[sceptic]

I decided to get a basic book on defence as I seem to have problems there (and loads of other places)

anyway the book is called Really Easy Defence, it is published by the English Bridge Union and it is better than anything else I have read about defence, I am not saying it is better than other books, I just think, it is just very easy to read and very easy to understand, there are examples of what to do in each chair and covers the basics.

I doubt Fred would learn anything from it, but I am sure it will help all the people starting out and trying seriously to improve.

I believe it is part of a series , I will let you know what some of the other books are like as I finish them

[han]

The beginners books by Marty Bergen make excellent reads I think. I remember how I enjoyed reading Points Schmoints when I was just starting to get interested in bridge. To be honest, I still enjoy reading it (don't tell this to anyone who knows me).

[DenisO]

sceptic, on Aug 9 2005, 12:39 AM, said:

I decided to get a basic book on defence as I seem to have problems there (and loads of other places)

anyway the book is called Really Easy Defence, it is published by the English Bridge Union and it is better than anything else I have read about defence,

I'd agree with you on this sceptic - excellent book. I wish something like this had been around 40 years ago when I was starting bridge. You'll not be disappointed in any of the Really Easy series as long as you remember their target audience.

A little further on in the learning curve (but well before you Kelsey's classic books), I would recommend Defensive Plays
by Sally Brock. This was published in 2003 and is one of a series of three which are ideal for improvers/intermediates; the others are No-Trump contracts by David Bird and Suit Contracts by Brian Senior.

[ArcLight]

Good beginner/low-intermediate works on defense:

Defense (software) - Mike Lawrence

How to Defend a Bridge Hand - Bill Root
Its a long book, with a large number of problems. I think thats good as it doesn't just lecture you, it tests you as well.


Nothing too tough, unlike Killing at Defense at Bridge or Defend With Your Life.

[coyot]

I just finished Bill Root's one - and it's a pretty good book. I'd say a must for everyone who considers himself advanced. A chapter or two may seem obvious but then it becomes interesting. Not too repetitious, yet clear and understandable.