Strategy

This book did have me laughing, for sure (the author's husband is a hoot). But don't let the witty title fool you: this author knows what she is talking about. This is not pop psychology! Bartlein backs up her material with experience as a therapist, and gives tons of case studies, self-quizzes, intriguing quotes, practical tips and usable solutions to help people overcome the dangerous patterns and bad habits (MythInformation) that can wreck a relationship.

"Why Did I Marry You Anyway?" is eye-opening and a very fun read (this is not another one of those relationship books that gathers dust on your bedside table).

If you are married now, or plan to be married someday, this is a must-read!

Before I go any further, you should know I am a LIFE - Master at chess, and that I teach chess to make a large part of my living.

How I got this book is a little story in itself. It was a gift from my good friend Sig, who is a bookseller from Tallahassee. He gave it to me as a gift, and it is even personally autographed by the author. At first I just glanced at it, and threw it down in my "books to read" pile.

Then one day, (a couple of months later); I just happened to pick it up and start reading. I was immediately and totally engrossed. I worked my way through like the first 3 chapters before I could even put it down.

I eventually went through the entire book. I was already familiar with many of the games in this book, but I found the analysis to be new, refreshing, and informative. The author even found many new ideas that I was not familiar with or had not seen before. (For example, see the analysis of the classic game: Boleslavsky - Kotov; Zurich Candidates Tournament, 1953 ... on page 15 of the book.)

A common assumption is that only players who play the Queen-Pawn Openings need to study this book, as the positions with the IQP only result from these types of openings. Nothing could be further from the truth. A position containing an Isolated QP is the natural result of dozens of different opening variations. For example, an IQP could result from any of the following variations: The Queen's Gambit, (Accepted & Declined); Tarrasch Defense, (to the Queen's Gambit); Reti Opening. The IQP also can arise from a French Defense, and is the natural result of many variations of the Panov-Botvinnik Variation of the Caro-Kann Defense. I could go on and give you a dozen more examples, but by now you should realize that either White or Black can get an IQP, and these formations can result from almost any opening.

This book was a major revelation to me. Having grown up under the influence of Nimzovich, I had mostly assumed that the positions containing an Isolated Queen's-Pawn, like any isolated pawn; was weak and should be avoided at all costs. (I almost never allowed myself to be saddled with an IQP, mostly as a result of what I had learned from Nimzowitsch's "My System.") This is a fallacy. For instance, take the 1974 Karpov-Korchnoi Candidates Match played in Moscow. (This match was won by Karpov by the slimmest of margins - 3 wins to 2, and was the de facto World Championship Match . . . since Fischer did not play in 1975.); Black seven times allowed himself to be given an Isolated Queen's Pawn, always equalized and never lost.

This book shows ALL the "do's and the don'ts" of this type of structure. The author has carefully and meticulously laid down virtually every aspect of the positions that contain an isolated Queen's Pawn.

The book is laid out in many chapters in three main parts. Part One discusses the advantages of the IQP. For instance, in Chapter 1 the author examines the energetic freeing advance d4-d5. In Chapter 2, we see the repeated motif of a sudden and unexpected attack on the f2 or f7-squares. In Chapter 3, we see the oft-repeated tactic of a Rook luft on the King-side. And on it goes. Seven chapters in the first part of the book, all focusing on ideas that appear constantly and repetitively in positions with an Isolated QP. In Part Two, (which is dedicated to the disadvantages of the IQP); Chapter 8; the author examines the strengths AND weaknesses of the isolani in every type of endgame that could have arisen from these types of positions, or has arisen in praxis. In Chapter 9, the author poignantly demonstrates when and where the IQP becomes weak in the average middle-game position. In Chapter 10, he shows the best methods for dealing with the Isolated QP. The Third Part of this book discusses all aspects of associated pawn structures. The author shows what types of positions can lead to an IQP, and when you should embrace them and when you should avoid them.

There are many other facets of this book that I find outstanding. The author uses many, many complete and well-annotated games to make his point. (It has always been my belief and teaching that whole games are the best vehicle to really learn the game of chess.) There are exercises at the end of each of the three sections of this book, for you to test and hone your new skills and knowledge. There are also many areas where the author will stop and elaborate ALL the ideas of a given position, so one cannot help but to learn (and be entertained) by such a narrative. All-in-all, I find this to be an above average chess book. I found almost no flaws in this book, and I found much information that even a Master of the game (like myself!) could learn and profit from!

