recommend a book/resource for learning about.....

[ElDuque]

The theory and practice of Golf short-game:

Dave Pelz's Putting Bible & Short Game Bible.

Guy used to be a physcist working at NASA and then decided to dedicate himself to the scientific study of golf.

[octopi]

I want to know more about Greek mythology! I prefer book format, but am also okay with online resources.

[cobrakai111]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd like to learn more about basic political theory, particularly in the US but World politics interests me too.

Are there any basic primers or websites that discuss foundational issues such as the left/right spectrum, conservative vs. liberal, the origin of our existing political parties and their original platforms vs. today, etc...? (Ideally something non-biased if that's even possible.)

Basically when I try to have an intelligent discussion about politics I feel extremely undereducated and I'd like to know a little more what I'm talking about.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its going to be hard to find a book like this that is completely dry and boring to read like a typical poli sci text book. There is always Politics for Dummies and Congress for Dummies.

factcheck.org and politics1.com are two of my favorite websites. Also put yourself on the political wire daily email list. They have great AP style blurbs every morning to keep one informed.

[kitaristi0]

For anyone interested in learning card tricks all you need is Royal Road to Card Magic and Expert Card Technique by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braue. Both are excellent books that just keep on giving. RRTCM has also been made into a five volume DVD that has some improvements and additions to the original book, so that may be a better choice for someone who prefers to have an award-winning magician (Paul Wilson) show you the moves and tricks in detail.

If you are interested in coin tricks you cannot go wrong with Modern Coin Magic by J.B. Bobo. That and a lot of practice is all it takes.

If you're interested in mentalism get Corinda's 13 Steps to Mentalism and Annemann's Practical Mental Magic.

[Leaky Eye]

I would like to learn to train dogs for narcotics detection.

[JaBlue]

[ QUOTE ]
chess - depends on the level you're at....pachman's book (modern chess theory or something?) is amazing but v dry...dvortesky's books are ridic good esp. his endgame manual dealio. Silman's stuff is easier to read but he essentially just is compiling stuff from my nimzovich and pachman and then adding a bit of humor and less good analysis.

Yugoslav

[/ QUOTE ]

if you're only going to ever get one chess book it should probably be Nimzowich's My System.

Other than that I highly recommend manual of combinations v 1, 2, 3 - covers all [yes ALL] skill levels, gets progressively harder

While Dvoretsky is great, its really only suitable for higher level players- probably expert and beyond. Endgame manual is an exception but that also has some really tough stuff in it.

Best thing to do in chess would be to get a coach and analyze your own games.

[JaBlue]

[ QUOTE ]
I want to know more about Greek mythology! I prefer book format, but am also okay with online resources.

[/ QUOTE ]

Edith Hamilton: Mythology

This is what you want.

[7ontheline]

[ QUOTE ]

Edith Hamilton: Mythology

This is what you want.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ugh. My English teacher described this book thusly:

"Take all the drama, humor, humanity, and gripping stories out of Greek mythology and replace it with a dry, boring account and you have this book."

I tend to agree - there HAS to be better book out there, although I don't know what it is. This is basically a tiny little textbook. If that's all you need, then fine but otherwise I'd pass.

[turnipmonster]

dean,
I'd like to read a broad overview of different schools of thought for both macro and micro, but mainly I am interested in macro stuff. how does the fed decide to raise interest rates? I am also interested in currency related stuff, for example how and why currencies are pegged to each other and what implications stuff like this has, etc.

probably very basic stuff for any of you econ guys.

[SNOWBALL]

This is a book that talks about how economic thought evolved throughout history. It also has biographies of different economists and gives you a general idea of their contributions to economics.