This may be the best chess book ever. I glance over my shoulder at a pile of 50+ chess books that I've purchased over my two year affair with the game of chess. Of these, only a few stand out as being truly worth the time and money. One offers such an exceptional value that I suggest it to everybody: Lasker's Manual of Chess. The prose is stilted and out of date, the section on the openings is wanting, and it starts out with directions for how to play...BUT the sections on combination, positional play, and the model games have few equals. I love endgame studies and this book is full of them. This book never fails to get me out of a rut. BTW, take the positional advantage diagrams and play them out against your chess computer for a fun lesson.

If you love chess, do yourself a favor and pick up this, Tarrasch's Game of Chess, Nunn's Understanding Chess Move by Move, Howell's Essential Chess Endings, and Kotov's Art of the Middlegame. They may be all the chess books you ever need.

"Lasker's Manual of Chess" is my favorite chess book. Unlike many chess players, I only own a few.

It begins with the elements of chess: the pieces, how they move, and the essential advantages and disadvantages of positions the player will likely find himself in. Curiously, Lasker discusses the square. All of chess revolves about going from one square to another, and Lasker presumes (rightly so, i believe) that to know the end well, the player must see the very beginning at its core.

He goes on to explain the why and what-fors about openings. He presents the opening concept both as a theory to muse over, and as a practical matter of setting things in such a way as to increase your likelihood of winning. He explains "Sortez les pieces" (Get the pieces out), and other 'rules' of chess.

Like a Mark Twain book review, he feels in complete candor permission to question 'compilers', those players who memorize every variation of boardplay and win by the ability to study. He contrasts these players with those with natural talent, who he apreciates much more.

Lasker walks through each step of the major openings in a clear manner, unlike some of the fuzzy chess primers written by modern masters.

If fencing is played like chess, it could also be said chess is played like fencing. Lasker comments in the next section about the combinations, and suggestion chess is replete with violence, countered effectively by more violence, all brutal and seething with imminent danger. He provides, among others, an example of a check to the queen by a pawn.

In the combinations section, he looks at variation predicaments great players he has encountered have wandered into, and how they pulled out these situations victoriously.

Later, he goes through various positions, even the aesthetics effects of chess.

"Lasker's Manual of Chess" by Emanuel Lasker is a great book for a high school level or above player to explore. I fully recommend it.

Anthony Trendl

Emanuel Lasker was world chess champion for 27 years but chess was not his only calling. He was also a philosopher and a mathematician. But this book is about chess from beginning to end. Literally taking you from the blank 64 squares of the chess board, all the way to the original minds full of creative chess ideas. And Lasker does it one sure step at a time and in a gentle and genial manner. On the one hand, this book is for beginners who want to learn the game. On the other hand, this book is an interesting tome on the history of chess ideas up until Lasker's time, so even an advanced player would be fascinated by this book. There you have it, chess top to bottom

A wonderfully written book that will interest anyone that has visited one, or more of the many old forts up and down the East Coast of the United States. This book will be extremely fascinating to anyone with the least bit of curiosity about old forts. The author is very knowledgable about the subject matter and does a brilliant job of conveying information in a way that makes it understandable to an amateur, while still being insightful to a professional in the field of coastal fortification history.

Ray Lewis has provided a super walk through the history of seacoast artillery in America. Nobody has done it better.

In the thirty years since this book was published, one always hoped another would equal or surpass it. None has, or perhaps ever will. It is a marvelous history of the Forts along the American Seacoast, both Atlantic and Pacific, and even the Phillipines. Any Fort enthusiast MUST read this book. The author captures so much information, so many views, so much perspective in so few pages, the book is breathtaking. It is easily the finest book on its chosen subject, which is why it never goes out of print. If Forts interest you, Read it. Period.

The photographs from the author's collection, the army's files, the National Archives, etc. are worth its price. But the text, the clear delineation of the periods of Fort Building since 1794 in the US, and the differentiation of the periods, are so worth while.

Ray manages to be both terse, and pithy. It is a great tribute to any author to say that.

