Lawrence Cohen is revolutionizing parenthood. I have a 3 year old son and a 10 month old daughter. My son is going through a tough stage right now therefore, we are all going through a tough stage! PLAYFUL PARENTING has changed my way of thinking when it comes to dealing with behaviour problems. Two weeks ago I would see my son throwing toys or pushing his sister over and I'd have to count to ten to cool off and then I'd go into a well hashed routine of "Why? That's mean. Would you like it...? etc." Now I am able to get behind the behaviour and see a child who needs love and reassurance, or "his cup filled" as Dr, Cohen outs it. I have read many parenting books and will continue to do so but if I had to chose only one book as the most important and helpful book a parent can read, this would be it.

Here is an example of how my thinking and actions have changed since reading this book. For about two months my son was in timeout so often that as soon as he saw me giving him that look of annoyance he'd start off for the bottom step of out staircase, the" "timeout" step. He would always get the talk about being mean and because of the way I was phrasing my "lectures" he began to answer my question of "Why?" with "Because I like being mean." This really disturbed me. After reading just a few pages of PLAYFUL PARENTING I began to use new language and started suggesting reasons why he might be acting out aggressively. He embraced this new approach. I began asking things like "Are you feeling angry and a little left out because I was holding your sister?" His response was so different than the beligerent "I like being mean." He began crying, wanted to be held and would start talking about feeling sad and how he didn't want me to hold baby sister. I can say without hesitation that our lives have changed because of this book. Thank you Dr. Cohen!

I whole heartedly recommend this book to ALL parents. Dr. Cohen's ideas completely changed the tone of our household. We were going through a very difficult phase with our 3 year old that was turning into a downward spiral of negativity. Nobody liked the way things were going. We'd read a mountain of "discipline" books, none of which was helpful in our situation. However, reading & following through on Dr. Cohen's book helped us completely turn our situation around - we now have a very HAPPY, joy-filled and fun home. Using the suggestions in this book I was better able to understand my daughter's behavior and I used many of his suggestions to connect with her. She has literally *blossomed* under this treatment - she's just a fantastic, happy little girl.

I am SO grateful to Dr. Cohen - he has helped me to become a much, much better parent and has given us a whole arsenal of wonderful parenting tools to help shape our children in very positive ways. If I could pick only one book on parenting and discipline, this would be it.

This is a great book! It provides a refreshingly new look at how to connect with your children and have fun while you're doing it.

After reading numerous parenting books, I can recite the usual themes - set realistic limits, provide praise when merited, focus criticism on behavior and keep it brief, be honest, offer choices, blah, blah, blah. They're all good points, but being a responsible parent should not be all there is. Most parenting books ignore the importance of having fun with your children. It's something we're all supposed to just HAVE in our relationships with our children, and then we're disappointed when it's not there as often as we would like.

PLAYFUL PARENTING transcends these usual parenting shibboleths and supplies lessons on how to accomplish something we all yearn for - connection and fun! This book provides simple, easy to use techniques for connecting with your children and having fun while you do it. Like Dr. Doolittle with animals, Dr. Cohen understands the different language that children speak. That language is play. He explains that we need to learn to speak that language if we're going to connect with our children and be truly effective. As adults, we too often lapse into lectures and explanations (sound familiar?) when a playful approach will make us a more effective teacher. Typical of strategies provided in the book is one I now use with my children. Whenever they use some provocative word like "poopyhead" (or something much worse), I respond by saying in a conspiratorial tone "Well, you can say that if you want, but don't ever, EVER, say zoogililoo". Of course, they immediately say it, we all laugh, they get over the need to provoke, and we've connected in a knowing way.

PLAYFUL PARENTING also recognizes that children are often powerless in their relationships with parents and it provides excellent strategies for giving children more control. One strategy described in the book is called "Playtime", which is one on one time a parent sets aside with a child, in which the child gets to make all the decisions about what to do and the parent can not say "no" (basic safety considerations still apply, of course). I tried Playtime with my five year old son one Sunday afternoon and had a wonderful bonding experience with him - doing things such as swimming on a cold day (though I would have rather stayed warm and dry) and letting him hold the train ticket (though I was afraid he'd lose it). For Dr. Cohen understands parents, too, and knows that we all too often say "no" for the wrong reasons - we're tired, bored, or lacking energy. The strategies in this book, like Playtime, will challenge you to stretch yourself as a parent - but with bigtime payback! My son now asks for Playtime every weekend.

