Mornington Crescent is a game whose rules and history are shrouded in myth and legend. Games can last as long as a few minutes and the best rival chess in their intellectual dexterity, poker in their subtlety and cunning and Ker-Plunk! in their ability to turn youth and age into one harmonious sort of thing. This book is a history of the game and a study of the great players who have graced the game over nearly a century. It includes testimony from today's great exponents and hints from the professionals on how to play the game more effectively. I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue is the most listened-to comedy programme on British radio, an institution with regular panellists Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, Barry Cryer and until 1996 Willie Rushton, being given silly things to do by jazz supremo Humphrey Lyttelton - and it is the only BBC radio show other than the Proms that can charge for admission!
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Amazon Review
Mornington Crescent is a game which has baffled fans of the Radio 4 show I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue for years. Among their frequently asked questions are "What are the rules of Mornington Crescent?", "Does Mornington Crescent have rules, and if so what are they?" and "Mornington Crescent: rules, please?". Here--at last--written by the four men in the country least likely to be able to help, is a little book which goes little or no way towards answering such queries. Naturally, The Little Book does contain an informative section on the rules of play but as these are incomprehensible to anyone who does not already know them, the section never strays from basics such as the helpful reminder that
if a player moves to such a location that there are less than two occupied bases between the location played and the next but one Shift Zone, Morton's Convention being in play, whether the Loop has been vectored from either Diagonal or not... then that move is declared under-struck.The Little Book of Mornington Crescent offers far more than mere analysis. With painstaking accuracy, the authors plot the game's history, from its origins in the Roman Empire to its present day popularity as a subject for discussion on the Internet. There are detailed discussions of key games and potted biographies of some of Mornington Crescent's most celebrated players, ranging from Mother Anna of Widdicombe to Lord Nelson. Lavishly, almost gratuitously, illustrated with black and white photographs of dubious provenance, the book includes a comprehensive glossary and even recipes for such staples as Tufnell Pork and Shepherd's Bush Pie. In fact, so informative is this book that it may be prudent to recall Jeremy Hardy's words of wisdom: "If you've understood Mornington Crescent, nothing else in your life makes sense". --Anoushka Alexander --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Never before published official history and rules of the arcane gentleman's game of Mornington Crescent.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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NO ONE knows for sure when the game called 'Mornington Crescent' was devised, nor by whom. Read the first page
Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
NO ONE knows for sure when the game called 'Mornington Crescent' was devised, nor by whom. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By Day Lo
Format:Paperback
For many years I have wondered how the Hither Green bypassing Blackheath gambit could work. Thanks to this book and references to the Sommmerly-Styles Version (circa 1947) I have devised a cunning strategy using Croydon East (it is allowed!)and Bromley by Bow when faced with the South East London tri-merger.
There is still a Wapping Gap in my knowledge though, I have to say. Happy playing!
There is still a Wapping Gap in my knowledge though, I have to say. Happy playing!
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By M. Miller
Format:Hardcover
I was recently given this book, and although it took a while to read, due to the many and varied digressions from the subject at hand, some of the explanations in this book have really aided my understanding of the rules of Mornington Crescent, and I have actually been able to hold my own at club level (still losing each game, but at least making the other players sweat now!)
I do agree with other reviewers that more effort could be made to explain the rules in simpler terms, but then the game would become accessible to any old riff-raff, in the same way that Tennis and Cricket have in recent years.
Let's hope that we soon see a sequel that will give us even more insights into advanced play!
I do agree with other reviewers that more effort could be made to explain the rules in simpler terms, but then the game would become accessible to any old riff-raff, in the same way that Tennis and Cricket have in recent years.
Let's hope that we soon see a sequel that will give us even more insights into advanced play!
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
One minor dissapointment is that this otherwise perfectly researched rule book does not shed any light on the effects this year's opening of the Jubilee Line had. Is it now possible to supercede after a parallel move? And being German one other omission saddened me: how does the right-hand traffic on the continent affect the rules for the international version of MC? However, all in all a must for any Sorry I haven't a clue afficcionado!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious...
Very British humour, no doubt, ideal for lovers of Radio 4 comedy, and similar intelligent nonsense. Read more
Published 2 months ago by A customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Happy husband
I purchased this little book on Monday night for my husband for Valentines Day and it arrived on Tuesday morning, I was very very pleased, and as a fan of the radio show needless... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Glynybabe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Complete bliss!
The complete guide To Mornington Crescent, history of the roots of the game. players past and present and of course the rules on how to play the game, which confuse the living... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Neil Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Amazon are offering new copies of this book at prices from £42.13. The cover on my hardback copy shows rrp £6.99. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Suebee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Game
I really enjoyed getting this little book I only heard about the game when I was in Ben Nevis last October and its fun.
Published on 19 Jan 2010 by Mrs. S. Primiano
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mornington Crescent
If you are looking to learn the rules for Mornington Crescent, this little book is all you need.
It gives information on the history and development of the Radio 4 game; the... Read more
It gives information on the history and development of the Radio 4 game; the... Read more
Published on 26 July 2009 by C. Weston
5.0 out of 5 stars
Caution: diagonal side-splitting can put you in Nid.
Finally, I can get from Northolt to MC in under 71 moves! Although it is necessary to be wary of the shambling wugu-beast of the District-Line. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2008 by Dorkomatic
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear and concise
An excellent and straightforward introduction to the game for novice and advanced player alike - well done!
Published on 14 July 2007 by Mr. Jonathan F. Fryer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mornington Crescent through the ages!
I loved this book. If you thought it was funny on Radio 4, then you ain't seen nothing yet! It must be said there are no actual rules to Mornington Crescent, regardless what you... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
St John's Wood. Snoods Dormant
Well I believe that St John's Wood with snoods dormant (yes, that old Trellis fravourite!) will be a fine follow-up. LV steady.
Published on 18 Oct 2001
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