This is a MUST read for anyone interested in the subject, even one only interested in their own local Fort, and how it relattes to the defense plans of the United States when it was built.

There is NO better book to read on the subject. None.

"Why Are So Many Christians Confused About Bible Prophecy" is the most compelling book that I have ever read. The "Book" follows the words of The Lord God Almighty,The Lord Jesus Christ , and all of the anointed and Holy Ghost filled Apostle, Prophets, Ministers, Teachers, Christians and the Saints . The "Book" is a great emphasis on how to be a Christian how these aforementioned has lived by example to overcome all of the heresy that has overwhelmed us by other writers of "Christian Fiction." Where shall we be when Jesus Christ comes to claim His Saints and His Church? When we are are no longer preaching the quoting the words of The Lord God Almighty and the Lord Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son.
I recommend this book to every Christian that is confused about Bible Prophecy to read it, thoroughly, and pray to The Lord God Almighty, and the Lord Jesus Christ to help them understand his words through the Holy Ghost.

Be prepared to learn. This book is not sugar coated like so many "Christian" books out there today are. Everything is backed up with scripture which is another thing you don't find often. I recommend this title if you want to find out why so many people are saying so many different things and also if you want to find out what the Bible has to say about prophecy.

I really enjoyed reading "Why Are So Many Christians Confused About Bible Prophecy" because it led me to a deeper understanding of the scriptures. I am troubled by the trend followed by most Christian authors. Most prefer to write fiction. God sent His truth in the form of His Son Jesus, and this book reveals and interprets how that truth relates to what is going on in our lives today.
The chapter on the counterfeit of God is my favorite chapter because it shows the lie that will confuse and deceive most believers in this difficult age.
I hope that all who want to know the truth will read this inspiring book. It is truly an eye opener!

Imagine my delight when I saw that a former student of mine co-authored a book on youth activism. I remember Emanuel as a 6th grader who was not involved in student government to feed his ego and to be part of a popularity contest, but to find a way to make a difference in his school community.

This book is the real thing - a must for all kids and the adults who work with them.

This book provides the reader with stories of real young people who are making positive change and then gives you the tools to help you too. as a teen in america, i often feel that society just thinks we're evil. wendy lesko's book reaffirms what i guess i knew inside- that we can be leaders of Today... everyone should read, and re-read this book.

This book provides everyone, from the uninvolved individual, to the adult ally, to the veteran youth activist, with something. This is an empowering book, both fun to read, plus loaded with information tools. I turn to this book frequently, it helps me with work, and it is a great gift for anyone!.

Emanuel has captured the sometimes cold, sometimes dangerous world of growing up gay, poor, latino and in the ghetto. And from these experiences he has created some of the most powerfully charged poetry around. While reading Americano, I felt a wide range of emotions - I was sad. I was happy. I was angry. I was enlightened. But most of all I was hopeful. And glad that one more of my ghetto brothers has made it.

Excellent collection -- an authentic voice, at times wildly lyrical, at other times brutally honest and painful, but always speaking from the heart of poetic passion.

Emanuel Xavier is a force to be reckoned with. His poetry touches on (or in some cases charges full-force into) the themes of love, sex, Latino culture, religion, and patriotism. Americano is fantastic: the poems heartfelt, personal, brave, and passionate. And sexy. Poetry sexy? Yes, very sexy! Go, Emanuel!

The book does a very nice job of describing one of the more important, but forgotten, figures in US political history. Smith's role as governor of New York and the various groundbreaking reforms he introduced, his mentorship of various figures from FDR to Robert Moses, and of course being the first Catholic to run for President would be enough to rank him right up there with some of the more widely written about icons of America. When you consider two of his top four advisers were women (this is the 1920's, mind you), his role in building the nation's tallest building at the time, his emergence as a spokesperson for the immigrant masses who became a political force during his era (and the subsequent, seismic shift this caused in the nation's political landscape - he was the first Democrat to lose the Solid South since the Civil War), his being one of the first politicians to speak out against Hitler, and that he did all this without even attending high school, Al not only deserves a high quality biography but perhaps a major motion picture as well. John Cusack in the lead!

