Bridge books reviewed - 40

"The Devil’s Tickets - A Night of Bridge, A Fatal Hand, and a New American Age" by Gary M. Pomerantz. It is a new (2009) and fascinating look at the true story of glamorous Kansas City housewife, Myrtle Bennett, who shot and killed her husband after a dispute over the play of a bridge hand. Set during the roaring twenties, the bookdoes not actually contain any bridge hands, but tells the story of the Bennett trial when the rising popularity of bridge was sweeping the USA. The book also covers the fascinating story of the Culbertsons and the immense popularity of bridge during this interesting time in history on the eve of the great depression.

Using the popular ‘over-the-shoulder' presentation of the style of Jeremy Flint, "My Favorite 52" takes the reader through over sixty deals from the Larry Cohen's own experience; deals that were important to him in some way, technically interesting, or just plain fun. The interactive style allows the reader to follow Larry's bidding and play, and make their own decisions at key points. The material was originally published as interactive software CD, in which form it won an award from the American Bridge Teachers Association in 2005. It was adapted for this book edition by Canadian international Linda Lee and now (2009) appears in book format for the first time.

"Patrick Jourdain's Problem Corner" has been a popular regular feature of the UK's BRIDGE Magazine for many years. This book is a collection of challenging declarer-play problems that has been selected from the best of the material appearing there, and will be welcomed by advanced players. Patrick Jourdain comes from Wales and is president of the International Bridge Press Association. He is one of the world’s best-known writers on the game and is the bridge correspondent for the Daily Telegraph.

Eddie Rose's sensational new bridge book, "BRIDGE - From A to Z; Taking Your Game to the Next Level", has been published (Nov 2009) and is now available.  This book may well be the most unique and all-encompassing book on bridge ever written. Eddie Rose holds the rank of Emerald Life Master (over 7500 masterpoints) in the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL).  He has taught bridge since the early 1980s in various venues throughout Orange County; has lectured and directed bridge on several cruise ships (Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean). He is considered one of the outstanding bridge players in the United States and is currently listed in the Encyclopedia of Bridge under "Leading Bridge Personalities".

"The Cardturner" by Louis Sachar chronicals the exploits of Alton Richards, a 17-year-old who, having lost his girlfriend to his best friend, has a summer’s worth of time on his hands. At his parents’ behest he agrees to work for his wealthy 76-year-old great-uncle Lester Trapp, a brilliant card player recently blinded by diabetes. The engaging book is an earnest effort to lure youngsters to the bridge table. And through it's mix of teen angst and mystery, Sachar will likely produce a few converts among the Wii generation.

"Secrets Your Bridge Friends Never Tell You" by Cathy Hunsberger explores the bumpy and exciting journey a bridge player takes on the road from beginner, to intermediate, to the unlimited glory that awaits somewhere down the line. Undoubtedly, you will recognize part of your own journey. You will discover you were never alone as you suffered the constant ups and downs that proliferate in pursuit of this great game. With a humorous slant that delights, Secrets offers insights into such questions as: How do you find a partner? How do you keep a partner? Should you play with your spouse? Should you hire a pro? What happens when you get bridge burn-out? Find the answers here.

"The Rodwell Files - The secrets of a World bridge Champion" by Eric Rodwell, is probably the most important technical bridge book published since Larry Cohen's To Bid or Not to Bid (60,000 copies in English alone), and may well reach an even bigger audience. There are two aspects to this book, both unique. First, Rodwell describes and explains a host of innovative ideas in cardplay, strategems that can be used as declarer or defender. Second, under the heading 'Common Mistakes', Rodwell talks about the mental side of the game: areas that mark the key differences between an average player and a successful one. Finally, under the heading 'Do's and Don'ts', Rodwell talks about the mental side of the game: areas where players often go wrong in their approach to the problem at hand, areas that mark the key differences between an average player and a successful one. The first draft of this book has been in existence for more than fifteen years, but it is only now that Rodwell is prepared to allow his 'secrets' to become public knowledge.

"Conventional Wisdom Plus a Comprehensive Guide to Modern Bridge Conventions: Advanced Bidding, Defending and Playing Concepts" A modern (2009) book by Jean J. Reaves that includes most of the modern techniques in bidding and play. For bridge players of the intermediate level, this is a well written and easily understandable presentation of all elements of bidding, playing and defending a bridge hand with a description of conventions played. As a Bronze Life Master, it was wonderful to read a bridge book that was all nuts and bolts that provided fine descriptions of various subjects. Truly a undiscovered gem in bridge books. Just great.