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      • Trusted Partner
        Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure
        September 2017

        A cultural history of chess-players

        Minds, machines, and monsters

        by John Sharples

        This inquiry concerns the cultural history of the chess-player. It takes as its premise the idea that the chess-player has become a fragmented collection of images, underpinned by challenges to, and confirmations of, chess's status as an intellectually-superior and socially-useful game, particularly since the medieval period. Yet, the chess-player is an understudied figure. No previous work has shone a light on the chess-player itself. Increasingly, chess-histories have retreated into tidy consensus. This work aspires to a novel reading of the figure as both a flickering beacon of reason and a sign of monstrosity. To this end, this book, utilising a wide range of sources, including newspapers, periodicals, detective novels, science-fiction, and comic-books, is underpinned by the idea that the chess-player is a pluralistic subject used to articulate a number of anxieties pertaining to themes of mind, machine, and monster.

      • Trusted Partner
      • Trusted Partner
        Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure
        November 2011

        Ringbearers

        *The Lord of the Rings Online* as intertextual narrative

        by Tanya Krzywinska, Esther MacCallum-Stewart, Justin Parsler

        Ringbearers collects together essays by established and leading figures within Game Studies, each focused on different aspects of the Massively Multiplayer Online game The Lord of the Rings Online. The authors played the game extensively, yet they each come to it with different questions. Some essays focus on what players do with and in the game, whether that means asking about the opportunities provided for role-play or asking how the knowledge that fans bring to the game informs their experience of it. Others focus on the design of the game: for example the handling of narrative and its temporal dimensions, the articulation of core themes into ludic form, or the representational and aural strategies used. Moral rhetorics solicit discussion from various perspectives, as does the treatment of horror and the 'other'. Particular game mechanics are analysed in detail such as the game's crafting economy, or, more generally, the development of improbable conventions that players have learned to accept as the grammar of games. As well as Design, Media and Game Studies students and scholars, Ringbearers will also prove of interest to those studying adaptation and to scholar-fans of JRR Tolkein's massively influential and popular fictional work. ;

      • TV tie-in humour

        The Official Only Fools and Horses Quiz Book

        by Dan Sullivan, Jim Sullivan

        The book has been written by Dan Sullivan and Jim Sullivan, who, as sons of the creator of the Only Fools and Horses, are uniquely placed to use their knowledge of the show  to set such brain-teasers as: What is the title of Rodney's prize winning painting? At what train station do Del and Raquel first meet? According to Trigger he once owned a hat. What colour was it?   What does the 'A' on Del's O-level exam results stand for? What is Joan Trotter's middle name? It s a lovely jubbly stocking filler which will entertain all the family and remind them of many classic moments from the much-loved comedy series.

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure
        October 2022

        LEGO Railroad World

        The 80s: models, landscapes, sets

        by Holger Matthes

        You played with a LEGO train set in the 80s? In this book you will meet your set from back then again! Holger Matthes, author of »LEGO Railway« and well-known expert on the subject at AFOL (Adults Friends of LEGO), describes all LEGO railroad sets of that time and takes you into the world of trains and minifigures with large-format panoramic images of LEGO railroad landscapes. Building instructions for your own new Gray Era-style models inspire you to recreate them; among them are models that integrate LEGO's latest PoweredUp! engines with Bluetooth control. By the way, such models also run on the current tracks – play fun for today's kids is guaranteed. Collectors of the sets from the legendary Gray Era, named after the color of the tracks, will turn to the book with its detailed listing of all sets of the era and lots of background info for reference.

      • Handicrafts, decorative arts & crafts
        September 2020

        A Masterclass in needle felting dogs

        Methods and techniques to take your needle felting to the next level

        by Cindy-Lou Thompson

        The art of needle felting dogs can produce amazingly hyper-realistic – almost taxidermic – results, and with a little know-how, some needles and wool, and a few inexpensive accessories, you, too, can needle felt like a professional. If you have ever wanted to improve your needle felting and take it to a whole new level to create lifelike dogs, this book, by world class needle felting master Cindy-Lou Thompson of Chicktin Creations, will show you how. Covering four different breeds of dog (Dachshund, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle), with step-by-step instructions and photos, Cindy takes you through the processes of creating different body shapes, proportions, armatures, coats, and blending, as well as realistic accessories such as eyes, noses, mouths, ears, and nails. Learn how to achieve a professional finish with different textured coats, clipping and shaping, and finishing off, using a variety of mediums and methods, some of which Cindy has designed and developed herself, and never revealed ... until now.

      • Hobbies, quizzes & games

        The Spirit of Play

        Cooperative Games for All Ages, Sizes, and Abilities

        by

      • Gambling: theories & methods

        The Essential World Cup Betting Guide 2010

        The Independent Odds, Stats and Strategies to Give You an Edge Betting On the Football World Cup

        by Matt Finnigan

        The 2010 World Cup is upon us and the hopes of many nations will be backed by the money of millions of punters. Betting on football has never been so popular, so much so that it is estimated that up to ?ú50 billion could be wagered worldwide during the month-long tournament.Written by Pete Nordsted, author of 'Mastering Betfair', and Matt Finnigan, full-time football punter, this book provides you with a comprehensive analysis of the tournament and offers you a number of betting strategies that you may not have considered before.This book is based around two different approaches, one statistical and one practical, that are combined to bring you a completely fresh take on the traditional betting markets. It provides an insight into each nation's chances, and highlights how the draw, location and playing conditions may affect the likelihood of a team progressing further in the tournament.It also pinpoints the odds you should look for and takes you through the authors' comprehensive price guide to all the major group markets. If you want to know what price England or Germany might be for the tournament if they make the last 16, then this book will give you the answer.'The Essential World Cup Betting Guide' is an alternative look at the betting markets and provides you with the information you need to win this summer.

