The Mind in the Cave: Consciousness and the Origins of Art

Book Description

The breathtakingly beautiful art created deep inside the caves of western Europe has the power to dazzle even the most jaded observers. Emerging from the narrow underground passages into the chambers of caves such as Lascaux, Chauvet, and Altamira, visitors are confronted with symbols, patterns, and depictions of bison, woolly mammoths, ibexes, and other animals.

Since its discovery, cave art has provoked great curiosity about why it appeared when and where it did, how it was made, and what it meant to the communities that created it. David Lewis-Williams proposes that the explanation for this lies in the evolution of the human mind. Cro-Magnons, unlike the Neanderthals, possessed a more advanced neurological makeup that enabled them to experience shamanistic trances and vivid mental imagery. It became important for people to "fix," or paint, these images on cave walls, which they perceived as the membrane between their world and the spirit world from which the visions came. Over time, new social distinctions developed as individuals exploited their hallucinations for personal advancement, and the first truly modern society emerged.

Illuminating glimpses into the ancient mind are skillfully interwoven here with the still-evolving story of modern-day cave discoveries and research. The Mind in the Cave is a superb piece of detective work, casting light on the darkest mysteries of our earliest ancestors while strengthening our wonder at their aesthetic achievements. 87 illustrations, 26 in color.

Customer Reviews:

Excelent book.......2007-06-27

This is a very good book, with a new view in the pre-historic mind. The art is studied based in the wiring of human mind and with emphasis in altered ststes of consciouness.

Worth the Read.......2007-03-20

While I wouldn't describe this book as enthralling, it's definitely one of the most enlightening works I've read in awhile. Approaching the evolution of the human mind from the standpoint of consciousness (as opposed to intelligence) hadn't occurred to me, nor had the dependence of neolithic rock art on 'shamanism' or mind-altering states, nor the implication of a class distinction based on one's ability to make (or even understand) this art. Although this book can be quite cynical, it has definitely enlarged the way I think about both art and humanity.

Prehistoric art - who made it and why?.......2007-01-13

I came to read this fascinating book through my interest in art history rather than anthropology or archaeology, as I wanted to know how such technically dextrous images came to be created 45,000 to 35,000 years ago. Lewis-Williams book is eminently readable for the layman - no specialist knowledge is needed to understand, enjoy and appreciate the history and research that the author meticulously unfolds in order to 'solve' the mysteries of these extraordinary cave paintings. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in art, psychology, anthropology, archaeology, history and even neurology - it is an eye-opener. Enjoy!

Too long and sheepish.......2006-11-08

This book is too long for it's main thesis which is a seemingly reluctant conclusion that Upper Paleolithic cave art may have been caused by altered states of consciousness. The author spends the first third of the book agonizingly slowly talking about research persons and facts that have gone into this subject. Then, almost sheepishly, near the middle of the book the author says that some cave art may be hallucinogenically induced. When you read that section you will be surpised because you know the author has been trying to get there like a child looking over his shoulder to see when he can dash to the cookie jar. For this lack of courage alone the book is not worth your time. After the cat is out of the bag the author still leans upon banal scientific understanding which dillutes his credibility within the subject of Shamanism.

From the beginning of the book he clings to the scientific view that consciousness is a byproduct of neurological function. He also makes a great many mistakes within the scientific method by claiming that Neanderthals could not possibly have had similar consciousness to us. Where is the cadaver, or better yet, living subject to test and have data to support such conclusions? The author believes that there is no credible evidence of intentional Neanderthal burials when this subject is absolutely in deep contention within the community. In much of the rest of the book there are associations made between common neurological visual phenomena taken to be, in most cases, the sources of Upper Paleolithic cave art.

If you want any idea of what shaman-artists in the Upper Paleolithic were doing stay away from this book. If you have an open mind then check out Terence McKenna and The Archaic Revival. Terence made it clear that the physical brain is a transceiver for higher dimensions and that consciousness is a product of this complete body/spirit interaction. For a more up to date view of this books subject take a look at Supernatural: Meetings with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind by Graham Hancock.

Do you mind?.......2006-06-14

This book disappointed me. It was written by the world famous rock art expert Dr. David Lewis-Williams, therefore I had great expectations for it as I myself am an inspiring rock art expert and hope to study at Lewis-Williams' former university in Johannesburg.

