[Robertie]

The Cruelest Game is a real paradox, (as Barclay himself might say). It's probably the most entertaining book ever written on backgammon, as Barclay Cooke was an excellent writer and really loved his subject. No other book is as likely to get you so interested in the game itself.

Unfortunately, the advice in the book is awful, and his follow-up, "Paradoxes and Probabilities" is even worse. If you absorb these books and his theories, you're going to have to spend a long time relearning the game at some later date. Save yourself some misery and learn the game from good books.