Games Books

I purchased this book as a total beginner to pool and it has really jumpstarted my learning process. Normally I'd have learned by trial and error and would eventually develop a 'feel' for it. This book explains scientifically, geometrically and physically what is taking place on the table so that I understand what it is I'm attempting to make happen. Feel will always be necessary, that's much of the fun, but understanding the logic behind each shot is a great guide and really helps me get back online when I lose that elusive feel.

Koehler's book starts with the basics of equipment and terminology and proceeds through technique, strategy, psychology and more. One thing that I really like is that the book offers many alternatives so that I can choose the ones that suit me best, or have options when my usual approach isn't available. The author offers some opinions on which might be a better choice but provides enough information on each to allow an informed decision.

Though I'm still a beginner I am confident that this book would benefit players of all levels. I've got a pool buddy (also a beginner) that lives a few hours away. I sent him a copy of this book so that I won't have an unfair advantage next time we get together!

This technical guide is full of tables and statistics, along with lots of tips to make you shoot a better game of pool.

The book is very comprehensive going into a lot of detail and at times is very technical. There are lots of tables and statistics. However, it does a great job of explaining how the various aspects of the game impact the outcome of each shot. Things like cue ball and object ball movement, best cue stick positions for type of shot, how english and top and bottom spin impact cue ball placement, and much more. If you focus on the less technical aspects taught in this book you will come out with a much better understanding of how to shoot better pool. I'm still reading it but have learned alot and I consider myself a better than average pool player already. It is at times tough reading but you can get into it as deeply as you desire and several readings over time will glean more information.

Sometimes people feel that explaining wonderful things makes them somehow less magical, as if a bit of knowledge could rub the awe off of us. I'm inclined to disagree and fortunately for me, there's a whole genre of books devoted to the related jobs of explaining the wonderful and unravelling the mysteries behind ordinary stuff.

This book stands out in that world and also in the world of books about pool. The author has taken the ordinary, sometimes despised game of pocket billiards and subjected its truths to rigorous experimentation. He built apparatus for standardizing speed and direction of balls and developed a simple device for recording where balls struck a cushion.

Koehler's attention to details is pretty wonderful in itself. Consider this: "Theoretically, the center of the tip doesn't need chalk because it makes contact with the cue ball only when it's struck dead-center. When the cue ball is struck dead-center, there's no chance of the tip slipping off and thus, no need for chalk." A tiny matter? sure. Admire the mind behind it? you bet.

The same thorough approach can be seen in chapters like

1. Equipment
2. Shooting stance and technique
3. Pocketing the object ball
4. Shot selection
5. Cue-ball deflection path
6. English
7. Positioning the cue ball
8. Rail shot
9. Combination shots
10.Bank shots

If you love the game or if you simply marvel at a job well done, this is a book for you. Any pool player will find his or her appeite for practice increased and game improved



Lynn Hoffman, author of The New Short Course in Wine from Prentice-Hall and bang-BANG, a novel from Kunati to be published in 2007

First of all, please excuse my English - it is not my native.
I've bought this book and really happy with this purchase, even Byrne's books were not even close to improve my skills in pool. The were commercially composed so that I had to buy more and more books, but fortunately I've found "Science of pocket billiards". Beleive me, its amazing, right now with a small practice after reading this book I beat my friends.
The best one.

This book on soccer coaching is first rate! Easy to understand but NOT simplistic or dumbed down. Filled with great ideas and insights into the game for coaches AND players. I doubt there is a level of player or coach who will get this book and not find themselves flipping thru the pages picking out items and saying "I didn't know that". Well worth the price.

If you are coaching soccer for kids, and are eager to learn more about improving your own skills, this is the book to read! As you become an even better coach, your players will also benefit. The book is packed with information. The basics are well explained, and many specific suggestions are made for exercises that are fun, and at the same time provide good learning for the players. Contained in the book is also a first hand introduction to soccer that will teach you what to look for next time you watch a soccer game, and most important, a tool for improving the skills of your players in a human and friendly way. This book will improve your perception. Highly recommended!

