Arkell's Odyssey

[Andy Price]

I bought a copy in Paignton. I bought it because Keith was signing copies and because I like the chap. When I have played him he has always been polite and friendly, and treated me with respect, despite my lowly grading. I didn't know what to expect from the book but I've read it from cover to cover and found it a good read. I haven't played through all the games yet but so far I've liked the style of commentary, just the broad outline, without long boring analysis.

[Sean Hewitt]

...without long boring analysis.

Unlike the authors endgames

[Stewart Reuben]

I don't see much point to 'ordinary' autographs, though I know some people collect them. I do like personally inscribed books, CDs and DVDs from people I have met. Thus I will buy Keith's book only at a time when I can then get him to sign my copy.
It will be more difficult to get Walter Brown to sign his new autobiography, although I am told I am mentioned, as I don't know when I will see him.
We are privileged that so many chessplayers are so creative.

[Geoff Chandler]

Players game collections are really the only book I enjoy and read.
(The Oxford Companion is a brilliant exception)

I also pay much attention to what average players say about a book
rather than follow some magazine or net site reviewer.

Comments "...just the broad outline." regarding analysis is what I'm after.
That is a 90% sale to me. I'll pick it up in a few weeks hopefully at the Edinburgh Congress.

Not quite looking forward to all those Caro Kanns (are there many?)
It would be like taking medicine.
I know it will be good for me and written up by someone who has earned his
living with this opening it will be very enlightening and instructive.
But the taste of the medicine.....
....I'll have my favourite book of Opening Traps standing by to add that spoonful of sugar.

Some how kind of looking forward to it.

[Simon Brown]

I haven't bought a chess book for about 30 years, but I'm going to buy this one.

[Peter D Williams]

...without long boring analysis.

Unlike the authors endgames

That is a much better comment by you bronze star today keep coming back on here and one day your get a gold star

Keith rather good at endgames so maybe that is a good reason to buy his book!.

[Keith Arkell]

Thanks to you all for putting together a thread on my book, and particularly for the positive nature of most of the posts.

I took a risk by writing in such a deeply personal way but saw no point in making it an auto-biography otherwise, so if anyone who has now read it wants to make any constructive comments here, then please do so - I'd appreciate it.

Frustratingly, a few errors crept in AFTER my proof - reader, Peter Griffiths, had done an impeccable job, so there is nothing I could have done about that. For example there are diagram errors in games 1 and 11; some page numbers in the index are wrong; 'IM' is missing from Andrew Ledger's name; and, annoyingly, Aly Wilson's name has been changed to 'Ali'. Sorry about that Aly. I will make sure that these mistakes are corrected for the next run.

Amongst the easiest ways to get hold of the book on-line are 'Amazon UK', 'Chess Direct' or 'Chess & Bridge'. If anyone is aware of other outlets, perhaps they could mention them here.

Cheers again, Keith

[Michael Bennett]

I noticed Tony Peterson has it for sale too. Good to support small businesses, I think.

http://ukbookworld.com/book-for-sale/to ... randmaster

[Jonathan Bryant]

I noticed Tony Peterson has it for sale too.

I've ordered quite a bit of stuff from Tony in the past. To say that the service he gives is first rate really doesn't do him justice.

[raycollett]

I noticed Tony Peterson has it for sale too.

Keith is currently visiting Midlands clubs and has copies for sale. At Worcester the other day I think he sold 8 copies. I believe he is in Redditch next week.

[Michele Clack]

Keith will be at Redditch Chess Club for a book signing event next Tuesday 23rd October. It should be an interesting evening.