backgammon--question about references and theory

[easternbloc]

so recently I've developed an interest in backgammon as another way to gamble on a skill-based game. one of the first books I bought to read on the subject was paul magriel's tome 'backgammon.' since my first reading and reading other sources on backgammon theory, it came to my attention that some of the points made in the book were outdated compared to the theory present today (such as magriel's suggestion to play and opening 53 bringing two checkers down from the midpoint rather than securing the 3 point).

my two questions:

1) can anyone point out other outdated theories in the book (if it matters, my copy is the third edition from 1978)

2) what more recent books have been written which would be helpful in learning how to play backgammon better (or alternately, are there any really good forums online for backgammon, the few I have found didn't seem to have all that much traffic).


thanks in advance

e_bloc