Each chapter takes a principle, helps the reader understand it, and gives examples, plus a quiz on the subject. A great help if you seem to guess right half the time or less when playing the dummy.
Mike Lawrence's first book was a winner. Chapters deal with increasingly sophisticated techniques and deductions, all building upon each other. Learning to apply these concepts is a rite of passage for the intermediate player who wants to move to the next level. I am sure I will reread parts of this book and derive new understanding each time.
Within pages you are going to become better at working out which of your opponent's has which critical cards. After each section Mike Lawrence sets quizzes which force you to go through the same process that you go through at the table.
This book offers tremendous insight in how to deduct what cards lie where with your opponents. The only thing I can say negatively is some parts of it seem a little dated and there are a few examples that I would question on how the conclusions were reached. Having said that, the book is excellent is giving a framework on what to look for and how to deduce what cards lie where. It also gives some great examples when you have to have a certain card be on one side or the other and then how to go about determining your play.
A very worthwhile book. It is a must for any average player. The thing is I have come across many of the recommendations before but I need the determination and willpower to execute them. Take the two minutes study for every hand in order to recap the bidding, count the points and work out the distribution of the opponents' hands. Although I tell myself every evening at the club to do this, I am almost always distracted by other factors as: Am I in the right contract ?, will this be a good score ? or how nasty are these opponents again!
Great bridge book. I know it is old (one of his first), but it still resonates twenty years later when I read it a second time. Clear, to the point, and not over-loaded with detail on a single topic. A fast survey of ideas that still has plenty of support.