The book is occasionally "cheerleady" - superlatives come landing out of left field in the midst of other, more traditional descriptions of events. It is, however, critical and frank in other areas of Smiths career, so it reads in a balanced fashion overall. It is a great read and one that should be read by anyone interested in the US political landscape and how it got to what it is today.

there is a largely-forgotten statue of al smith on the lower east side at the corner of monroe & catherine streets, but i like to think of the empire state building as the true monument to al smith. at the time perhaps the building was a financial failure, but it was simultaneously a symbol of hope even during the depression when it was being built. only a man like al smith had the vision to help create a monument of such optimism during such bleak times - but more importantly, he did so with the intention of providing a symbol of hope to his fellow nyers. (a symbol, i might add, that has renewed importance in post-9/11 ny.)

i appreciate & love the fact that reading lists in nyc have been expanded to include the writings & histories of all the races & creeds & cultures that have come to nyc. but as a white, working-class, catholic nyer, i have noticed a real lack of identity awareness or cultural heritage. this biography of al smith fills that void: by presenting al smith and his beliefs, it not only describes the immigrant experience of catholics at the turn of the century, but shows too how great men like al smith were key in helping the various catholic immigrant groups (irish, italian, polish, etc) to become mainstream, integrated americans in this formerly predominantly-protestant country. the anti-catholic impulse in america is largely forgotten, & in fact it is also forgotten that there was a time when white catholic americans were certainly not considered part of the white ruling class.

in addition, i love the fact that al smith's life & legacy point to another subculture: the progressive catholics. this term is not an oxymoron; at one point in american history, catholics were on the frontlines of many progessive agendas. this book provides an insight into a church that might have been.

i strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in american history or politics, but moreso to anyone who wants to examine the relationship of ny to the rest of america or how the aspects of class and religion (& not just race) influenced the poltical and cultural climate of america in the 20th century.

al smith was a hero of the working class, a hero of immigrant groups, a hero for catholics, for liberals, for new deal democrats, and ultimately for all americans. it is a shame that most people - even nyers - don't even know his name. this book is a huge step toward remedying that tragedy.

very highly recommended!

A great story, about an individual who personifies everything great about America. Alfred E. Smith was the son of immigrants, whose parents ended up in Manhattan's Lower East Side. His Father died early in his life, leaving Smith to take care of his family.

Take care of them he did, leaving school as a child to get a job in the Fulton Fish Market, and thereafter becoming a self-educated man, who never forgot his origins. He associated with
Tammany Hall, and found his way to Albany as a state representative. From there, he ran for and became Governor of The Empire State. He rose to greatness from the humblest of origins.

As noted, no less than Franklin Delano Roosevelt paid the highest compliment to Smith, saying that the foundation of his own New Deal came from what Smith had done first as Governor of
New York. He said: "Practically all the things we've done in the federal government are the things Al Smith did as governor of New York." Smith was the champion of the working man
and woman, first distinguishing himself after one of the country's worst industrial tragedies, the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire.

Sadly, most Americans outside of New York who know of Smith learned of him through what biographer Slayton accurately called the nastiest and most vicious political campaign in the history
of the Republic, when Smith was the first Catholic American to run for President in 1928 against Herbert Hoover (ironically, the candidate called best for business at the time). According to the author, by any measure of analysis, the reason Smith lost was due to those narrow minded individuals who would not accept him as their President because of his choice of religion,
otherwise guaranteed him under the Constitution.

But for Smith, we'd have a different feeling about what makes America great. He blazed a trail which shamed America into revealing a level of greatness it had never acknowledged before his time; culminating in the election of John F. Kennedy more than thirty years later. The commitment he had for the least of Americans became the saving grace of the country after the
depths of the Depression. Before the buzzword of the day was diversity, Smith was unabashed about celebrating it in his City, State and Nation.

He remains to my mind one of the greatest statesmen the Country ever produced. Biographer Slayton has done a phenomenal job in bringing his story to life.