I was fortunate to be able to read a prepublication manuscript of PLAYFUL PARENTING last summer. I have employed many of its strategies to great effect with my two boys, ages 5 and 3. I have expanded my repertoire of skills for handling difficult situations, and have a more proactive approach to bonding with my children in ways that we all enjoy. I highly recommend this book to any and all parents. It would make a great gift, especially for those just getting started with the parenting challenge.

What can I say? This is simply the greatest. If you collect role playing games, you absolutely have to have a copy of this book. The only question I have is -- when can we look for a sequel??? Mr. Schick, take pity on us and give us an update, please!

I began role-playing in the late seventies, when all of the earliest role-playing games were still available for sale. Reading "Heroic Worlds" is like returning to those early days, both in its comprehensive listing of every role-playing game release available up through 1990, and in its evocation of the state of the art of role-playing games in its early days. This book is bound to be a classic for a number of reasons: one, it's the only place that will serve the collector hoping to buy every single supplement for their favorite game; two, it's the best history available on the subject, even today; and three, it will serve the game designers of the future, in seeing what has already been done, and what still remains to be done. It's a wonderful read, as well. Now all we need is a second edition, that updates the subject to the present day!

What can I say? When you see a work like this on a hobby you're passionate about, you pick it up, and hope it's good. Schick delivers the goods here, but I would have liked to have seen more commentary from more people. Hopefully, like the other reviewer here, there will be a sequel for the past 9 years, there having been a real boom in certain games (White wolf, Deadlands, etc....)

This book is quite simply a treasure.

I used to have an older copy of this same book, but after nearly 30 years it practically disintegrated, so I purchased a new copy.

The first thing was that I was impressed by the quality of this new edition. A nice flex-cover, clear, white pages with a very clear font, diagrams ... nothing seems to have been missed. You even get a few black-and-white photographs.

The games are as carefully and lovingly annotated as any player could want. (Sometimes there is literally a comment after every move!) Additionally, you get a constant update as to the times the players took on each move. (Any serious tournament player could try to model themselves from this ... knowing when to think and when not to is important information for any competitor in rated events. Most books do NOT give you this kind of information!)

Some reasons NOT to buy this book:
# 1.) If you are a bare-bones beginner, there are many much better books out there that are probably better suited for teaching you the game. (But I do not see how anyone who seriously applied himself or herself would not improve after a careful study of this book.)
# 2.) Do not buy this book thinking casual study will turn you into this type of player. These two were the paragon of chess. Studying these games will help you improve, but statistically your chances of playing at this level of chess is very small, the odds are greater that you will win a lottery. (But the explanation ... AFTER EVERY MOVE - in some cases - will certainly be an eye-opener for most students.)
# 3.) Don't buy this book thinking it is the latest in chess theory, many of these lines are NOT being played today!!!

The main reason you would want to purchase this book is that you love the game and would like to study Tal's exquisite notes ... some of the best ever written by a competitor at this level. THIS IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST BOOK ON ANY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - - - PERIOD!!!!! I would think that this is a book you would come back to again and again and again!

This is a really fine book. I agree with the other reviewers and will try not to just repeat what has already been said above.

There are so many things to enjoy about this book- the notes and comments by Tal are magnificent. It is very interesting to get "inside his head" as he discusses not just the moves, but moods and psychology of the players and match.

The type font and the diagrams are all first rate. In addition to the 21 games contested during the actual world championship, there are another 23 supplemental games between Tal and Botvinnik included at the end of the book.

The notes to the moves are just the right mix of words and analysis. Many modern books go overboard on analysis and skimp on the verbal commentary. This might be fine for players rated 2000 USCF and above (if you don't know what this means - trust me you aren't rated up there!), but for the vast majority of players it just sets the head spinning and provides no useful cues to help evaluate a position.

