A group biography of seven enduring and beloved games, and the story of why—and how—we play them. Checkers, backgammon, chess, and Go. Poker, Scrabble, and bridge. These seven games, ancient and modern, fascinate millions of people worldwide. In Seven Games, Oliver Roeder charts their origins and historical importance, the delightful arcana of their rules, and the ways their design makes them pleasurable. Roeder introduces thrilling competitors, such as evangelical minister Marion Tinsley, who across forty years lost only three games of checkers; Shusai, the Master, the last Go champion of imperial Japan, defending tradition against “modern rationalism”; and an IBM engineer who created a backgammon program so capable at self-learning that NASA used it on the space shuttle. He delves into the history and lore of each game: backgammon boards in ancient Egypt, the Indian origins of chess, how certain shells from a particular beach in Japan make the finest white Go stones. Beyond the cultural and personal stories, Roeder explores why games, seemingly trivial pastimes, speak so deeply to the human soul. He introduces an early philosopher of games, the aptly named Bernard Suits, and visits an Oxford cosmologist who has perfected a computer that can effectively play bridge, a game as complicated as human language itself. Throughout, Roeder tells the compelling story of how humans, pursuing scientific glory and competitive advantage, have invented AI programs better than any human player, and what that means for the games—and for us. Funny, fascinating, and profound, Seven Games is a story of obsession, psychology, history, and how play makes us human.

The inspirational bestseller that ignited a movement and asked us to find our WHY Discover the book that is captivating millions on TikTok and that served as the basis for one of the most popular TED Talks of all time—with more than 56 million views and counting. Over a decade ago, Simon Sinek started a movement that inspired millions to demand purpose at work, to ask what was the WHY of their organization. Since then, millions have been touched by the power of his ideas, and these ideas remain as relevant and timely as ever. START WITH WHY asks (and answers) the questions: why are some people and organizations more innovative, more influential, and more profitable than others? Why do some command greater loyalty from customers and employees alike? Even among the successful, why are so few able to repeat their success over and over? People like Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers had little in common, but they all started with WHY. They realized that people won't truly buy into a product, service, movement, or idea until they understand the WHY behind it. START WITH WHY shows that the leaders who have had the greatest influence in the world all think, act and communicate the same way—and it's the opposite of what everyone else does. Sinek calls this powerful idea The Golden Circle, and it provides a framework upon which organizations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be inspired. And it all starts with WHY.

Several prominent South Carolina football players of the past share their fondest single-game experience and memories. Some of these games are the greatest in school history, while others are ordinary save for significant personal meaning. In each case, it is the player who singles out the game, the moment in time that to him is the most defining of his Gamecock football career. Together these stories weave a tapestry of South Carolina Gamecock football history. Heisman Trophy-winner George Rogers, as well as other legends like ponytailed QB Steve Taneyhill; record-setting QB Todd Ellis; Dan Reaves, an eventual Super Bowl head coach; running back Brandon Bennett; and running back Rob DeBoer are profiled in this unique book. Game of My Life South Carolina Gamecocks takes readers down memory lane, while also providing an in-depth look into the men and games that helped shape and build the Gamecock football heritage.

Lined Journal for Gaming Fan - Hilarious Text Design Amazing cover color, nice design saying 'Life Is Tough That's Why There Is Gaming' and simple lined interior - that's what perfect lined notebook for every gaming fan looks like. 100 white pages in very compact size of 6x9 inches with space for all important notes, thoughts and plans every person needs to write down in their gaming theme journal at univeristy, school, work and not only. It's perfect for youngsaters and older ones. This notebook from our funny hobby series is perfect for: Writing about your great ideas and thoughts at work, at school, at home - you may use it as your beautiful diary, journal or school subject notebook remembering you about what you like to do the most, Writing down your plans, to do lists or describing your dreams, Using it as daily journal - it's compact so use it at work, school and not only. This gaming fan notebook is a good present idea: give it to your children, family member no matter their age who have such hobby as gaming, give it to your friend on Christmas or on their Birthday if they love gaming, it's perfect for your co-worker's birthday if you know their big hobby is gaming. Notebook specification nice and funny design saying 'Life Is Tough That's Why There Is Gaming', 100 pages, soft cover, black and white interior, lined pages and special space for date, 6x9 inches

This New York Times bestseller offers “slam-dunk lessons in teamwork and character” from the NBA hall of famer and former US senator (People). Bill Bradley, whose varied career highlights include a gold-medal win in the Olympics, two world championship victories with the New York Knicks, and three terms as a US senator from New Jersey, writes here about the game that helped form his philosophies for success in basketball and in life. Each chapter is devoted to a value that is fundamental to Bradley’s vision of a purposeful life: passion, discipline, selflessness, respect, perspective, courage, leadership, responsibility, resilience, and imagination. In each, he illustrates these principles with personal anecdotes and observations, creating a concise philosophical treatise that readers can apply to their own lives. With an introduction by Bradley’s friend and teammate Phil Jackson, this “love letter to basketball . . . is every bit as prescient, thoughtful, and just plain valuable a work as you’d expect from a man who never approaches any task without a full commitment” (The Boston Globe). “Bradley hits nothing but net with Values of the Game. Call it The Book of Virtues meets hardwood.” —USA Today “This may be the single most important present a parent can give a sports-loving child.” —The Dallas Morning News

A brilliant tour of mathematical thought and a guide to becoming a better thinker, How Not to Be Wrong shows that math is not just a long list of rules to be learned and carried out by rote. Math touches everything we do; It's what makes the world make sense. Using the mathematician's methods and hard-won insights-minus the jargon-professor and popular columnist Jordan Ellenberg guides general readers through his ideas with rigor and lively irreverence, infusing everything from election results to baseball to the existence of God and the psychology of slime molds with a heightened sense of clarity and wonder. Armed with the tools of mathematics, we can see the hidden structures beneath the messy and chaotic surface of our daily lives. How Not to Be Wrong shows us how--Publisher's description.