Bridges Books

This early example of Victor Mollo's bridge writing foretold the great works to come. This play technique tutorial remains as fresh and valuable as it was in 1955. If any of the following is true about you . . .

1) No one pays you for lessons
2) No one pays you to be their partner
3) You too often leave more money on the table than you pick up

. . . you can probably learn a thing or three in this classic from Mollo and Gardener.

The book covers different types of information a player must gather during the play.

1) the bidding. You may be able to place cards (HCP or length)

2) the opening lead. Against a NT contract, the bidding was 1NT - 3NT, usually one leads a major. But a minor was lead, what might this imply?

3) why did a player make this odd play? Why is defender not attacking this suit?

The reader is presented with their hand and dummy, the bidding and perhaps the first few rounds, then must determine how they will play the hand based on what ever information they can gather. A number of the hands require a squeeze so they may be beyond intermediate level, but others can be figured out. While I found the problems tough, they where all reasonable.

Well written, well presented, good problems.

I suggest also reading:

Countdown to Winning Bridge
How to Read Your Opponents Cards
Dormer on Deduction

Not so much instructional text, more just a set of 60 problems

This is the fourth book in the series about the bridge playing exploits of the fictional Monks of St. Titus Abbey. It follows the format of the earlier books in that each chapter contains a small number of hands played by a common set of characters in a specific setting. A bonus in this book is the first appearance of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws playing against the Sheriff of Nottingham.

As usual, the stories have all previously appeared in assorted Bridge magazines and, for book publication, they have been honed by Reese working with David Bird the original author.

One of the best aspects of this series is that the authors add a liberal quantity of wit to lighten the serious bridge content. You can read this book for the narrative with the technical problems as a bonus but it is certainly well worth trying to work out the play problems before seeing how they are solved in the book. Most of the problems should be within the grasp of a good club player and, if you get stuck on them, the narrative gives an insight into the thought processes of the players who wrestle with the problems in the book.

Despite the fact that it is one of a long running series, this book is not stale. I strongly recommend it to any bridge enthusiast who has a sense of humour.

I found this book in the Stephen Ministry library at our church. After reading it I preached a series on the topic of criticism, and we purchased a stack of them and gave one to every family in the church. Money well spent!

Diehm is specific, balanced, and honest. His writing is accessible and practical. The book is suitable for small group use.

I also recommend a book on a related topic, IF STANDING TOGETHER IS SO GREAT, WHY DO WE KEEP FALLING APART? by Tom Kraeuter, which you can get here on Amazon, but probably faster through Training Resources of Hillsboro, Missouri or through YWAM (Youth With a Mission), both of whom have websites. You can even read my review for Kraueter's book (longer than this one) on Amazon.

God bless you and the people you love! This book will help!

Written by historian Richard S. Hobbs Ph.D., Catastrophe to Triumph: Bridges of the Tacoma Narrows is a fascinating examination of the true story behind the Tacoma Narrows Bridge fiasco. In 1940, just 129 days after its creation, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge literally fell apart. Yet the flaws in its workmanship were apparent well before its spontaneous destruction - its undulations were so readily visible that it earned the nickname "Galloping Gertie". Catastrophe to Triumph reveals the inside story of government agencies that hired a New York firm to revise the original plans, who knew about the immediate danger, and why too little was done too late to prevent the bridge's final doom. Catastrophe to Triumph also recounts how a second bridge built on part of the original substructure succeeded while the first one failed. Written to be accessible to lay readers as well as engineers, and filled cover to cover with vintage black-and-white photographs, Catastrophe to Triumph is a gem of American monument and engineering history.

This book is excellent, and I use a friend's copy to teach songs, actions and movements to grades Kinder to Grade three. An excellent resource and full of short, sharp songs, some familiar and some you will not have heard of perhaps.Over 200 pages, and linked to the solfa scale, structures of songs and cativity suggestions. Very good book for music teachers, as I am.

Stewart Conn is absolutely amazing. His imagery leaves the reader with a lingering feeling of connection with everything that is presented. Conn presents us with a clear picture of life in Scotland, and gives us a mental tour of the places he has been and the experiences he has had. His poems are incredible! I highly reccommend this book and other books by him.

The photography in this book is outstanding and details the residents of this historic city and the variety of lifestyles they choose to live. For example, the photographer has chosen to feature a young man running the James River Rapids. Kudos to the editors for choosing to highlight the fact that whitewater boating is not just sport for heterosexuals. Open boating gay guys like it too.

Anyone who is confused about change and how to deal with change should consider reading this book. It is packed with clear, easy to follow explanations of the cycles a person goes through when experiencing change (such as job loss), and how they can get back on track.

Great read