The main problem that I had with this book is Lewis-Williams' "search" for the beginnings of the mind. He wonders where the mind, consensus, and the ability to experience altered-states came from. He tries to figure out, how the brain evolved to give "modern man" the ability to experience these phenomenon. He says, that Neanderthals lacked this and this may have been one of the reasons why they did not survive. He says that only "modern people" are able to do this. But, how does he know? Why couldn't have Neanderthals have joined the Cro-Magnon man in painting the pictures on the cave walls.

He spends too much of the book trying to figure out how the mind evolved he wastes time and space that could be used to discuss his interesting but controversial neuropsychological method. He does still have a good discussion on this topic nonetheless. Besides, who knows if his hypothesis of shamanism depicted in rock art is even correct? Perhaps, if Lewis-Williams would believe that man was created Man with a mind and the ability to experience altered states of consensus from the beginning, maybe he could develop more time to his study of the actual rock art.

The pictures in the book, however, are very good.

For a good introductory rock art book read David Whitley's "Introduction to Rock Art". For a discussion of creationism that doesn't limit the creation of the universe to a few thousand years (one of the reasons many scientists reject Creationism) see "The Age of the Universe: What are the Biblical Limits?" By Gorman Gray.

Picture making for pleasure and profit: A complete illustrated hand-book on the modern practices of photography in all its various branches, for amateur and professional
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Picture making for pleasure and profit: A complete illustrated hand-book on the modern practices of photography in all its various branches, for amateur and professional
T. Stith Baldwin
Manufacturer: F.J. Drake
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00086SNR8

MouthSounds: How to whistle, Pop, Boing and honk for all occasions... and then some.
Average customer rating:

Great Job

A Wonderful Coffee Table Book

Whistle, I still can't whistle...

Mouthsounds: How to Whistle pop boing and honk

Strange but delightful sounds from my 11-year-old son's room

MouthSounds: How to whistle, Pop, Boing and honk for all occasions... and then some.
Fred Newman
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0761134220

Book Description

No more boring parties! No more dull meetings! No more getting stuck with a little kid and not knowing how to make her laugh. Perfect for extroverts, office cutups, actors and storytellers, practical jokers, and the unsung clowns who brighten all our days, MouthSounds is the book for people who would give anything to imitate a Toilet Plunger. Or a Sports Car Smash and Crash (with debris and rolling hubcap). Sound like Gollum while reading Lord of the Rings to a favorite nephew. Have meaningful dialogue with your dog. Hold the table spellbound by acting out "Titanic: The Movie" in ten seconds.Since he wrote the first MouthSounds in 1980, Fred Newman whistled, popped, boinged, and honked his way to social success, creating noises and sounds for dozens of movies. He's continued to perfect his very particular art, touring with Garrison Keillor on A Prairie Home Companion and appearing regularly on PBS's Between the Lions. And behold--Arena Cheers and Applause, please!--the new MouthSounds, featuring more than 150 useful noises to make with your mouth . . . melodious, whimsical, and rude, too. The Taxi Whistle. The Cell Phone Ring. The Stomach Growl. Birds, Banjos, and Rock Guitars. Complete with photographs and illustrations, step-by-step instructions, plus an enhanced CD and tips on where and when to perform for maximum impact--yoga class, first date, job interview, press conference.

Customer Reviews:

Great Job.......2007-03-19

Being amazed for a long time by the ability some people show of imitating sounds and voices, and after not having found any websites that offers any ideas on how to imitate sounds, voices and to produce mouth sounds, i came to know Mr. Newman's fantastic work through a pdf document in which he is interviewed, and i decided to buy the book and the truth is that i found it very helpful and full of surprises, for example i didn't know that to bark like a dog you have to inhale, and that the duck quack comes from the cheek! The book is very educating in the sense that it not only gives a nice introduction about how sounds are generated, but also gives detailed step-by-step instructions on how to produce specific sounds.
i think that with practice and fine tuning anybody can learn something interesting and fun from this book.i do recommend it for sound lovers.

A Wonderful Coffee Table Book.......2007-01-04

I ordered MouthSounds for my daughter after she got her masters in speech. It's been a blast to have around.

Whistle, I still can't whistle..........2006-08-13

This is a great book, detailed and humourous but I still can't do the hands free, loud whistle!

Mouthsounds: How to Whistle pop boing and honk.......2005-09-26

This is a fun book. Listening to the CD in the car was also fun and easier for me to make a funny sound. It makes you realize how many mouthsounds you can already do--you just need a context to make it special. The author will tell you that making various mouth sounds is like aerobics for your voice--so you don't end up with an old lady or old man voice when you get to your 70's or 80's.

