Excellent guide with real strategy
Rating:
5 / 5
Unlike most so-called strategy guides, which are really rehashes of the game manual, Rymaszewski's book outlines a legitimate strategy which players of CivII can use to succeed at the game on its hardest settings (Emperor and Deity).The author knows his book is different; he recommends that the most effective way to use it is to simply "read it, and then play the game again". In other words, _Advanced Strategies_ is not a step-by-step walkthrough, nor is it a comprehensive references source full of charts and tables. Instead, it is an outline of a new way of thinking about the game. I recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with CivII. While Rymaszewski's advice cannot compete with the level of detail available on some CivII-related Web sites, his clear writing style and no-nonsense approach to the game make _Advanced Strategies_ well worth its list price.
A solid Intermediate-wanting-to-win-at-Diety-Level book...
Rating:
4 / 5
This is a fairly good book, but is rather thin for the price. It seems targeted to the Intermediate Civ2 player -- anyone who is looking to refing winning high-level play strategy will find it rather redundant.However, if you are struggling at King or Emperor level, this book will help you. It's targeted to building a sound empire, then winning (albiet sloppily) at Emperor and Diety levels; however, it will not help with most of the more subtle play at those levels (e.g., getting your score from 3,000 to 15,000 by 1850 AD, etc.). This book does discuss solid fundamentals, how to deal with unhappiness, how to start a strong empire, etc. It does not cover things such as the OCC (one city challenge), getting your top Diety score above 20,000, and the game's more subtle idiosyncracies (max advances, the food caravan 'trick', cheapest way to rush build, etc.). The cutting edge strategies still reside on the Internet, or maybe you'll discover them during extended gameplay. PS, If you still seek a challenge, take the OCC (though this book does not help). OCC game rules are simple: you are only allowed ONE--that's right--ONE city, no cheating, no takebacks (unless a hut gives you a city); game setup: Diety level, small world, 7 civs, raging hordes. Your single city against the world... Top players can LAND a spaceship by 1900 AD, and the best have done it before 1850... Questions? My email is civII@bigfoot.com
Sand Pirates pulls you in to the story and won't let you go.
Rating:
5 / 5
Sand Pirates is not only a romance, it's a breezy mix of suspense, mystery and thrills beyond ones wildest dreams. It takes you far away to a land of fantasy. I was intrigued by the characters that were well developed and interesting. The story moves fast and keeps the blood pumping. The twist and turns of the plot and the island of Sava made me feel as if I were there. by- Kim Sandford author of Secret Fears
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