Jeremy Harwood

This expertly presented book gives all the information needed to begin playing cards, with advice on the rules and strategies of each game. The bulk of the book is 200 card games, covers fun and classic games for families and friends. Special sections on poker and bridge guide you through all the basic information needed to begin playing. For every card game there is an explanation of the type of pack required, ideal age, playing and scoring, and plenty of diagrams of sample games. This beautifully presented guide is a great resource for all card game enthusiasts. Suitable for beginners and advanced players alike, this practical book will teach you everything you need to play a variety of exciting games* Learn how to play classics such as Baccarat, Cribbage, Go Fish, Gin Rummy and Kaluki * Similar card games are grouped, so it is simple to find fun and challenging family games as well as advanced games * A special focus on poker gives rules and winning strategies, skills and tactics, with useful tips for players at all levels as well as expert guidance for professional players * Clearly explained with more than 1200 easy-to-follow photographs and illustrations

Freemasonry is part of a long tradition of Western mysticism, steeped in an enduring and eclectic mixture of historical fact and legend. Much of the ritual and symbolism prevalent in Freemasonry has developed over many centuries and relies heavily on notions inherited from the customs and practices of medieval stonemasons. In this absorbing book, the history and legends of the Freemasons – from links with the Knights Templar, their explorations into alchemy and the hermetic tradition, through the age of Enlightenment and the founding fathers of the USA, to the Victorians and up to the present day – are discussed alongside the mystical symbolism of the Square and the Compass, the Five-pointed Star, the All-seeing Eye, and the Sun and the Moon. Illustrated throughout, this intriguing account will appeal to anyone interested in this ‘secret’ Brotherhood.

This book presents the history, rules and winning strategies for bridge, whist, hearts, canasta and many other games, with 200 photographs and diagrams. It is a compendium of the greatest card games from around the world, with clear diagrams of sample deals and hands providing an invaluable visual guide. It details the number of players for each game. It includes professional tips and expert guidance for advanced play in serious games of chance and skill. This beautifully presented compendium explores classic card games from every continent that many players will immediately want to add to their repertoire. The practical heart of the book details all kinds of advanced card games. For every game there is a full explanation of the rules, the type of pack required, card ranking, ideal age, playing and scoring. Diagrams of sample games in play make instructions easy to follow. This is a wonderful resource for all card game enthusiasts. The expert advice and lively background information will appeal to anyone wanting to settle a dispute about rules, find a new game or discover more about the incredible range of card games.

Who torched the crack French liner Normandie in New York Harbour? What happened to the priceless art treasures the Nazis looted from across occupied Europe? Was Hitler incurably ill? Did British and American naval experts unwittingly help the Japanese to plan their devastating attack on Pearl Harbor? How close did the Third Reich get to building an atomic bomb first? Intriguing questions like these are all part of the rich mixture of World War II history. Sometimes, however, there are riddles that still have not been fully deciphered. Unexplained Mysteries of World War II showcases the best of the best, drawing on the latest historical research to come up with at least some of the answers. The result is a fascinating, informative read that is as much adventure story as it is straight history.

World War Two From Above tells the amazing story of the daring photo-reconnaissance flyers and backroom boffins whose role was key in helping the Allies win the war. Copiously illustrated with aerial photographs drawn from the archives of the major Allied and Axis powers, this book examines all the theatres of the war; from Europe to the Pacific.

This title features hours of fun for players of all ages. It is a comprehensive, practical guide to more than 100 of the best-loved card games, explaining how to play and win: including the history, rules and strategies of each game. It includes patience and solitaire; point-trick games; catch and collect; fishing games; adding games; shedding games; beating games; rummy games; banking games; all fours games; solo games; and piquet games. It offers clear instructions make games fun and easy for beginners, provide guidance for intermediates, and act as an essential reference for expert players. It covers a vast selection of the most popular games played today, including klondike, gin rummy, blackjack, pontoon, solo whist and cribbage, and introduces exciting lesser-known games for all the family from every corner of the world. It games at every level of expertise for friends and all the family to enjoy time and again. This practical, exciting and brilliantly researched book is the essential reference for card-game players of every level anywhere in the world. All the classic and most popular card games are gathered here, including rummy, baccarat, casino, beggar-my-neighbour, thirty-one, slapjack and snap, plus scores of lesser-known treats and gems such as ombre, go fish and spit. There is sure to be a game here for players of every level, from toddlers who can hold a few cards to the most experienced grandparent wanting to pass on their enthusiasm for cards. For every game there is a complete list of rules, backed up by simple explanations on getting started quickly. Then there are sample hands, strategic pointers, and tips and hints from the author about how to win. This beautifully presented book is a wonderful resource for anyone who enjoys a game of cards and wants to find a new game for the family to enjoy.

This is a fantastic compendium of the greatest card games from around the world, including the history, rules, and winning strategies for each game, with more than 400 illustrations. It covers everything from fun and simple games for beginners and family players, to professional tips and expert guidance for advanced play in serious games of chance. It is a comprehensive, practical guide to over 200 games, explaining how to play and win. It offers clear instructions make the book a useful one for players at all levels - beginners, intermediates and experts. It covers all the world's most popular games, including bridge, gin rummy, blackjack, poker, solitaire, piquet and cribbage. It details the rules of each game, with strategies for play, history and fascinating facts about famous players. This essential reference for card-game players brings together all the best card games, including canasta, bridge, rummy, blackjack, cribbage, whist, solitaire and poker. The book opens with a brief history of cards, with tutorials for beginners on general play, and a gold mine of tips for intermediate and advanced players. The practical heart of the book is divided into two sections covering trick-taking and non-trick taking games. Here are all the classics plus scores of lesser-known treats such as Thirty-One Rum and Spit. Whether you want to settle a dispute about rules or find a new game for the family, this is the only book you will ever need on the subject.

This reference joins the range of Collins Gems on drink and is a companion to "Collins Gem Spirits". For each cocktail, details are provided on ingredients, instructions on making and presenting a cocktail and some background to its creation.