Strange but delightful sounds from my 11-year-old son's room.......2005-08-14

My 11-year-old son has been threatening to run away to the Fred Newman School Audio Realism for years now. He's a big fan, plain and simple. Saturday evenings our house stops so my son can listen to APHC, and laugh with, practice with, get ideas from the Noise Master himself. This book and accompanying CD have provided my son with hours and hours of entertainment, and noise training. Who knew an 11-year-old boy could ADD to the sounds he uses to fill a home? Fred Newman knew. Great book, great CD, both genuinely teach the fine art of boinging and popping....and trust me, these sounds lead to thousands of others. Thanks Fred! Thanks Amazon!

MouthSounds: How To Whistle, Pop, Boing And Honk for All Occasions...and then Some

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MouthSounds: How To Whistle, Pop, Boing And Honk for All Occasions...and then Some
Frederick R. Newman
Manufacturer: Workman Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXTSDO

Kingdom of Heaven: The Making of the Ridley Scott Epic (Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook)
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awesome movie - Kingdom of Heaven!!!!

One of Ridley Scott's Masterpieces

Recommended for fans of the film

AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!!

Kingdom of Heaven: The Making of the Ridley Scott Epic (Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook)

Manufacturer: Newmarket Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Direction & Production | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 155704662X

Book Description

With films like Gladiator, Blade Runner, and Black Hawk Down, director Ridley Scott has shown his mastery of cinematic storytelling that is epic in dimension but with a deeply personal core. In Kingdom of Heaven, he turns to the Crusades—that world-shaping 200-year collision between Europe and the East—to frame the tale of a young Frenchman who defies all odds to become a knight, then lives out what that glorious title really means. "I'd always wanted to make a movie about knights and medieval times, the Crusades especially," says Scott. "Historically, the knight—like the cowboy or the policeman—has given us great opportunities to tell stories about a hero."

With the cry "God wills it!" Pope Urban II in 1095 urged Christian Europe into a frenzy to reclaim the holy city of Jerusalem, conquered by Muslim armies that swept through the Middle East in the 7th century. Thousands answered the call, from kings to peasants, and in the ensuing waves of war ancient cities fell to bloody sieges, Christian kingdoms were founded in the Holy Land, and unspeakable atrocities were committed on both sides. Between the Second and Third Crusades, however, two visionary leaders—King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and the Saracen general Saladin—forged a short-lived peace amid the carnage. Drawn into this immense drama is the young blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom). Fleeing his village under a death sentence, and fleeing his own demons as well, Balian joins forces with a great knight, Godfrey of Ibelin (Liam Neeson), who swears him to serve King Baldwin and up-hold the truce—that fragile "kingdom of heaven." On reaching the Holy Land, Balian falls under the spell of the king's sister, Sibylla (Eva Green), and becomes embroiled in a struggle for the kingdom's soul, as the dying king is assailed by extremists bent on war. Ultimately, Balian must choose between his love and his sense of knightly honor. And when Jerusalem faces its greatest peril, he must use all his wits and courage to defend it against staggering odds.

Scott and his production team scale new heights in creating worlds on film: building vast sets on locations in Morocco and Spain, peopling them with international stars and thousands of extras, enhancing filmed action with state-of-the-art effects. Scenes of medieval warfare, breathtaking in scale and realism, feature weapons and machines that were carefully researched and built for real. This splendid companion book, illustrated with more than 200 photos, drawings, and Scott's own storyboards, documents this landmark production behind the scenes and before the cameras. But it also delves into the details of storycrafting that give Kingdom of Heaven its solid historical grounding, and includes a lively primer on the Crusades that will expand readers' appreciation of both the film and the history behind it. With more than 200 photographs and illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

awesome movie - Kingdom of Heaven!!!! .......2005-08-30

this is an awesome product to get if you saw and liked the movie "Kingdom of Heaven". wonderful behind-the-scenes shots. the pics are awesome!!! not to mention the fact that Orlando Bloom, one of my fave actors, is in it!!

One of Ridley Scott's Masterpieces.......2005-08-02

If you enjoyed Gladiator you should love Kingdom of Heaven. It has all the thrills and color and then some...and it's far more authentic. This is an epic film filled with color and colorful characters. This book points out the details and should really be inspiring to up and coming film makers. The use of flags and banners is especially strong. I think you'll learn a lot more about the Art of film making from this book, a superb collection. Try it!