This book has enough analysis to be useful, but backs it up with much verbal commentary explaining the motives behind the magic (er, the moves) by Tal.

If you are looking to pluck down $ 20.00 or so for a great chess book, this one should be on your list of candidates!

With the advent of computers, it is easy for writers to produce books that contain copious amounts of analysis. Never mind that in many cases, the annotations are often of the "look at me analyzing a position that never happened to show you that I can analyze" variety.

This book is not such a case. Tal concentrates on the here and now of the match, occasionally going into some detail (It should be noted that Tal had no computer help when he wrote this, not that it would be needed) but usually giving verbal descriptions of the position and the psychological apsects of playing certain moves/openings.

It would be a shame not to own this book.

The definitive book on when to keep the bidding open.

I just complete reading this book today. Even though now it's 21st century, this book stands well. You can find every situation you 'll encounter at the bridge table everyday. The dangerous and safe suits theory is one of the only two ways you should follow in auctions. It will enable you not losing your IMPs, MPs or even money. Trsut me, not those specular or fantasic declare's plays make you win, but those competitive biddings and solid defenses make you win. If you want to be a winner at table, buy this one and Mike's another book 'Complete book on Overcall'. Of course, 'To bid or not to bid','Kantar teaches Modern Denfese' and 'Kantar teaches Advanced Defense' also will make you a winner. And those classic 'Abbott' series just can amuse you and won't make you a winner.

Lawrence is probably the best writer on the game of bridge today. All his books are world class, but this is one of his best. Balancing is rarely discussed in bridge books, but presents difficult problems. Using the same style he used in "The Complete Book of Hand Evaluation," Lawrence examines all the common balancing situations. He discusses hand evaluation, planning a balancing auction, and common understandings (and misunderstandings). Lawrence's tone is never dogmatic: the emphasis is on specific examples and how to analyze situations rather than on mechanical rules. Where there is a choice of methods, he says so, discusses examples, the consensus approach, and his personal reference. Where a problem has no good solution, he does something unusual for a writer about games, he says so! Anything by Mike Lawrence is worth the money!

The classic book on overcalls. Excellent advice on non-vulnerable overcalls at the one level and on which overcalls to avoid. Newer players might want to start with Edgar Kaplan's Competitive Bidding in Modern Bridge

This book is probably the best book on bridge ever written. There is so much insight in this book that you will have to re-read it time and time again each time adding to your own insight in not only overcalling but the game as a whole. The style is lucid sometimes nonchalant; Lawrence gives insight into his own considerations when making bidding decisions and makes it clear that many decisions are not absolute. But following the logic and type of arguments he presents you will get more and more decisions right. I strongly recommend this book to every bridge player who aspires to improve his or her game.

This comprehensive work on overcalls actually transcends the subject and gets near to the inner essence of bridge, as few other books do (Kelsey and Ottlik's Adventures in Card Play is another). The principles of what makes a good overcall vs bad ones are laid out in clear and linear fashion, such that the information can be put to IMMEDIATE use by the reader. Your game cannot fail to improve. Best of all, the author does not gild his ideas with contrived example hands constructed only to validate them. He honestly presents each recommendation in its best and worst light. Please buy this book! (and read it twice).

Mike Lawrence is one of the most intelligent authors I have ever read (and I read a lot). This is also one of his better-organized and readable books (surprisingly his first book). Reading this book will teach you how to think at the table. Counting is a skill that separates the novice from the expert, and this book goes a long way towards teaching you that vital skill. This book is among my three favorite Mike Lawrence books, the other two being "Play Bridge with Mike Lawrence", and "Play a Swiss Teams of Four With Mike Lawrence". Another vital skill taught here is deduction. A simple but very useful example: as declarer if you are missing AK of a side suit, and the opening lead is something else, then either the opening leader is missing both cards or the honors must be split, else the A or K would be the natural lead (assuming neither defender has bid).

This widely acclaimed book is a revelation into how to read subtle clues about card placement. You will guess right more often when you understand the principles in each chapter. This book is guaranteed to improve your game. 1973 Bridge Book of the Year.

