"Whether you invite friends over for a couple of rounds of Ace-duce-jack or organize a family night with the kids to play Slapjack, you're in for a good time with this huge collection of cards games. A cross-referenced index makes it easy to find a game by name, number of players, or type (general, gambling, solitaire, children's), while easy-to-understand rules and strategies make getting started a breeze. Here's one encyclopedia that's packed with great entertainment!"--Back cover

Universally popular, checkers is one of the world s oldest and most elegantly structured board games and on a high level, it can demand real strategic thought. Put your skill to the test with these puzzles all based on the Standard American game. (Federation rules appear in their entirety.) Each is solvable in no more than six-and-a-half moves, and sometimes, the winner even seems at a serious disadvantage at the start. Quite a few of the solutions list alternative patterns of play. "

This extraordinary reference covers witches, shamen, voodoo priests and priestesses, and oracles; provides the low-down on pentagrams, exorcisms, coven rituals, and conjuring spirits; and tells how to cast spells for protection, invisibility, and illness prevention. Illustrations.

For your amusement, for your edification and inspiration, for livening up that speech you have to give: proverbs have an irresistible power. These little pockets of wisdom say volumes about a culture--so take a tour around the world in words. You'll encounter the lively and colorful sayings from all around the world: Africa and its diaspora (Haiti, Jamaica, and African-American); Central and South America; Mexico; Native American; China, Japan; Italy; Ireland; Scotland; Israel; and the Arab nations.

..".a good one, thanks to its clear, concise descriptions. With more than 500 pages, it covers some 250 games, which are arranged in four categories--general card games, gambling games, solitaires, and children's games--and usefully indexed by the number of players."--Games. 512 pages (all in 2-color), 4 1/16 x 5 1/4.

Tap into the age-old, secret power of runes to create a better and more enriching life. Generally associated with the ancient Northern Europeans, runes are magical symbols that convey the story of creation, life, destruction, and rebirth, and how these forces constantly affect our many levels of being. Runes connect with your body, mind, and spirit, as well as the environment, and are ideal for use in psychological integration, spiritual growth, healing, and magic. Learn the history of runes and the meanings and associations of each symbol. Then discover a wide variety of ways runes can help you find answers to personal questions, increase self-awareness, relieve stress, gain a sense of personal empowerment, and clear out blockages in your life. As you work with these mystical tools you’ll find within them the power to transform yourself.

Over 2,000 objects and images you may encounter in your dreams get expert explanations in this huge, unique, up-to-date reference. The 2,000 entries cover the full range of dream images, from an evening gown (symbolizing culture, beauty, enjoyment, and passion) to leaving on a trip (escape from stress, overwork, conflict); from an eagle (power, freedom, immortality, spirit) to amputation (losing something valuable, feeling that one's needs are ignored). And learn to look at your dreams from different angles--how they might be helping you make decisions or try new adventures. Scan the entries that remind you of dreams you've had in the past, and look up dreams whose meaning might seem obvious to get other possible interpretations. 512 pages (all in 2-color), 4 3/16 x 5 1/4.