Recommended for fans of the film.......2005-06-10

The latest entry in the acclaimed "Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook" series, Kingdom Of Heaven: The Ridley Scott Film And The History Behind The Story is the definitive film documentary of "Kingdom of Heaven", the large-scale historical epic about the Crusades that pitted the forces of King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem against the armies of the Saracen general Saladin. Directed by Ridley Scale and starring Orlando Bloom, the commentary is in two major parts: "Kingdoms in the Holy Land: The Crusades and the Film Story" and "Swords and Stones: How Kingdom of Heaven Was Made". This informative guide to the film and its making is enthusiastically recommended for fans of the film, as well as professional, academic, and community library Cinematic Studies reference collections.

AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!!.......2005-05-25

I already saw this movie three times. It's sooooo amazing. The book has lots of beautiful pictures and interesting information about the movie.
For everybody who loves the movie, this book is a must have. And of course the screenplay which is coming out in june.

Amazon.com

The autobiography Godfather of Soul was originally published before James Brown's late-'80s brushes with the law, so those looking for the man's thoughts on his drug problems and subsequent incarceration will walk away empty-handed. Seekers after the fine blend of social responsibility, cranked-up ego, and pronouncements on his own music and its place in the world, however, will be amply rewarded. Fascinating tidbits--from the claim that Elvis Presley once hoped to record with the JBs to the story of being able to find only white and Asian kids in a last-minute recruiting effort for the shout-along on "Say It Loud--I'm Black and I'm Proud"--abound. But you probably guessed as much of the auteur of "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," Live at the Apollo, and "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto." --Rickey Wright

Book Description

A man of many names: The hardest working man in show business, King of the one nighters, Soul Brother #1, the sex machine ... but everyone knows who they mean. James Brown: The Godfather of Soul. Since his first chart-topper in 1956, he's outlived, outlasted, and outperformed all rivals. He is the funk-and-soul innovator and rap's driving spirit. His dazzling stage shows are legendary. Now James Brown tells his own story, just as he plays his music: loud, proud, and soulful. From his dirt-poor childhood in an Augusta brothel to wealth and world fame and his recent incarceration, James Brown takes a unique look behind the closed doors of poverty, segregation, politics, and the music industry. With photo inserts, brilliant anecdotes about Little Richard, Elvis, Tina Turner, Otis Redding, Tammi Terrell, Michael Jackson, and many others, plus a new updated introduction and epilogue and an exhaustive discography.

Customer Reviews:

Get on the Good Foot Y'all!.......2007-02-28

James Brown was a true innovator. Nobody can take his genius away from him. He has passed on to occupy the ancestral realm. Remember the ancestors are always with us, you simply have to invoke their names.

I recommend this book for any James Brown fans or casual reader of history.

a very good read.......2006-12-27

RIP to the Godfather of Soul, Soul Brother #1, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business. This been a great blow and to all of us James Brown fans here. This book was the one I needed to keep me focused. Just read it all the way through earlier this year. Very strong, uplifting and powerful. James Brown was the Hero, the Legend, the American Pioneer. He wasn't just an entertainer or a hit maker or an artist, he's a man that have overcome alot on what's happening in the world: going thru poverty, business, the Civil Rights Movement, the world, loss of jobs, politics, way of culture, way of living, and a way to express ourselves thru a meaning of religion, life, hunger, soul, pain, and suffering. The Man had it all. Boy I'mma miss him and his talent. His spirit always captures us thru this day. GOOD GOD!!!

Thanks for all the hardship and legacy you put us into, Brother James Brown.

Interesting From Start to Finish.......2005-12-28

I bought this book a couple of years ago, and once I began reading the first page I couldn't stop until I'd finished the whole book. The things that JB had to go through as a young boy, it's a wonder he didn't wind up on death row, or in an early grave. It's a good thing that he turned his attention to music, and put all he had into it. Even though he was never really raised by anyone, or had a real family life he was able to make his mark in life. I'm glad that he acknowledges the power of God, and he knows what God can do. I enjoyed reading this book. This is a must read for everyone.

It hooked me - An Amazing Read.......2005-08-29

What a life. What a personality. I have enjoyed this book enormously: You get the feeling that this is James Brown telling you his extraordinary story in a long and fascinating conversation. He talks about his music, his personal life and troubles, his philosophy, and, what I think is most thrilling, show business and stage performance.

