aspro over opponent's 1 NT opening in second or fourth position (bid 2D with spades and a minor, bid 2C with hearts and any other suit).

The book includes a discussion of relay bidding systems and gives an example of a "futuristic" system, namely the "Little Major." I think you may not want to take up this particular system, even if your tournament director allows it, but it makes for interesting reading. And the book then has a discussion of leads and signals.

Oh yes, there is a final chapter about the personal factor. Reese and Dormer give a great example. What blind lead do you make against 3 NT from:

Spades K J 6 3 Hearts Q 7 5 Diamonds J 6 4 2 Clubs 10 9

Anything could be right, so just lead something quickly and smoothly. A player who hesitates over this lead "is not cogitating" but dithering. "Meanwhile, an astute declarer will be thinking" that you do not have a five-card suit, that your four-card suits are unattractive, and that the suit you finally lead may well be short.

And a final piece of good advice has to do with your opponents. When they make a mistake, tend to be silent about it. Good manners are the same as good tactics here.

It's a good book that is well worth reading for tournament players

Literally and figuratively at 784 pages, the just-released The Bud Collins History of Tennis is the big book of the game. etween its soft covers awaits a prodigious compilation of historical tennis information, including year-by-year recaps of every tennis season, biographical sketches of every major tennis personality, as well as stats, records, and championship rolls for all the major events. FOR THE FULL REVIEW GO TO:

http://www.hofmag.com/content/view/1115/60/

Acknowledged by many pros to have been the best bunker player ever, Gary teaches it all --- greenside, fairway bunker, setup, different types of sand, etc.

Complete with great sequence photos make this a gem if you can pick one up like I did at a bargain at an outlet shop.

it's awesome...just try then evaluate your ability in the complex business world..

With a story that zips along and makes you smile on every page, this book is really fun to read whether you are currently living the nightmare of high school or want to reminisce a little about the good and the bad times of your younger years when emotions ran high and you thought your world was going to collapse every other week.

Definitely one to pick up. Congratulations Antony on a great first novel!

There are a lot of basketball books, so I don't know if this one is the best, but it's a good beginners guide. It covers all the basics in a clear concise manner. It even covers diet, injuries and stretching. The stretching section uses the clear illustrations of Jean Anderson. I read it years ago, then recently picked up a copy at my library's used book sale. I was reminded why I picked it up to start with. Nice beginners guide, by an author who wants you to learn the game correctly.

This Chicago-Evanston, IL author has written a very powerful and thought provoking book -- giving us psychological insight into the personality dynamics behind professional athletes.

It is well written -- with considereable imagery and blatant honesty. I could not put it down!

Read this book to learn how to live your life. He'll teach you his principals on becoming a champion as a person. You need a role model, A.C. Green is the man. To get more info on the book or on his foundation call 1-800-ACYOUTH

One can only be astounded by the interior of the Rezzonico. The Whitehot Audio Tour really added a whole new dimension to the experience. By having a narrative of the interior I was able to gain a better appreciation of the magificent of the surroundings. Whitehot got ir right when they developed this product.