Backgammon Book Question
MiltonZuc
I have borrowed a hardback copy the book Backgammon by Paul Magriel from my
brother. The edition he owns was published in 5/78. I was considering getting
a copy of the book for myself. However, according to Amazon.com the latest
version of this book (a softback version published in 11/85) is currently "out
of stock" by the publisher. Might anyone reading this message know if there is
a significant difference in the material contained in these two editions
published 7 years apart? Thanks.
...Milton Zucker...
Chuck Bower
MiltonZuc <milt...@aol.com> wrote:
There seem to be a few inaccuracies here. First off, TWO books were
published. One titled BACKGAMMON is the classic everyone refers to. The
first few chapters was published in a second book "INTRODUCTION TO BACKGAMMON".
The latter may be valuable to a (bg) book collector, but not otherwise.
The original BACKGAMMON had a copyright date of 1976. Since this was the
only edition, I find it surprising that another copyright date existed.
I can imagine the later printing dates might occur, though. Both of the
above mentioned books were published in hardcover only, until...
A couple years back this classic work was reissued in softcover at $45. As
far as I know there were no changes to the content.
So, the going bookstore price for the softcover is $45. Write Carol Joy Cole
(c...@tir.com) if interested in buying by mail order. The hardback is out-of-
print but can be found as a used book either online or the old fashioned way.
Hardcover prices vary widely, but typically a good-excellent condition copy
will bring more than a new softback.
Well, maybe you're getting more than you asked for. Bottom line is that
this book is still worth the cover price, so whether you want a hardback or
softback, don't delay in buying AND then absorbing the contents.
Chuck
bo...@bigbang.astro.indiana.edu
c_ray on FIBS
MiltonZuc
>published. One titled BACKGAMMON is the classic everyone refers to. The
>first few chapters was published in a second book "INTRODUCTION TO
>BACKGAMMON".
>The latter may be valuable to a (bg) book collector, but not otherwise.
>
>The original BACKGAMMON had a copyright date of 1976. Since this was the
>only edition, I find it surprising that another copyright date existed.
>I can imagine the later printing dates might occur, though. Both of the
>above mentioned books were published in hardcover only, until...
>
>A couple years back this classic work was reissued in softcover at $45. As
>far as I know there were no changes to the content.
>
>So, the going bookstore price for the softcover is $45. Write Carol Joy Cole
>(c...@tir.com) if interested in buying by mail order. The hardback is out-of-
>print but can be found as a used book either online or the old fashioned way.
>Hardcover prices vary widely, but typically a good-excellent condition copy
>will bring more than a new softback.
>
>Well, maybe you're getting more than you asked for. Bottom line is that
>this book is still worth the cover price, so whether you want a hardback or
>softback, don't delay in buying AND then absorbing the contents.
>
>
> Chuck
> bo...@bigbang.astro.indiana.edu
> c_ray on FIBS
>
>
Thanks very much for the information. The book I borrowed is the classic you
mentioned above. And you are right about the copyright date. The date I
referred to as the copyright date (5/78) was really the date of the "Third
Printing". The original copyright date is listed as 1976 as you pointed out.
It is interesting to note the effects of inflation. The book cover of the
hardback copy I borrowed shows the price of this edition was $20.00 back in
1978. That was one of the reasons I thought there may be additional material
in the newer softback publication. I would certainly have expected the price
to increase, but not necessarily by a factor of over 2 (especially considering
the newer version is softback). But from what you say I gather it is exactly
the same book in diferent binding, which was the information I was seeking.
Raymond Falcon-Lugo
Chuck Bower
Raymond Falcon-Lugo <r.falc...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>Is Paul Magriel retired? No "second revised editions" possible?
I don't know if 'retired' would ever be an appropriate word in
this case. :) Magriel is still around, and still an active BG
player, although he probably has more diverse activities now than
in the 70's when he was THE acknowledged world's best player.
Writing a backgammon book (or even revising an old one) isn't
necessarily a money making adventure today, unlike the boom times
when BACKGAMMON was originally published. Given that the book is
still considered a valuable asset, it's not clear that a revision
would be that much different than the original.
If you're looking for followup material, Robertie's ADVANCED
BACKGAMMON (2 vols.) and Woolsey's and Heinrich's NEW IDEAS IN
BACKGAMMON (plus Woolsey's HOW TO PLAY TOURNAMENT BACKGAMMON) fit
the bill nicely, IMO. After that, about anything by Danny Kleinman.