My main goal in reading this book was resolving a personal doubt: Was he the genius behind his records, or was it Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley or his producers? After reading the book and listening to his records with lots of new insights, I have little doubt that the main driving force (although not the only one) in his records was himself. What Brown says about his music, where it came from, how it was made, what he intended to say, really made me discover many things in his records! For instance, if you have 'Live At The Apollo (1963)' (one of Brown's best albums) or have listened to it, DON'T MISS what he has to say about it -and play the LP again. I couldn't stop laughing for almost a quarter of an hour.

On another hand, I was also wondering: Is he a ruthless, egotistic and authoritarian character, as he is sometimes portrayed? In the book, JB openly and candidly talks about the discipline in his band, prison, guns, Black Power, and politics; and, paradoxically, in the end I finished with the impression of having received a lesson in confidence in man, tolerance, faith and spirituality. Soulful singers like him or BB King really have something to say about life-not only in their records.

On a last note, I think the (co-)writer Bruce Tucker has structured the book very well, hooking you from the beginning until the last page. As usual, it is better to avoid beginning with the prefaces and forewords, and leave them for the end. Only a little information about musicians in the sessions would have been welcome -although it is true that it's not the scope of the book.

Definitely worth reading it if you are a James Brown fan, and also very commendable if you are interested in music in general.

The greatest entertainer in the world!!!.......2003-09-08

I'm 34 I had listened to some James Brown manly the hits. I had the oppertunity to see his show a couple of months ago. It was fantastic. I started getting some of his other albums like the big payback(my favorite) I must tell you I'm hooked I can't get enough of that sound. I finished this book today. It was awsome his takes on things are so down to earth. If you're down with Mr. Brown than you gotta read this.

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James Brown The Godfather Of Soul
James with Tucker, Bruce Brown
Manufacturer: Macmillan Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0PEFC

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James Brown The Godfather Of Soul
James (Bruce Tucker) Brown
Manufacturer: Sidgwick & Jackson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0TV9C

Godfather of Soul looms large in CNN special; James Brown's life, legacy explored.(Music - Articles): An article from: Winnipeg Free Press

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Godfather of Soul looms large in CNN special; James Brown's life, legacy explored.(Music - Articles): An article from: Winnipeg Free Press
Gale Reference Team
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000QCTJS6
Release Date: 2007-05-07

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Winnipeg Free Press, published by Thomson Gale on May 5, 2007. The length of the article is 682 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Godfather of Soul looms large in CNN special; James Brown's life, legacy explored.(Music - Articles)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Winnipeg Free Press (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 5, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: c13

Distributed by Thomson Gale

James Brown: 'The Godfather of Soul': celebrates 50 years in showbiz & is still going strong!(Interview) : An article from: Jet

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James Brown: 'The Godfather of Soul': celebrates 50 years in showbiz & is still going strong!(Interview) : An article from: Jet
Aldore D. Collier
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000G5S2EA
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Jet, published by Thomson Gale on May 8, 2006. The length of the article is 1092 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: James Brown: 'The Godfather of Soul': celebrates 50 years in showbiz & is still going strong!(Interview)
Author: Aldore D. Collier
Publication: Jet (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 8, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 109 Issue: 18 Page: 54(5)

Article Type: Interview

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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JAMES BROWN: The Godfather of Soul.
James and Tucker, Bruce. Brown
Manufacturer: Macmillan Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O95AD4

Troubled soul: the man who started it all heads for the finish line.(James Brown: The Godfather of Soul)(Feel Good : A Memoir of a Life of Soul)(Book Review): An article from: The Weekly Standard

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Troubled soul: the man who started it all heads for the finish line.(James Brown: The Godfather of Soul)(Feel Good : A Memoir of a Life of Soul)(Book Review): An article from: The Weekly Standard
Martha Bayles
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000BIANC6
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Weekly Standard, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2005. The length of the article is 3440 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Troubled soul: the man who started it all heads for the finish line.(James Brown: The Godfather of Soul)(Feel Good : A Memoir of a Life of Soul)(Book Review)
Author: Martha Bayles
Publication: The Weekly Standard (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 10 Issue: 43 Page: 31(4)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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James Brown: The Godfather of Soul

Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HYN63M

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Godfather of Soul
James Cdcleo 1436 Brown
Manufacturer: Cleo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 6308803197

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The Godfather of Soul: An Autobiography
James Brown
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000V89VGK

Book Description

Calling all players, beginners and experts alike! Here are the plays you can't afford to miss: 800 puzzles to sharpen your thinking and hone your crossword skills, specially designed and selected by SCRABBLE superstar Joe Edley, the only two-time winner of the National SCRABBLE® Championship and coauthor of Everything SCRABBLE®.