      • Gambling: theories & methods

        Secrets of Short-handed Pot-limit Omaha

        How to Beat Plo Games With Six Or Fewer Players

        by Rolf Slotboom

      • Lifestyle, Sport & Leisure

        Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker

        by Jonathan Little

        Jonathan Little is a highly successful poker professional who has won over $4 million in tournament play. His first book "Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker, Volume 1" dealt with the fundamentals of play. In this second book he builds on this base by examining the highly complex issue of how to handle the different stages of a tournament. As well as outlining a techinically accurate style of play, Jonathan also discusses a number of other topics that are crucial to success at poker. These include: How to spot tells (and avoid giving them) Correct etiquette Practical tips for tournament play Managing life as a professional poker player throws up a number of issues in itself and Jonathan calls upon his many years as a pro to address these. They include: Developing your poker skills Mental & physical approaches required for successful play. As well as being one of the world's best players, Jonathan has been a highly respected coach for many years. In the final section of the book he draws on his experience here to answer the most common FAQ's asked by students and also offers an in-depth analysis of 30 hands from tournament play which outline many of the concepts discussed in the book.

      • Gambling: theories & methods

        How Good Is Your Pot-limit Omaha?

        by Stewart Reuben

        Pot Limit Omaha is one of the major poker variants. Over the last twenty years it has increased hugely in popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. Omaha is a game where each player receives four hole cards (as opposed to just two at Hold'em) to complement the five community cards. This gives great opportunities for complex play and enables the expert player to outmanoeuvre weaker opposition. The pot limit format means that big bets can appear out of nowhere and this gives opportunities for skilful players to apply pressure with bluffs and semi-bluffs.;Written by a world class Omaha player, it offers help to those players looking to improve their understanding of this complex game.

      • Card games

        Limit Hold'em

        Winning Short-handed Strategies : Techniques for Limit Hold'em Games With Six Players Or Less

        by Terry Borer

      • Card games

        Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker.

        by Jonathan. Little

        Tournament poker is a tough game to play but the rewards for success can be huge. Even regular online tournaments offer substantial prizes running to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Jonathan Little, a highly successful poker professional who has won over $4 million in tournament play in just four years, explains exactly how to succeed in this highly competitive field. Playing technically sound poker is crucial but this is far from the only skill necessary. “Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker, Volume 1” deals with the fundamentals of play and how to handle varying stack sizes. It teaches the reader: · Why tournaments are the most profitable form of poker · When to play small ball and when to play long ball · How to understand effective stack size · How to tailor your play to winning, not just cashing ...plus much more.

      • Bridge

        No Trump Contracts

        by David Bird

        No trump contracts provide the nuts and bolts of bridge card play. Without a trump suit lurking in the background, where small cards can pop up unexpectedly and ruff your winners, the play is simplified and becomes all about the correct handling of the suits. This does not imply that no trump play is easy - far from it. There are difficult decisions to be made all along the line: should you take a finesse? which is the danger hand? when is it right to hold off?;In this book, renowned bridge author David Bird helps the reader to answer these questions and to comprehend the reasoning as to why certain decisions are taken. Each independent principle is thoroughly examined and the reader is then invited to test their own understanding of the concept by answering a number of puzzles, typical of those that arise in practical play.

      • Hobbies, quizzes & games
        August 2013

        Wretched Fate

        by Noah Hill

        The adventure begins on the road into a dusty and barren north western province of the land of Naya Aadesh, the arid Maksharif. This dry region suffers under yearly droughts, making the area prone to terrible dust storms and times of thirst. Cities and villages along the border have weathered these harsh conditions, but things have become worse, and it has been months since tidings have been heard from the border town of Alimak. As the Autumn sum sets over Maksharif, the beleaguered town remains isolated, it's wretched fate unknown. Worse still, travelers have come to the capital of the region, bearing ill news. They report that upon passing through Alimak, they observed that the peasants in the area are carrying arms, and also that contrary to custom, the local Kshatriya lord was unavailable to grant them audience and passage. The local Raja has commanded the Rajanni adventurers to respond to this, and find out if the town has fallen to slavers, is in open revolt, or worse. The heroes must investigate and subdue any evil that may be brewing in the desperate desolate borderlands. Wretched Fate is a Pathfinder Roleplaying Game compatible adventure for four to six players of levels seven to nine.

      • Hobbies, quizzes & games

        Advanced Limit Hold'em Strategy

        Techniques for Beating Tough Games

        by Barry Tanenbaum

        Strategies for beating the tough games of Limit Hold'em from coach Barry Tanenbaum.

      • Digital lifestyle
        March 2018

        TETRA Today

        by Various

        TETRA Today is the only publication exclusively dedicated to TETRA digital trunked radio. It aims to inspire and inform the TETRA community. Launched in 2010, this publication provides technical advice, authoritative editorial and commentary spanning all areas of TETRA from articles on training to case studies showing how TETRA is being deployed in real-life safety organizations.

      • Handicrafts, decorative arts & crafts
        August 2009

        Making Tiaras and Designer Jewellery

        by Jema Hewitt

        Make your own beaded tiara with matching designer necklace and earrings, for your wedding, prom or special party. In this ebook, Jema Hewitt shows you the techniques you need to create six stunning tiara and jewellery designs using beads and wire. There are tiaras to suit many tastes, from pastel and delicate, to bold and colourful. Follow Jema’s comprehensive step by step instructions, and zoom in close to see every detail of the construction. This is Jema’s second ebook on making tiaras after the success of Tiaras and Bridal Jewellery.

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