This book includes excellent drills for skills ranging from fundamental to experienced. It also gets into a lot of game strategy, and it addresses the special situations such as throw-ins and corner kicks from offense and defense. I really like how he pulls in excellent advice and his philophy for coaching. If I had to select just one book for my coaching library, it would be this one!

This book is very good for an experienced coach or a coach of older (14+) players. It is well written, encourages coaches to have a positive attitude towards their players & the game, & includes a wealth of material. For the younger team, it doesn't encourage the "have fun & think for yourself" attitude that is enouraged in current coaching classes or by the American Youth Soccer Association.

First, I have to define intermediate. I have coached U6 and U8 for 5 seasons, and have just moved up to coach U11. I bought this book and Progressive Soccer, and this book was MUCH better. It's pretty beat up now because I refer to it constantly. It has drills and games for all the skills, and most of them start out at a low level (U8 or so) and get more advanced. Almost all of them have worked out well for our team.
I would say this is not a beginner's book, too much info and probably too in depth for a brand-new coach. Not a lot of "kiddie games" like you would use for U6 or U8. I would say U10 and up can get a lot out of this book.
My only complaint is I would like a little more in the team strategy parts and "system of play" parts, the book is a little weak on those areas, other than going through some different formations (which won't apply if you don't play 11 on 11).
Again, highly recommended for the coach moving up for the first time into the U10 age group for the first time.

This was the first book I read on the subject. It was clear and informative. It is meant for teen agers but could be enjoyed by any beginner.

This is the best book i have ever read it is the best way to begin witchcraft. This book is mostly for teens but adults may enjoy it also.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Lilith and still try to keep in contact with her.

This book is one of the best books I have read that is geared to the younger set. Also I feel this is a must-buy for beginners or just the curious.

It was a very welcomed addition to my library! It is also one of the books I often recommend to people contacting me for more information on Wicca.

This is an excellent book for young people, written with a sense of humor and style. McClelland refuses to talk down to her audience, and offers ethical advice without preaching. Don't take my word for it - I'm just an old grownup. Real teens love this book: I lent my copy to a teen-age neighbor and he carried it everywhere in the inside pocket of his coat for a month!

I purchased this book for my 9 year old son, a second generation Witch, and was fully expecting that I'd have to edit it for his consumption. After reading it I joyfully handed it over to him with no censorship and said "Go for it!" He is thrilled to have his first magick book and he has spent hours reading aloud to me from this text - an unexpected bonus. Leave trash like Teen Witch on the shelf, purchase this book and pass it on to your young ones, you won't regret it. Blessed Be

This book is a must have for every five-fold ministry gift and is reader-friendly enough for lay-Christians too! My husband and I have been in five-fold ministry for over 20 yrs. and we've found this book to be a life saver for us as we engage in spiritual warfare across the globe, ministering healing and deliverance to those attacked by demons and unclean spirits. As Pastors, we have felt comfortable enough to equip our flock with this book. What makes this book exceptionally great is that it is biblically sound, scripturally based and doctrinally secure and does not veer off into some of the extreme teachings and doctrinal error found in some of the "spiritual warfare" books on the market today. The authors stick to the Bible and does not use their personal experiences as doctrinal foundation...which is key when seeking to do ministry the way Jesus did it! Yes! We highly recommend this book for those Christains who are seeking to know how to effectively engage in warfare against demons and unclean spirits the way Jesus did...and see results! Don't delay...get this book today!!!!

This is an excellent study of the differing spirits that we fight daily in our culture. This book has been out for years, but is timeless. I taught from it in the early 1990's and here I am again, teaching it to a whole new group. Highly recommended for those who truly believe there is a spirit world we don't see, but is active in our daily lives.