Learn how to:

"Read the board" and see where you can score the most points -- and where you can't.
Increase your word game skills with 97 must-know two-letter words
Build knockout numbers with bonus squares, two-letter words and parallel plays
Score with the high-point tiles: J, Q, X, and Z
Balance your rack by playing off weak three-, four-, and five-tile combinations
Find the key to success with bingos and seven-letter plays
Find the Ideal Play -- eight questions to ask yourself, plus the Ideal Play on computer
Win at SCRABBLE -- six key factors
Find the best play in real game action -- fifty actual games re-created in this book, complete with the author's analysis and computer simulation results.

National champion Joe Edley aims to enhance your SCRABBLE-playing skills. Discover tips, shortcuts, and special plays in actual game situations, and a battery of increasingly complex puzzles as you learn to play with the pros.

Customer Reviews:

Scrabble Puzzle Book Review.......2006-02-24

This book is excellent as it contains many ways to improve and versify your Scrabble skills. There are many new games and approaches, which can range from novice to challenging. It contains many new words and methods of setting up the board during play, and if one really examines the games, one will certainly improve their Scrabble skills. As well, there are many games provided that will take hours to decipher and play.

great book.......2005-04-13

This is very useful for those of us who like playing word games, especially the page of two letter words.

Improving your game.......2004-11-30

You can pick up some good tips on how to beat your opponents from two-time National Scrabble Champion Joe Edley along with some challenging puzzles in this modest Scrabble puzzle book. I particularly recommend the material on pages 194-202 where Edley suggests that you develop the habit of asking yourself questions before making a play.

For example, question number one is, "Do I have a bingo?" (A good first question!) Question number two is the obvious, Which bonus squares are available, but question number three really gets to the nitty-gritty of good play: "Can you 'hook' any words? Look at every word already on the board and ask yourself if any single letter can be added to the front or back to form another word." Also important is question number four: "What will my 'leave' be after I've made my play?"

Too often the beginning player does not pay enough attention to the tiles he or she is going to be stuck with after a play. Sometimes, Edley advises, it is better to make a lower-scoring play in order to leave oneself with tiles likely (with a little help) to form a bingo.

The bulk of the book is devoted to Scrabble puzzles on various themes, e.g., "Placing your letters on hot spots"; using the J, Q, X and Z; two-, three-, four- and five-tile plays, etc. There is a diagram of the Scrabble grid with some plays already made. Underneath the diagram are the letters in several different racks. You are asked to find the best play. Edley recommends that you do the puzzles by setting them up on your own Scrabble board. I think that is the best way as well since the diagrams in the book are in black and white and so the bonus squares are not colored, and are highlighted only by the letters "DWS," "DLS" ("Double Word Score," "Double Letter Score"), etc. This makes it hard to get a quick feel for where to look. At least that was my experience.

A handy feature is the list of the 97 two-letter words allowed in official Scrabble tournaments on page 7. (I think that has been changed to 96 with "da" now being disallowed.) Interesting features include the weighed scores for answers to the various puzzles. For example, for the puzzle on page 93 there is an "expert" score (for five racks) of 155, a "good" score of 145, and an "average" score of 120. But Edley also gives his score of 164 and challenges you to beat it.

There are 800 puzzles, so this book will last through many a long winter's night; however this is not as good a book as the more substantial Everything Scrabble (revised 2001) by Edley (along with John D. Williams, Jr.), which I also recommend for the serious Scrabble player.

Somewhat useful.......2003-05-09

This is a good game if you're trying to find a way to make that 20 or 30 point word to put you in the lead for good. If I used it in some of my Online Scrabble games, I think that I would be fine. That's just me though.

The Official Scrabble Quiz Game Book: Based on the World's Leading Word Game

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The Official Scrabble Quiz Game Book: Based on the World's Leading Word Game
Robert Allen
Manufacturer: Citadel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Everything Scrabble
Scrabble

ASIN: 0806519452

Book Description

Following the success of the original Scrabble Quiz Game Book , here are more chances to enjoy quizzes based on the world's leading word game.

The Official Junior Scrabble Quiz Game Book

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The Official Junior Scrabble Quiz Game Book
Robert Allen
Manufacturer: Carlton Books Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Official Scrabble Puzzle Book
Joe Edley
Manufacturer: Barnes & Noble
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 076077093X

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