The Black Dog Opera Library Series had outdone themselves once again. In this 1972 recording of Mozart's last opera, we are treated to a fine performance by fine singers, a fully illustrated book with liner notes and commentary, as well as information useful in biographies on the composer and his time. Mozart was close to his death bed at the time he composed The Magid Flute. He made an opera that could be enjoyed at many levels. At one level, it is a comic, brilliant fairy tale for children, at another level, it is deeply symbolic and layed with Masonic ideals of universal brotherhood and love. Mozart and his librettist were both Freemasons, a religous "sect" that was under hot water in 18th century Vienna for its pagan origins and its advocation of ideas of the Enlightenment. The story is about Tamino, a prince who is lost in a strange land (originally, a mystic Egypt), who is rescued from a serpent by three mysterious women and promised the hand of the daughter of the Queen of the Night if he saves her from the wizard Sarastro. Together with the help of the comic bird-catcher, Papageno, he sets out on his adventure. But halfway through the opera, he discovers that he has been deceived. The Queen of the Night is the true villain and Sarastro is really a holy man. After many trials, the forces of evil are defeated and the opera ends blissfully with a victory.

Musically and dramatically, it is Mozart's greatest opera. From the striking Overture to the use of dark strings, trumpet and soaring flute passages, the individual arias which express intense emotions to the neverending theme that good triumphs over evil, the Magic Flute stands out as a great opera to begin with for newcomers and a favorite for old time opera fans.

In this recording, conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch leads the Bavarian State Orchestra in a highly effective, thoroughly dramatic and sentimental, full interpretation of Mozart's score. Tenor Peter Schreir as Tamino is exceptional, passionate in his aria "Dies Bildnis" (This portrait), and again as he plays his flute in "Wie Stark ist Nicht dein Zauberton" (How powerful is your music, magic flute), his individual lines in the ensembles and his duet with Pamina as they undergo the final trial of fire. Annelise Rothenberger, a sublime German lyric soprano, is moving in her portrayal of Pamina. She has her moments in this recording. Note how her high, melodic voice seems to come from nowhere as she confronts Sarastro and Tamino for the first time "Herr! Ich bin zwar Verbrecherin ! (Sir! I am the transgressor). Her aria "Ach Ich Fuhls" (O, I feel that happy days have passed) is the finest interpretation, full of pathos and a kind of melancholic madness, as well as her lines in her suicide attempt, finally, she is sublime as a strong woman ready to face trials with Tamino, especially striking when she sings the line "Tamino!".

Kurt Moll's Sarastro is without question the best. His voice is suited for God. So divine and sonorous and full of grace, his voice is especially noticeable in the aria "O Isis and Osiris " and "In deisen Heilen Hallen"( In these holy halls). Finally, and not to be missed, is Edda Moser's incredible interpretation of the Queen of the Night. You have not heard the true Queen of the Night, until you've heard Edda Moser. She has a Wagnerian intensity and neurosis in her lines, apt and effective for the role of a Queen bent on deception and the murder of her rival, Sarastro. Her aria "O Zittre Nicht, Mein Lieber Son" (O tremble not, beloved son" is full of lyric dramatic passages and coloratura at the end. The vengeance aria "Der Holle Rache Kocht Meine Herzen "(Hell's Anger Burns Within My Heart) is full of fire. The way she attacks the dramatic, powerful lines is out of this world and the high F's she escalates are unsurpassed.

The re-release of the legendary 1972 recording of Die Zauberflöte, conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch, is a great blessing to all who know and love this great work. Edda Moser's interpretation of the Queen of the Night is justly celebrated, achieving not only transcendently perfect delivery, but also a chilling portrait of pure evil. All of the other cast members are excellent. The spoken role of Papageno is particularly striking, sounding sufficiently pungent to remind us that the role was originally played by Emanuel Schickaneder himself. The tempi are, for the most part remarkably well-chosen. In addition, the Masonic gravity of the subject matter is constantly respected. The chorus of the armed men is properly alarming, the cantus firmus stridently insistent above the counterpoint of the strings. Even more uncommon is the treatment of the secondary scenes of Act II, especially the chorus Welche Wonne, in which the evocation of the candidate's future "new life" is infused with the trepidation inevitably attendant upon any trial of life and death. All too often, this work, which is gravely serious in its intent, is presented as a fairy tale. This recording successfully conveys the philosophical context, and does justice to Mozart's attachment to Masonry. [The only flaw which I could detect is the inclusion of a very questionable musical fragment, inserted into Act II, Scene 11 ("Pamina, wo bist du?"). I could locate no reference to this anywhere in my extensive library on the subject, and can only speculate that it might be some unacknowledged retention from one of the infamous "reworkings" of the opera which occurred after Mozart's death....At any rate, it requires an explanation....]