The book is a must have if you pray and desire results. I found the book to be an easy read, interactive and very informative.

For those who don't believe scripture, "For we fight not againt flesh & blood but against principalities', this book is a key to help you unlock Satan's hold on aread of your life that he has held you bondage & strapped with his stronghold.

This is the best comprehensive book I've seen on this topic and I should know-I worked in a Christian bookstore! Well organized, easy to follow. You won't regret having this book as a reference on your shelf.

I didn't know how to play poker until this year. I learned the rules and played a little online, but had no idea what I was doing. I picked up Texas Hold'em For Dummies and started practicing more and more online. A couple of weeks ago I was at a casino and decided to take a seat at a real poker table.

I was nervous when I sat down and was sure I would make a lot of mistakes. I remembered the advice and strategy from this book, played my hands according to the Harlan and Derossi rules, and found that I was winning pots. In three hours of play I doubled my money and felt a lot more confident about playing poker, both real-world and online.

This is a great book to learn the basics from, and it gives the beginning player a framework for learning. It's not just a lot of rules and lists, though; there are explanations for everything the authors advise, and plenty of real-life anecdotes.

This book taught me how to play poker and gave me the confidence to actually play the game.

Harlan's text is light and fun to read, yet very useful, concise and to the point. Differently than other poker books that scare you away by starting off with a lot of math and statistics and pot odds, Harlan goes through many other important and interesting poker stuff such as optimal starting hands, betting strategy for each round and table position, reading your opponents, different sorts of game - home, online, casino - before spaeking abouth the math (which, byt he way, he does in a very agreeable way, keeping it simple and straightforward - maybe because he knows his stuff - he is an applied math degree). the book also has easy to follow examples and real life anecdotes, keeping all that poker theory closer to what the average player will encounter at next Saturday's $10 poker night over his friends. It's definitely the first book on Texas Holdem you should buy, and you'll learn an awful lot from it.

A great boof for beginners! I have just started plating poker and this book has really helped me understand the game!

Also, provides some neat strategies.

This book was a nice read and I really enjoyed some of the information that was presented in this one. Some information was new that other books, including ones that claim to teach you the secrets of the pros, decided to leave out. My only complaint is, that it being a For Dummies books makes a lot of references to "We'll cover this later" or "Head back to Chapter 7 for a review on this "

Prefacing these remarks with the fact that I know very little about any type of card game (except Crazy Eights, Old Maid and Gin Rummy) I found this book both informative and entertaining. Mr. Harlan has a way with words that educates us Dummies in a manner that is not condescending in the least. His stated assumptions that we understand the basis of a normal deck of playing cards, plus simple but detailed descriptions of how play advances at the table, make this volume an enjoyable read. The sidebar stories and trivia tidbits are classic Harlan; in fact, the reader could ignore the main text and just read the anecdotal information to learn a LOT about the game. I received the book as a gift; it is a welcome addition to my library.

So far this is the best book I've found on Vintage Halloween in the sense of information, layout and the broad spectrum of items covered. It is evident that Mark Ledenbach is truly passionate about his collection. The photos are high quality and well laid out. The information is thought provoking and facsinating to any Halloween enthusiast. I do wish there were more item information regarding usage or other interesting tidbits, however this book does give the reader what it promises.
A must have for the Halloween aficionado.

When I started discovering vintage Halloween items, I came upon Mark Ledenbach's book. It became my leading guide while investigating on eBay. On his web site I could contact him an ask for advice. He was very friendly and helpful. The photos and lay out of his book are fantastic and it is better organized then other books I own. I could not have enjoyed the beautiful graphics and usual, rare items if it were not for this book. You must purchase this whether you are a serious collector or not. Have fun!

What a wonderful book! I sell on ebay and found the book to be highly informative and the prices pretty accurate for most of the items I have come across. A must have resource for anyone who buys, sells, or collects vintage Halloween!

