Bridge Books

There are plenty of instructional "how to" bridge books--books on how to bid, how to defend, dummy play, squeezes, and all that. This is NOT one of those books. This is the first in a magnificent series of character-driven bridge tales. S.J. Simon had some classic books of this type (Why You Lose at Bridge, etc), but the menagerie books go way beyond those of Simon.

The Hideous Hog (based on Mollo himself), the Rueful Rabbit, Papa, and the rest are wonderfully drawn, and the hands are a true delight. The Hog hates being dummy, and the Rabbit always gets remarkably lucky breaks. The Walrus is a dedicated point-counter, the Secretary Bird is a dutiful and diligent enforcer of the rules of bridge--enforcing the rules invariably backfires on him. Most of the hands have different options for play, and you'll often see radically different results. As Oscar the Owl, the main kibitzer says "Curious Hand! Both sides can make 4 hearts". The Hog will snarl bitterly about the Rabbit's lucky break "If declarer discovers prematurely that he has the ace of trumps [that card is still in the sleeve in front of the Rabbit] the contract cannot be made". You'll see slams misbid on a 3-2 fit and made.

This is a series I reread at least once a year. Mollo has a flair, a finesse (so to speak) and a delightful sense of humor. For educational bridge books, go elsewhere, but for great fun, try the menagerie!

The entire series, headed by this volume, is fantastic. I was introduced to M. Molo in 1969, and went on to buy al of his books in hardbound.

While I no longer play, it is a tribute to his skill at captivating the quirks of the table, the game and his colorful collection of players that I have not sold the set even in light of the rather high price it now commands.

Just great bridge writing, timeless too.

I read this book 5 times and I enjoyed it each time. One doesnt need to be a bridge expert to like this book. The characters are perfect and probably they cover most bridge players "types".

This book was one of the first bridge fiction books I read when I started to play this game. It still rings true 20+ years after its first release. Mollo takes the reader on a trip to his imaginary bridge club and introduces all the regular players. A must read for any die hard bridge player. The sequeal Bridge in the Fourth Dimension is equally as good.

I read this book and was just captivated by the strong women in this book. It is an amazing story of three generations of incredible women who struggled and survived many hardships. It speaks to me about the power of the human spirit. This book and the characters having continued to stay with me. This book is a must read for anyone who is looking for inspiration.

The Bridge of Beyond is about the lives of (about) three generations of Caribbean women from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. I found the book compelling for several reasons. For one, it is set in Guadeloupe and I learned a lot about that island which I previously knew nothing about. Also, the insight the book gave me into Caribbean culture reminds me of the constantly changing, pluralistic culture in which I live here in the United States. This book literally gave me big smiles, tears in my eyes, and a lot to think about. Anyone who is interested in the human condition would enjoy this book.

This book is a wonderful example of the power of womenhood, of its rewards and its downfalls. It emphasizes the bond between women and mothers and grandmothers, and shows that women can survive without a man's help. The imagery and descriptions of the land are beautiful.

Set on the French West Indian island of Guadeloupe, The Bridge of Beyond traces a century of history of the Lougandor women beginning after the end of slavery. Five generations are followed, but the main story revolves around Toussine, the woman known as "Queen Without a Name," and her granddaughter, Telumee. The surprise in the book is that the reader can end up feeling such empathy with characters not fully developed in the traditional literary sense. Schwarz-Bart's women are both long-lived and ephemeral like the fairies and witches of the fairy-tale realm. Her entire novel has an otherworldly feel to it. It is a kind of magical tribute to women, self-reliance, living, and the power of self, and also addresses the ever-present West Indian literary theme of transcendence. One of the nicest pleasures of reading the book is the total envelopment one feels with nature. Schwarz-Bart's imagery is filled with references to the sun, moon, stars, flowers, trees, rivers, waves, and the sea. The imagery is repetitious until it becomes almost a written chant in which the story lives. A truly magical literary experience with a feminist foundation.

I purchased The Bridge of Stars as a gift for my friend's young son, Harry, for his First Holy Communion. The book is so well written and thought out, and will provide him with inspiration and comfort as he ages and goes on his journey through life.
So impressive is this book, that I will be adding to my own collection.

As a student of theology, a writer of poetry, a mother to three children, and a collector of beautiful books, The Bridge Of Stars is a wonderful addition to my library. In my quest to instill in my children the oneness of all people, I find that prayers, hymns, and poetry from around the world reveal to them the common beliefs, hopes, and dreams we all share.

