1 FEBRUARY 1930, Page 32

. As a rule we do not pay much attention

to publishers' puffs, but it would be difficult to disagree with the " reader's " estimate of Correct Contract Bridge, by E. V. Shepard (Noel Douglas, 6s.). It really is " astonishingly good." We have read many new books on Contract during the last six months, but there is not one which we can recommend-so unreservedly to the novice. He will find everything that he wants to know lucidly and sanely expounded without any irritating pre- judices, and if he bases his play on Mr. Shepard's advice, he will not go far wrong. The expert player will naturally turn to Mr. Shepard without waiting for an introduction. There are a few misprints of no importance (taken apparently from the American edition), such as K for X on p. 162. For the benefit of English players an inset conveniently summarizes the main modifications introduced by the Portland Club Code Of December, 1929.