This book receives my highest recommendation and praise. One can only hope this is the first book in a series on certain pawn patterns, and the author will continue (in the future) to educate us in the correct play of pawn structure and the proper way to play various pawn formations.

If you are trying to better learn and understand pawn structure, I can also recommend several other books, in the following order: #1.) "My System," by Nimzovich; #2.) "Pawn Structure Chess," by Andy Soltis; and #3.) "Pawn Power In Chess," by Hans Kmoch.

One other tip?....

If you are trying to learn - or master pawn play … THEN GET THIS BOOK!!!

(Warning: If you are a raw beginner, then this book may not help you much and would be something of a difficult read. Read my profile, and see my website - for a complete training plan … and what books to read ... for any level player.)

As a business and technology consultant I am often asked by clients to provide some guidelines on how to proceed in this new and fast moving industry. Is trading stocks using a wireless PDA really a secure transaction and are electronic coupons delivered to customers via cell phones a technical feasible marketing solution? What communications provider should I use when connecting my sales force via WAP based browsers to a wireless CRM solution? And should we look to Europe and Japan for the future in wireless communication, or will it turn out to be another bursting bubble as we have experienced with too many dot.com business ventures?

"The Wireless Web", unlike so many other books covering technology topics, provides an easy to read and well-structured roadmap on how to develop a winning wireless strategy. Bergeron starts off explaining the history of this industry and it's economic drivers and then provides an overview of the current state of technologies, the various systems, protocols and technical standards used in the US and compares them to the more cohesive and further developed Japanese and European technologies. The latter part of the book focuses on the future, introducing the reader to opportunities and potential risks wireless technologies will offer as well as technical and political limitations it will face as this technology matures He closes with a well structured guideline on how to develop a wireless strategy of any scale.

In summary, this book will familiarize the reader with this new and dynamic industry and provide the knowledge required to develop, communicate, and execute a successful wireless strategy. Although written for the non-technical executive, I recommend this book to every one confronted with wireless technologies, the corporate executive implementing a wireless enterprise information portal as well as the cell phone user confronted with evaluating roaming charges, communication protocols and coverage areas when selecting a calling plan. This book definitely deserves a place on the bookshelf of any technologist.

His writing style is easy to read, the concepts covered are easy to follow and apply, and best of all, he provides specific advice on the investment strategies that you need to follow to succeed in today's stock market.

Buy the book. It will be the best $20 you have spent in a long time.

Scott Magnacca's book is straightforward and gave me a lot of common sense- but not obvious- tips and ideas that I have been able to quickly use and apply to more effectively manage my portfolio and save money.

I highly reccomend it. If your planning for a "Successful Retirement" this should be required reading.

The book was an easy read and shared a variety of 'real world' examples and case studies on how to apply each of the 7 strategies.

Unlike most financial books, this book wasn't filled with numbers and formulas. Just good, practical and easy to use advice.

I especially enjoyed the chapters on "tax-efficient investing" and how to evaluate and pick a financial advisor.

Many Whites play some sort of move order to reach the Yugoslav variation of the Dragon. That's not possible against the Accelerated, since Black can play ...d5!. But there are many tactical points in those lines to make Black equalize or win a pawn right away, and I always missed them. This book will allow me to punish mistakes every White seems to make, and I like that most :).

Furthermore, this is an opening book with quite a lot of text. It starts out with an overview of typical plans for both sides, and in the analysis chapters, many moves are accompanied with a small line saying what the idea is. I know I played many moves from other books not knowing why...

And it is complete. Aside from the main Accelerated e4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 g6, it also covers lines like the hyper-accelerated (e4 c5 Nf3 g6) which I sometimes like to play to avoid 3.Bb5, in 23 pages!, and things like the dubious e4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 Nf6 Nc3 g6.

The authors are absolute Accelerated enthusiasts so maybe there is a small Black bias, but I think most people who want to buy this book play it as Black anyway. The opening is completely playable.

Now is they can come up with a book for Dino zoo (the expansion)
it would be a greater help!!