Apart from being a remarkable collection of writing, this book is probably the most artistically abundant book of its kind. Among the images that adorn each page you will find flowers, waterfalls, landscapes, and even the magical quality of a rain-drenched spider's web.

This masterpiece was well thought out, with the perfect placement of text among the artwork. The words and images combined create a feeling of peace and tranquillity, as well as a connectedness to all of nature. For example, the poem/prayer One Equal Light by John Donne is accompanied by a photo of sunlight flowing through the limbs of trees in a peaceful wood.

For all with an interest in spirituality, this book of art, poetry, and nature is a must-have addition to your shelf!

The selections are beautiful prayers as well as beautifully written poetry. The illustrations are breathtakingly serene. Open to any page and just start reading! The process is refreshingly simple, but relaxing. The book also serves as a great resource for finding the perfect words for expressing your thoughts and feelings. I have found passages appropriate to include on a card to my son's teacher, an admired co-worker, and best friend! The feelings expressed are multi-cultural and timeless. For example, a prayer for forgiveness, written in the 6th century in Persia, is as much relevant today as it was when it was written. You will definately want your own copy, but it would also make an excellent gift for anyone from your mother to a close friend.

In the many dark days which followed the atrocities of September 11th, when the American spirit looked for truth, it became a mantra of the people, "We must try to understand." We may never fathom the actions of fanaticism, and few of us have the preparational groundwork to fully comprehend the religious differences offered as an excuse for war, but one thing is certain: we need to go beyond the differences to build a better future. Marcus Braybrooke affords us the opportunity to take a step towards that goal in his compilation of prayers, blessings and meditations, The Bridge of Stars.

The Bridge of Stars is an invaluable tool in seeking to discover what can bind us together as children of one World, one Creator. Providence certainly played her part in the book's timely creation. Now we simply need to build the bridges. It is amazing how many times, as we build from one end, we encounter a stranger building from the other, and, as two worlds connect, we have a pathway.

Marcus Braybrooke, a parish priest in Oxford, England, has spent over thirty years, and many miles, urging the world toward a greater understanding of the need for Interfaith Dialogue. As reader you will enter that dialogue with voices from many sources, spanning many centuries and treating topics common to all. Each voice, or prayer, visually presented in a creative format which enhances the particular theme, will resonnate with the sense of unity which connects us to the Scource. Call your Creator what you may, in this compilation culled from many different traditions, there is no attempt to draw you into one direction or another, but to speak directly to the heart. The Bridge of Stars is a book which speaks to you, not around you; for you, not in place of you. Where so much inspirational literature these days is emotional disguised as spiritual, Bridge of Stars is spiritual to the core. It will lift you, rejoice with you, comfort and console you, and as you find the Creator, whom you name as you will, in the prayerful words of a Hindu or a Buddhist, a Native American, a Moslem, a Jew or a Christian, you will understand and know that I AM.

To find a voice: Read also Learn To Pray, by the same author/editor, a companion book to The Bridge of Stars.

- very clear explanations of each family of squeezes

- discussion of how they are different from other families (Simple, vs Double, Squeeze without the Count vs ...)

- LOTS of examples

- LOTS of problems

- LOTS of variations (different types of squeezes in each family). For example different types (names/variations) of Double Squeezes


A fabulous book. There is so much there that you wont be able to remember many of them. Thats ok, start with just Simple squeezes. Then add Double or Strip Squeeze or anotehr family from the first few chapters.

Because of the nature of squeezes I would love a companion workbook with 500 problems. OR better yet a souped up set of deals for Bridge master.

A classic, 5 stars

I didn't use to know how to do or look for squeezes. Now I do. It may have come from playing more. It may have come from trying harder. I think it came from this book.

Of course, Watson covers squeezes, briefly. This book is all about squeezes, in a very engaging way. And while I may not be able to tell you the difference between a stepping-stone and a suicide squeeze, I now know what to look for in a squeeze, the distribution the opponents need, and how to actually perform at least simple squeezes whenever they present themselves.

The techniques are clearly presented, with lots of good examples. At the end of each section is a set of problems for the reader to solve. The book is entertaining to read, which is difficult for a book on Squeeze play!