In view of this, it is sad to see this beautiful recording issued in association with a perfectly vile and disrespectful book about the opera. The author has the temerity to liken this work to "a Broadway musical", "a rollicking entertainment for the common man" simply because it was composed as a Singspiel, or German opera with spoken dialogue. This is equivalent to likening one of Shakespeare's comedies to a street farce. The book also suggests that Zauberflöte was composed for purposes of pure entertainment, unless it is, perchance, a "work of profound insight" dressed up in the trappings of a "cartoon". Obviously, the writer is ignorant of the significance of the Egyptian setting in the time of Mozart, when it was a clear symbol for rational ideas and liberal politics. The details of the setting delineate the struggle which was then taking place in Europe, over the true nature of Masonry, philosophy and music, and which soon came to a terrible end, for that time at least, with the banning of Freemasonry in Austria, and the loss of much of the learning about ancient philosophy which had been so laboriously gathered in circles such as that frequented by Mozart. It is largely on account of Zauberflöte, which alludes with precision to much of that learning, that it was not entirely annihilated in the chaos of the revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. Rather than misrepresenting this vitally important work, those who have the privilege of coming into contact with it should do all in their power to contribute to the very difficult, vital, and continuing attempt to understand it. While the availability of this recording is of great value, it is scandalous to see it associated with a contribution to the generally prevailing ignorance about this extremely important, and very difficult, work.

An irate Mozartian

The re-release of the legendary 1972 recording of Die Zauberflote, conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch, is a great blessing to all who know and love this great work. Edda Moser's interpretation of the Queen of the Night is justly celebrated, achieving not only transcendently perfect delivery, but also a chilling portrait of pure evil. All of the other cast members are excellent. The spoken role of Papageno is particularly striking, sounding sufficiently pungent to remind us that the role was originally played by Emanuel Schickaneder himself. The tempi are, for the most part remarkably well-chosen. In addition, the Masonic gravity of the subject matter is constantly respected. The chorus of the armed men is properly alarming, the cantus firmus stridently insistent above the counterpoint of the strings. Even more uncommon is the treatment of the secondary scenes of Act II, especially the chorus Welche Wonne, in which the evocation of the candidate's future "new life" is infused with the trepidation inevitably attendant upon any trial of life and death. All too often, this work, which is gravely serious in its intent, is presented as a fairy tale. This recording successfully conveys the philosophical context, and does justice to Mozart's attachment to Masonry. [The only flaw which I could detect is the inclusion of a very questionable musical fragment, inserted into Act II, Scene 11 {"Pamina, wo bist du?"). I could locate no reference to this anywhere in my extensive library on the subject, and can only speculate that it might be some unacknowledged retention from one of the infamous "reworkings" of the opera which occurred after Mozart's death....At any rate, it requires an explanation....]

In view of this, it is sad to see this beautiful recording issued in association with a perfectly vile and disrespectful book about the opera. The author has the temerity to liken this work to "a Broadway musical", "a rollicking entertainment for the common man" simply because it was composed as a Singspiel, or German opera with spoken dialogue. This is equivalent to likening one of Shakespeare's comedies to a street farce. The book also suggests that Zauberflöte was composed for purposes of pure entertainment, unless it is, perchance, a "work of profound insight" dressed up in the trappings of a "cartoon". Obviously, the writer is ignorant of the significance of the Egyptian setting in the time of Mozart, when it was a clear symbol for rational ideas and liberal politics. The details of the setting delineate the struggle which was then taking place in Europe, over the true nature of Masonry, philosophy and music, and which soon came to a terrible end, for that time at least, with the banning of Freemasonry in Austria, and the loss of much of the learning about ancient philosophy which had been so laboriously gathered in circles such as that frequented by Mozart. It is largely on account of Zauberflöte, which alludes with precision to much of that learning, that it was not entirely annihilated in the chaos of the revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. Rather than misrepresenting this vitally important work, those who have the privilege of coming into contact with it should do all in their power to contribute to the very difficult, vital, and continuing attempt to understand it. While the availability of this recording is of great value, it is scandalous to see it associated with a contribution to the generally prevailing ignorance about this extremely important, and very difficult, work.