Price guides frequently suffer from poor photography. This book breaks the mold showing clear color photographs of amazing piece's in Mark's Collection. Halloween ephemera continues to be a popular collectible and this book should be part every collectors library.

Another Halloween has come and gone but for some people like myself, the Halloween holiday lives on 365 days a year due to my love of the holiday and my passion for Halloween décor. When I was a kid, I used to be rather afraid of the old decorations in my grandmother's house. These were quite a bit scarier than those jointed cardboard skeletons and plastic light-up pumpkins that I was used to...Little did I know then just how valuable those pieces were. When she passed away about ten years ago my wife and I scoured her house for those trinkets but alas, they were nowhere to be found, most likely tossed in the trash years ago.

Vintage Halloween Collectibles from Krause Publications is yet another outstanding edition to their library of collectibles books. When I first received the book I literally sat down for a couple of hours and just browsed through the book from cover-to-cover, looking for the items my Grandmother used to have as well as finding the few items that I've been able to collect. Collecting vintage Halloween decorations is no easy task Halloween wasn't nearly as big and commercialized decades ago as it is today. Vintage Christmas items show up endlessly at flea markets and garage sales but vintage Halloween items are much harder to come by because there just wasn't as much made, not too mention that much of it was made out of paper and simply didn't last as long.

This 256 page trade paperback book covers some 1600 items and features over 1100 full-color photos. The book lists the item with country of origin, manufacturer, date of manufacture, dimensions, current value, and, perhaps most importantly, a scarcity index on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the rarest and 5 being the most common. Naturally, the items my grandmother had fell into the common arena but still were fairly valuable, all things considered. The items are broken down into eight different category chapters including games, candy containers and figures, noisemakers, and decorations.

I found it interesting that there were so many games that involved fortune telling that were made in the 30's and 40's. This is certainly a sign of that era's infatuation with mysticism. One motif that seemed so common back in the first half of the 20the century that you don't see much today is devil and demon décor. The stereotypical red horned devil was a very common theme that has nearly disappeared from modern décor...I guess that's' a sign of OUR times. The other overwhelming common theme was the black cat. The book contains hundreds of black cat items from figurines to paper lanterns. The lanterns are things I remember distinctly from my youth and I am still amazed at the intricate detail of these rather delicate Halloween decorations. The book has dozens of examples of paper lanterns adorned by witches, black cats, pumpkins, and skeletons. These items are beautiful and Krause has done a great job with clear, beautiful photography of these rarities.

One of the most interesting chapters is simply called "A Nice Variety" because the items didn't fit into any of the other categories. These feature items such as paper aprons, candy boxes, candles and candleholders, books and magazines. The covers to the books published by Dennison's in the 20's and 30's are gorgeous. These books were geared towards the woman of the house with ideas for recipes, decorations, and Halloween games. I also loved the die-cut chapter because those are the decorations I remember my mother having as a young kid and still fondly remember. But again, those red devil die-cuts, circa the 1930's are just wonderful. These items may not be easy to find anymore, but if you do, there is simply no better resource than this book from Krause Publications.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

I bought the book and deck set as a gift for my sister 2 or 3 Christmases ago and she was just thrilled with it. Turns out she had been wanting that deck, so I got lucky!

I dont know why they are not printing this deck, this is one of the best tarot card deck i have come accross. This deck has contributed a lot to my life. Thanks to Clive Barrett.

This is a deck to have!

It has been a long held belief that Tarot originates from Egypt. Whether that is true or not is not a matter for me to decide. I have always been a big fan of Egyptian Mythology.

I have seen images from this deck on the net for quite some time now, and have wanted to buy it since then. This is quite an evocative deck and the illustrations show how much painstaking work has gone into its making. The rest of the cards are even more beautiful than what I had anticipated!

This is the best deck ever!

Keep it up Mr. Barrett!

This is the deck I use when I need some guidance. This deck integrates the knowledge of Egyptian Mythology and solidly brings it into the present life circumstances. The author has brought the history of Egypt back to life.