The only drawback was since each chapter was specialized (i.e. Criss Cross Squeeze) the reader knows the exact technique required. It might have been betetr to have had a mixed problem set after every 3 chapters, so the reader wouldn't be sure if they had to perform a double squeeze or a simple squeeze.

Terence Reeses Squeeze Play Made Easy is also excellent.

Clyde Loves Bridge Squeezes Complete may have been a classic 40 years ago, but there are better books available today (like this one).

David Bird does a great job of introducing squeezes in a non-threatening, easy-to-follow manner. He explains the mechanics of the various types in a straightforward way and doesn't get hung up on the nitty-gritty technical details. Instead, he focuses on providing example hands that are followed by a thorough explanation and which clearly illustrate the principles being discussed. I especially enjoyed the "The Stars Come Out to Play" section of each chapter, which showcases hands played successfully by expert players using the various types of squeezes. The quiz hands at the end of each chapter are also well done and do a good job of reinforcing the lessons presented.

I am currently taking a 300 level course on proofing and Bridge to Abstract Mathematics is one of the required texts. This book is an excellent introduction to proofing. There is a huge intellectual leap between 200 level and 300 level proof based math courses that is often very difficult for college math students to make. This text does an wonderful job of bridging that gap. Many teachers and curriculum's in proof based courses expect students to somehow magically pick up the art and skill of proofing on their own. Morash takes the time to show the logic and art behind proofing that teachers often don't or can't teach. (Because they consider it trivial or they don't really understand it themselves!) The logic sections can be boring if you're not into truth tables but it is infinitely useful material if you want to learn to proof well. I've seen other books on proofing and they don't hold a candle to this one. Many of my math profs. recommend this book because it is the one they learned from when they were undergrads.

I am currently taking an Intro to Abstract Mathematics course and am using this book as a supplement. All of the topics are VERY well explained and to the point. I refer to this text more than I do my lecture notes and the appointed text for the class. I also have two other books on the subject and this text is by far the best in my opinion. If you want clarity, I recommend this book.

This is an excellent book to help guide a student through the upper division mathematical courses.

Simply a must for any upper division math student or any one heading into rigorous theory.

I found this title in the Judaica section of my local bookstore and was immediately enthralled... and no, I am not Jewish.

I am, however, a writer - and Karyn Kedar shares her call to write this book when she says, "Write. About forgiveness. Write. A subtle echo of new life. Write." and I think every writer who has experienced a spiritual call will know, will understand, will nod alongside these words.

YES! Write, we say, enthusiatically.

This impressive book is about forgiveness without forgetting. It is about healing and wholeness. It shares its message through a combination of instructive prose, poetry (almost like songs or psalms) and a memoir style of writing.

I couldn't help but write quotes as I read along - for example.... "Acceptance is the compassionate embrace of yourself and your place in the world: without judment, without fear, without regret. You are who you are. You are not who you are not."

Simple, yes. Strong? Indeed!

This universal message will (I hope and pray) find its way into the hands and hearts of readers of all faiths. Read it, embrace it, live it.

This perceptive book is about more than forgiveness, it shares life affirming lessons, insights and inspirations. As you journey across the bridge to forgiveness, its thought provoking teachings will motivate the reader to feel, to assess and to act. The poetic and succinct writing makes this challenging subject both approachable and an enjoyable reading experience.

"Forgiveness is an intricate dance through pain and anger and loss. Let hope be your partner. Let joy take the lead." Karyn Kedar's Bridge to Forgiveness contains so many gems like this that you will never see forgiveness in the same way. Her bridge is a guide to finding peace after pain, and, like her previous two books, is very inspirational. I highly recommend the book.

Forgiveness is a concept that, until now, I never really thought too much about. Sometimes I forgive, sometimes I don't, but I never really thought about the implications of that choice. This book was therefore a real treat that took me on a tour through the steps of forgiveness. With anecdotes, prayer, and her personal thoughts on the subject, Karyn Kedar has helped me understand that forgiving does not equate to weakness. In fact, forgiving demonstrates an inner strength that would otherwise go unnoticed. Thanks for a great, thought provoking book on this topic!

This book was fun to read, and it was interesting to learn how David Paterson himself was the inspiration for Jess in the book. It's not quite as in-depth as I hoped it would be (it's not even very thick), but if you love the movie it's fun to have.

This is a great book to understand the story behind the movie, and the story behind the story as well.

