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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fine ship - needs a ha'porth of tar., 7 Nov 2001
Dr. Nunn is well appreciated for quality, content and comprehensiveness, also for the clarity of his English. This collaboration with Colin McNab is no exception. The partners pack more into any one chapter than many others stretch to libraries.In twenty-two chapters, they cover Pirc's invention, including related lines from the Modern Defence. They provide relevant introductions, annotations, diagrams and conclusions. They close with a more than useful "Index of Variations". As far as I can see, transpositions are well documented and we can trust stated opinions. Little seems to be missing. At my standard, and for many better, this is a major work on its topic. Award full marks for content. What a shame that the whole is poorly presented. It reminds me of timetables from my youth. They were navigated easily - until reaching specifics. We might argue concerning indexing methods, but that chosen is common to many works. It should cause few difficulties. No real complaints here, but try tracing lesser references. Try separating variations from text. Let us agree that cost considerations prevent spacing better the material. Let us agree that fonts should not be mixed. Whilst that removes petty annoyances, too much zeal adds others. Given such considerations, much can yet be done with bolds, italics and point size. Some consistent attempts are made. They fail. Footnotes, used intelligently, add to clarity. They are not used. We know 'they' can do better. Other works by the authors demonstrate it. Batsford's other publications demonstrate it. This book's editor preferred different standards and applied consistently them. The faults are compounded by the use of a font that does not distinguish clearly attempts made, but it is otherwise legible and of proper size. Do not blame merely my eyesight. Like many I do not own perfect vision. A small sample, from those that do, found similar difficulties. Despite its faults, this book must be rated important, perhaps essential, to any actual, or intending, Pirc Defence player. If the Pirc is for you, or you meet regularly it, get this book. If you are a 'modernist' pause and think before you bypass it. Only those as expert as these authorities dare ignore its content. Players stronger than me concur.
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