An irate Mozartian

When I need to center myself, or be inspired, and especially if I just have one minute before moving on to the next thing on my list of things to do, a quick reading from Way of Wisdom is perfect. It is just enough of a thought to keep my mind active and growing, but doesn't take much time. It is a good pick-me-up in down times, and the notes in the back are great when I want to explore an idea further. If you want small thoughts from Swedenborg, this is the book to try!

This book is a must read. It contains some of the most useful and applicable spiritual guidelines that I have ever run across. It contains simple, easy to understand concepts about real life--relationships, marriage, the afterlife, prayer, selfishness, giving, guilt, usefulness, the list goes on. The format is easy to read and easy to understand, and the content is amazingly helpful. This is not one of those silly entertaining and yet useless life guides. It is a down to earth, realistic resource of ideas as to how to enrich your life.

This book has gotten me through so much! I open it up when I need a little inspiration and always find a passage that speaks to where I'm at. I also love the comentary at the back. It really helps dig deeper into the passages by Emanuel Swedenborg. I highly recommend this books for anyone who wants some spirituality in their day.

This book was not only touching because of Helen Keller's fascinating story, but also an uplifting reassurance that life is worth living. Her ideas, those from and about Emanuel Swedenborg, strike me as poingantly true. Helen Keller's unique perspective on the world adds an amazing depth and reality to this work. I absolutly reccomend it for anyone and everyone.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me look again at what I believe and see it more clearly. This is a great introduction to the ideas of Emanual Swedenborg and the New Church.

The newly revised and updated second edition of Helen Keller's autobiography originally published in 1927 includes a substantial foreword by Keller biographer Dorothy Herrmann. The deaf, dumb and blind Helen Keller (1880-1968) became an internationally known spokesperson for the blind. Her amazing story of being taught to communicate by Annie Sullivan is very well know. But what is not so well known Keller's faith in the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg whose spiritual vision gave her "the light in my darkness, the voice in my silence". Light In My Darkness is wonderfully informative and inspiring reading and this splendid edition will re-introduce a most remarkable woman to a whole new generation of readers.

The bar exam is an incredibly overwhelming obstacle - after studying and working for three or more years, it's still necessary to take just one more test! It's enough to drive even the most dedicated future lawyer bonkers.

This book is a great resource for keeping the madness away. It provides hundreds of sample MBE questions, and sample tests on which to grade yourself. It's still necessary to take a review class-this book isn't going to teach you the law, and it won't help you get ready for the essay exams which are sure to be part of your test. But, it's a great way to drill on those tough MBE questions, which is the best way to succeed. There are also good tips on the MBE in the front of the book.

I passed, and you will too if you stick to a study schedule that includes lots of practice - get the book and get to work!

This book (and the practice questions) was the singular reason I was able to increase my success on the MBE and pass the California Bar exam, as a repeater. Without a doubt, I would recommend it to anyone who is struggling with the MBE.

The explanations and overview help you understand the rationale behind the questions, and point you to the correct answers. I was averaging about 60% correct on the PMBR practice questions, and after reading this book and doing the sample questions, I was averaging about 80% correct. In Crim and Torts, my averages were 88% and 90%.

It makes a BIG difference and the money, for me, was well spent.

This book is really worth the cost. The first 30 pages contain some really useful tips for taking the MBE, and the rest of the book is sample tests followed by detailed analysis of the answers. Of all the MBE prep books I've seen, this is teh best.