You want to be on the "in" to knowing about all things Terabithia? Well, be sure to get this book. Make sure you have read the book, "Bridge to Terabithia" as talking about events which take place both in the book and in the movie will spoil what happens if one is already not familiar with the book. The pages are filled with photographs, both of filming and behind the scenes. This book is nicely done and was written by David Paterson, the person who wrote the screenplay of the new movie, who is also Katherine Paterson's (the author of "Bridge to Terabithia") son whom the Newberry winner book was partially dedicated to in addition to another person. My one complaint, if I had a complaint, would be that I wish that this book was longer though it is 47 pages long-which is long for a behind the scenes type of book. I throughly enjoyed the book and I am in my early twenties. My niece who is eight, read the book this afternoon and enjoyed it as well. The back of the book says that it is for ages eight and up which I think is appropriate given the sensitive nature of the book that the movie is based on and the fact that they reference events from the book and movie in this companion book. Excellent for those who are awaiting the movie's release!

If you have seen the updated version of "Bridge to Terabithia," then you probably know what a rare, landmark film it really is. Geared for children, yet easy for people of all ages to identify with, it is one of those special stories that sticks with you.

The writing of an appropriate screenplay was possibly the most important element of making this a successful transition from the popular children's book, and nobody was more qualified for the job than David Paterson, the son of the author Katharine Paterson (not to mention the inspiration for the Jess Aarons character).

Not many people know just how much anguish this man has gone through with the true-to-life events of the book and movie, but a somewhat stronger image is painted through this book. Though it is short, it is a nice companion to the film and goes behind the scenes from David's point of view. There is some information about Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb, two gifted young actors who essentially carried the entire film with their dead-on performances in the lead roles. I truly believe that the movie could not have been made nearly as well without them--particularly Josh Hutcherson, whose obvious connection with this character is evident from beginning to end. You hear about actors who have the gift of communicating a message with their eyes and facial expressions, but this young actor really has it down cold. I give him a lot of credit for what he did with this character.

This book also talks a bit about the film's special effects, the cast and crew, and the inevitable challenges that came with putting the movie together. It was not enough to just get the cast and start filming; it was a deliberate process, and with a story as important as Katharine Paterson's, it needed to be done the right way. With David's well-written script--along with the hard work and talents of everyone involved--they managed to get it just right, and it is one of the rare book-to-film cases that does genuine justice to the original author.

All in all, this is a great book to buy if you are (like me) a huge fan of the movie and would like a little something more. It includes a lot of nice pictures, along with some brief quotes from both the book and movie. Throughout it all, though, the prominent voice is from David Paterson himself, who really is the heart and soul of the entire thing. There's one line of his from this book that says it best: "When people meet me today and learn about the connection between my life and Bridge to Terabithia, many times their response is 'Wow. You're the original Jess. That's cool.' They mean it in a positive way, but it's like seeing a scar on somebody and remarking that the scar looks cool. They don't understand the pain that caused it."

Indeed, David's story is bittersweet, and this book is one way to get a little more insight on what this man went through when he lost his own "Leslie Burke"--his best friend. Nothing hits home quite like a film that reflects a true story, and through the tragedy of it all, this memorable story was able to be written. A lot of people have come to know Terabithia and be inspired by its message, and when you think about how beautiful that is, it truly starts to make sense when David Paterson says that "some gifts come in two forms."

I highly recommend this item, as well as the book and movie that made it possible in the first place. Terrific job to Katharine and David Paterson for bringing the story to life, and may it continue to touch people's lives for years to come.

If your game is based on discipline with a little open mindedness and flexibility thrown in, Bill August's book on bidding is an excellent reference. If not, this book is a must.

Any player, whether beginner or advanced, can profit from reading this book. It teaches not only the structure of bridge but also how to think conceptually about the game.

Bill August has that rare capacity that enables a master player to be a good teacher. He has a common sense approach that lets novice, intermediate and expert players hone their bidding abilities to a sharper and more accurate degree. The examples are easy to follow and make for a better understanding of the bidding principals they are meant to illustrate. If there is any degree of uncertainty in your bidding, this book is a must for you.

This is a simple and direct presentation of natural bidding using nothing but logic and reason. It is a presentation which explains the "hows" and "whys" for each action and anyone can learn to be a better player doing nothing but following the "show and tell" concepts.