Alas, scientific analysis and tedious research has more or less proven the tarot has its origins elsewhere. The romance and legend of early occultist have given rise to the theory that the Tarot as we know it today came from the land of Egypt! Nothing could be farther from the truth or dearer to my heart!

I would love to think that this vast and ancient culture could have left something so significant to modern civilization. This proved not to be the case, much to my disappointment! Many still hold Egypt in high regard in many Tarot circles. Clive Barrett was undoubtedly one of them. These images he creates are beautiful and magical.

This set clearly give some insight into this colorful and mysterious culture. If there was any possible way to bring this world to life through the Tarot, this would be it. I particularly like the references to the Egyptian Gods(Neteru). This set is great for revival Egyptophiles! Use the images alone for meditation and more. The book is excellent as well!

The Tarot may not have historically came from Egypt but there are many common element between the two styles. Mainly, the use of symbolism which may not be directly related, but there is a connection. I recommend this set for scholars and mystics alike!

Now, I eagerly await the re-release of Mr Barrett's legendary and elusive Norse Tarot!

Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares
Author: Frank Murphy

Reviewed by: Brianna - a Stockbrideg Central School 3rd Grader
***


This book is about Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin was a very successful inventor. Ben invented: flippers in 1717, the Franklin stove in 1742, and found out that lightning was made of electricity. He all so started: America's first library, America's first fire station, and first hospital too he even helped Thomas Jefferson write and rewrite the declaration of Independence in 1776.
There is narration through out the book and on every page there is information. There is very little text so it is easy to read. The book is told as a story it starts when he is a boy and goes through his life. I like this book because it gives a lot of information. I recommend this book to children who would like to learn about Benjamin Franklin. So read the book or you will be missing out!!!

I love this book! It introduced me to magic squares. Sometimes they're hard but not always. I read the book in 3rd grade. We were doing math groups and Mrs. Wrigely said" Today we are doing Magic squares."
What is a magic square?" I asked.
"It is 9 cubes that all have to equal the same number." Mrs. Wrigely
And that's how I was introduced to magic squares. I recommend this book for kids 6 and above. I think that because some words may be a little challenging for kids that are 5 or 4.


Mitchell S. 4th grade

what other book can make math interesting? and funny? Mr. Murphy has done it once again with his fabulous work! A++++++++++++!
-Stephanie
Connecticut

I thought that ths book was really good! I thoght it was so interesting!! Mr.Murphy is my math teacher... and he is amazing at teaching!!! He did very well with all of the writers craft in it. In class for Language arts he encourages us to use writers crafts and he actually uses them in this book!! This book is very interesting for adults who are interested in math and Ben Franklin. It is also a great book for children who are interested in math and Ben Franklin!! I love math because it is so interesting and because I have a great math teacher!!
[...]

I THINK BEN FRANKLIN AND THE MAIGIC SQUARES IS A REALLY GOOD BOOK FOR KIDS. AND MAYBE PARENTS TOO. I READ MOST OF HIS BOOKS. HE WAS MY TEACHER IN 4TH GRADE. HE IS A VERY GOOD WRITER I THINK. HE WRITES AMAZINGLY AMAZING BOOKS. HE IS A REALLY GOOD TEACHER.


RYAN .B
HOLLAND

Not soemthing I would read cover to cover, but the individual "Hacks" that I have read are pretty good. I have lots of books along this line and this is one of the bet. I put it up there with Stu's "DV Rebels Guide" which is also incredible. If you like the Rebel guide, you will probably like this as well. Lots of good stuff. Enjoy!

Great book with great content I recommend it to anyone who want to take there film making a step forward and is to busy or lazy to download the information from the internet becaue it is all there. Spread around of course but you will find every piece of information even most of the pictures used in this book so. If you have time and dedication you can save yourself the money by looking it up on the internet.

