Review by Choice Review
In this volume, Fine (sociology, Northwestern Univ.) attempts to explain the world of chess, a significant leisure activity worldwide. Rather than examining how the game is played, the author emphasizes the players, playing style, and particular games--delving into both the mores of the game and the chess players and their behavior. Brief sketches of some of the world's best players are included, as are references to many of the major tournaments and their venues. Fine looks especially at chess in the US and in the Soviet Union, the home of the world's finest players during much of the 20th century. Differences and idiosyncrasies of players are thoughtfully parsed. The audience for this sociological study of chess will extend to players, be they novices or experts. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels --Geoffrey J. Martin, Southern Connecticut State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Fine, an ethnographer who has previously written about the cultures of restaurant work (Kitchens), Little League baseball (With the Boys), and high school debate (Gifted Tongues), among others, turns his attention to the world of competitive chess in a sociological study that examines people, rules, and techniques. The chess world, he asserts, is "built on clusters of tiny publics, wispy groups that appear for a pleasant weekend and vanish like the snow." To dissect it, he draws on five years of field studies, conducted from 2006 to 2010, as well as 50 individual interviews. As Fine gets into the psychological tricks, the great personalities (e.g., Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov), and the legendary matches, he shows that chess is both a casual game and a serious business. "Chess reveals the power of a world to build a game and the power of a game to build a host of worlds," he concludes. While this volume will be of most interest to the serious sociologist or ethnographer, Fine's insights into the complexities of the game and its practitioners may prove useful to determined strategists and those interested in more deeply understanding the "game of kings." (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Review by Library Journal Review
Don't be fooled; this is not a book about chess. It is, however, a scholarly text that examines the world of serious chess players from the viewpoint of a sociologist. The society that Fine (sociology, Northwestern Univ.; Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality) describes is open to all who share the fascination (or obsession) with the game and is tolerant of their various idiosyncrasies. He outlines the norms of behavior within the game along with its cultural heritage. Written in a classic pedagogical style, each chapter opens with a statement of its main theme and closes with a summary and a description of what comes next. The author, a professional observer of the game, captures the ambience at club and tournament events and the camaraderie among serious competitors. Of great interest is the portrayal of the personality types that will be easily recognizable to anyone who is a dedicated player or who is closely acquainted with one. VERDICT Students of sociology as well as chess players and game players in general will embrace this well-written book.-Harold D. Shane, mathematics emeritus, Baruch Coll. Lib., CUNY © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