Tom Phelan makes those terrible times come to life in a very special way with this novel. The characters are engaging, the story first rate. He clearly has done his homework, and this is a very moving book. It is one of the saddest things I've ever read.

Canal Bridge was an amazing book about an Irish story one never hears about or sees in the movie -- Irish in World War I -- fighting for the British against the Germans -- but it was more than that -- it was their Vietnam -- an unpopular war, an angry populace. Yet this is also a fierce love story told through multiple points of view, between lovers, friends, neighbors. Also amazing -- the author is 90+ years old! Not that that should matter in a book, but it's a wonderful tidbit. READ THIS wonderfully written and compelling book!!

I absolutely loved this book, from the first page to the last. Mr.Phelan has honed his writing skills and sharpened his pen (well, computer) to produce this excellent novel of a small village in Ireland and the folks of same who lived through World War I. The writing is good. the storyline crisp, and the characters well defined.
Good job!

The Irish Independent calls Tom Phelan's THE CANAL BRIDGE "Another First World War masterpiece....An ambitious, accomplished and deeply moving contribution to Ireland's formidable corpus of fiction about the Great War."

Books Ireland, the magazine of the Irish publishing industry, describes THE CANAL BRIDGE as "a powerful and deeply affecting novel."

The Irish Emigrant says THE CANAL BRIDGE is "a masterful story...Must be ranked among the more successful of the novels dealing with the First World War."

About a quarter of a million Irish men served in the British army in World War One, and about 35,000 died. Tom Phelan's gripping new novel, THE CANAL BRIDGE, tells the story of two Irish stretcher-bearers (and the lovers and families they leave behind) as they struggle to survive the slaughterhouse that was Europe from 1914-1918.

Due to political divisiveness, Ireland has no tradition of honoring the memory of its WWI soldiers. In writing The Canal Bridge, Tom Phelan has raised awareness of these men and paid tribute to them.

If Domination and submission mixed with admittedly kinky sex are your cup of tea then this book is for you! A young and unjaded woman is introduced to the joys of depravity by an English Baron. Some very graphic language, but the author still manages to do it in a tasteful manner. Definitely belongs on your bedside table!

Fredrica's book was recommended to me as an aspiring erotica author. I loved it! The sub/dom scenes were well written and the book was HOT. If this is your cup of tea (as another reviewer put it) then it is a definite read!

This is erotica at its very best, with great characters who come to life right from the start. It's the story of how Cassandra, an innocent young woman initially employed as a governess to the Baron's two young children, is quickly drawn into a world of sexual domination, where pain and pleasure go hand in hand. As she struggles to learn the ever-changing rules of the Baron's sex games, Cassandra realises that this is a world she actually enjoys, and a world she doesn't want to leave. However, the Baron's fiancee Katya has other ideas, and only one of them will remain with the Baron when the games come to an end.The question is, how far is Cassandra prepared to go to make sure that it's Katya who has to leave? There is something for everyone in this highly arousing and well written book. Once I'd started reading it, I couldn't put it down! More please, Fredrica!

In London, her husband Paul Williams tells Cassandra she is frigid; that it her fault he is leaving her for Louise. When she says she has no prospects having never held a job, he coldly tells her not to sell her body as she will starve to death.

Not long afterward, Cassandra applies for a job as a governess to two small girls four years old Helena and two years old Christina, daughters of Austrian widower Baron von Ritter. However, as he offers her the position and she accepts, Cassandra is unaware that the previous governess Abigail was fired because she failed at the sex games, he and his mistress Katya play with the staff. She and her two little charges bond so when they are sent to Austria to visit their family, they are upset as they do not want to leave their governess behind. Although she misses the children whom got into her heart, Cassandra has little time to dwell on her feelings for her preschool companions as the Baron seduces her into joining the sexual games. Although she does not understand the rules, Cassandra has promised the two little girls she will be there for them when they return. She is the first governess with a non-selfish reason to win the sexual contests even as she does not grasp the rules that the Baron and his mistress keep changing.

This is a fascinating erotic character study that looks deep into the soul of the triangle formed when Cassandra replaces Abigail as companion to the girls. The Baron realizes the newcomer is different as Cassandra does not hide her warm motherly affection for the young girls; Katya sees her as another disposable servant for them to abuse. Fans will enjoy Fredrica Alleyn's intriguing heated contemporary while wondering whether Cassandra will triumph especially since she holds a non-sexual ace in the hole.

Harriet Klausner