This book covers many aspects of video. Labeling tapes, making excel spreadsheets for saving information, time code on tapes, how to achieve certain effects, lighting, and green screen effects just name a few. The book is general to most all video software and is a very usefull tool I'm glad I purchased. Don't let the term "HACKS' fool you it 's only refering to tips or tricks.

I found the book to be very practical and have the
kind of "nuts-and-bolts" pointers that I like. You
don't have to read it cover to cover (I didn't) but
can pick it up and go to the points that interest you
or where you are currently in need of help. It refers
to various "commerical products" that the author has
used to get the job done. I found this helpful. With so
many competing products to chose from it's nice to
hear, "If you get product X you'll be able to do Z,"
rather than buying and hoping (or not buying and
wondering). Kuddos to the author.

I learned so much from this book. In fact, I've already implemented several of the ideas and have had great results. If you're semi-professional (video has been added to your responsibilities but you have no experience with this medium) BUY THIS BOOK.

Who would have thought of parchment paper and clothes pins to diffuse light and create a softer, more natural light over the subject? That's just one of the great tips I've already started using.

I've bought several digital video books while trying to learn this medium, and this has been by far the most useful.

I had to grab this book, I guess it was the first? MADicine is my new favorite, with that funny and fun and sarcastic House-like Alban Bane. Love that guy! So, naturally, I had to grab The Game. Well, it's quite different in some ways. Darker, and a little bloodier, because here Armstrong is spoofing up serial killers and Silence of the Lambs. You've got to love someone who can take on Hollywood knowing it'll probably kill a book-to-movie deal, because here Bane attacks Hollywood, reality TV. I love it. Because I read this backwards, MADicine first, I miss not having Ada Kenner and Pan the rock star around to be Bane's foil, but it was nice to see big old Arm and his two adorable but disturbed teenage daughters. So, I felt at home, and Bane's just as funny here, but it is darker. Just a warning on the ending, which gets intense. But Bane's as good as ever, House-like, funny, tough, sarcastic, charming, lovable.

Derek Armstrong's The Game is thrilling and enthralling. Witty repartee and snappy dialogue create moments of brevity in an otherwise intense roller-coaster ride of a story. This book reads like an action-suspense movie; Armstrong weaves an intense tale that manages to entertain while commenting on the fascination our country has for the genre of reality television. Armstrong skewers voyeurism and it is a pleasure to go along for the ride. I highly recommend The Game to anyone seeking a great book to fall into. You won't want to put it down-- and the book leaves the door open to the sequel, MADicine, coming soon from Kunati books.

POSTED AT THE REQUEST OF ELINA McGEE: Capital punishment of a serial killer and a reality-television show with a warped twist, the setting of The Game, quickly intrigues the reader. The reality show guests, trapped in a haunted mansion, all become suspects when it becomes the scene of a copycat murder, follwed by a succession of killings. Character development of the game show participants, broadcasting crew and the pill-popping detective, Bane, with his comical sarcasm, serve to make this mystery thriller that much more captivating. When I finished the last page of The Game, I found myself wishing I could purchase the sequel immediately!

There is simply not enough humor in this world. Since the sixties, ethnic humor is tabu, or is it taboo. Somehow we decided that the frailties of human nature shouldn't be funny, whether ethnic or otherwise, leaving us with almost no subject to dump our ridicule upon. However, there is salvation on the horizon and it seems that Derek Armstrong has found it. It is reality television.

In his novel, The Game, he has focused our attention on just how utterly ridiculous reality television really is. His story is a mystery sure enough, but basically he strips the veneer from the broadcasting genre and shown it for what it is and we discover that what it is, is just silly.

Red Evans author of On Ice

Derek Armstrong provides the best reason to turn off the TV--his exciting new novel THE GAME. It's a send-up of reality television, full of murderous action on the set of "Haunted Survivor", and a thrilling ride to the climax with detective Alban Bane. Don't wait for the movie--read the book!