This book will help you reduce your guesswork at the table by showing you how to recognize and take advantage of the many clues available from the bidding and play. Worth reading.

I thought I was read all great writers for this misteries, crimes and all those, but Sanders has become one of my favourites ones (the first of course is Raymond Chandler). I'm going to read all his books!

This book is actually a collection of three stories about Wall Street investigator Timothy Cone. Originally issued in 1988, it was written when Lawrence Sanders was at the peak of his writing career (before he started insulting his fans by cranking out pot boilers). The stories concern various intrigues on Wall Street - insider trading, stock manipulation and short selling, and corporate takeovers and greenmail. The plots are well developed and well written, and the characters are interesting.

All the other so-called mystery writers should read Sanders' Timothys as Bible, but should not read any of his McNallys

A must for any serious player. Good advice on every aspect of reevaluating your hand as the bidding proceeds by one of the most readable of all bridge authors.

This book is superb; the author's thoughts flow through my mind during every auction, competitive or not. He discusses in detail, for example, when a holding of xxx in a suit opened by opponents is terrible, neutral, or mildly positive. The studious reader will understand why a hand which opened 1 Spade with xxxxxx in spades improves vastly more than a hand which opened 1 Spade with KQJTx when partner raises Spades vigorously (in Lawrence's words, "Beware the short stubby suit.") Attention to the principles carefully explained and extensively illustrated (sometimes the same hand is given with half a dozen different auctions to explain evaluation niceties) by Lawrence will vastly reduce your phantom sacrifices, -800s when dummy hit with "all the wrong cards," and +1370s which delight your teammates, who were -630 defending 3NT at the other table when their opponents never looked for a minor-suit slam.

Many players think there's little more to hand evaluation than counting points. This suits me fine when those players are my opponents. But when one of them is my partner, I wish he or she had read this book.

Mike Lawrence has written quite a few bridge books, and most are quite good. This is one of the best. It's clear, concise, and replete with stuff that makes sense when you see it, but that you may not have thought of yet. What more could you ask for?

I bought two books for my son (7) and daughter (5) to help continue their developing interest in chess. The two books are Chess For Children and How to Beat Your Dad at Chess. The latter turned out to be too advanced for my kids, but Chess For Children is exactly what my kids needed to learn about the game. Written by teachers in Lincolnshire, England, the book uses great techniques to help children understand basic skills. My children already know how to set up the board and how each piece should move on the board, but the methods in Chess For Children help them go beyond "how" a piece moves to "why" they should move it.

For example, the book features the Lincolnshire System, or the "Pawn Game", teaching kids to play with only the pawns. This method develops an understanding for how to use pawns in concert and how quickly the picket line can dissolve when a player doesn't ensure the pieces mutually support each other. The authors also present several other interesting techniques for teaching youngsters how to maneuver (instead of move) knights, rooks and bishops around the board. My daughter's favorite game is the Mad Queen, pitting the queen on one side against all of the pawns of an opponent. The opponent must attempt to get one pawn to the far side before the queen kills them all.

My kids love the games and techniques outlined in Nottingham's book. The authors weave a mix of chess history, years of enthusiasm teaching youth, along with the basics of chess. The product reflects a wealth of experience and a passion for both children and the game of chess. Bravo! Highly recommended!

I bought this book because I did not want to teach my son poor chess habits. He did not read it (to the best of my knowledge), but I was able to extract a few important things in an appropriate order to tell him as we played. I enjoyed reading it too! Results? My son presses me very hard at chess: if I don't concentrate he trounces me. Sometimes even if I do not have a break in my concentration he still wipes me off the board.

How experts think when defending. Recommended for all levels.

You sit, mentally, at the author's elbow while he shares pearls of wisdom on knotty defensive problems that come up frequently at the bridge table. The great merit of this book is that it doesn't just tell you what to do in a mechanical sense, it guides you in how to think and base your defense on inferences and deductions. I have read it 5 times and gained incremental benefit each time. The exposition is lucid and cogent. Get two copies and give one to your favorite partner.