Book advice

Here is a list of books I am considering and wanted input from people that have them. Are they worth acquiring or not. Thanks in advance for the input.

How to think in chess
by IM Jan Przewoznik and Marek Soszynski 288pp

Excelling at Technical Chess
by Jacob Aagaard, 183pp.

Inside the Chess Mind
by Jacob Aagaard, 157pp.

Excelling at Chess Calculation
by Jacob Aagaard, 192pp.

Excelling at Combinational Play: Learn to Identify and Exploit Tactical Chances
by Jacob Aagaard, 239pp.

How to Attack in Chess
by IM Gary Lane

How to Become a Deadly Chess Tactician
by David LeMoir

Improve Your Attacking Chess
by Simon Williams, 160pp.

Recognizing and Meeting Threats in Chess
by Dan Heisman, 144pp.

Blunders and How to Avoid Them: Eliminate Mistakes from your Play
by Angus Dunnington, 144pp.

I've looked through the Aagard books and they are for advanced players (1800 and over i'd say). Same goes for the Le Moir book which is very good but was too advanced for me at my current level. The Dan Heisman book is excellent, though some of the variations are a bit mind blowing. Full of practical advice. Probably the only book on that list that i'd recommend to you.
Don't know about the others, though i'd be interested in the Dunnington book if anyone has read it and can vouch for it.

How to think in chess <-- I haven't seen this one
by IM Jan Przewoznik and Marek Soszynski 288pp

Excelling at Technical Chess <-- Outstanding
by Jacob Aagaard, 183pp.

Inside the Chess Mind <-- Not a good book
by Jacob Aagaard, 157pp.

Excelling at Chess Calculation <-- Outstanding
by Jacob Aagaard, 192pp.

Excelling at Combinational Play: Learn to Identify and Exploit Tactical Chances <-- Haven't seen this one
by Jacob Aagaard, 239pp.

How to Attack in Chess <-- Haven't seen this one
by IM Gary Lane

How to Become a Deadly Chess Tactician <--Just average
by David LeMoir

Improve Your Attacking Chess <-- Haven't seen this ome
by Simon Williams, 160pp.

Recognizing and Meeting Threats in Chess <-- Haven't seen this one
by Dan Heisman, 144pp.

Blunders and How to Avoid Them: Eliminate Mistakes from your Play
by Angus Dunnington, 144pp. <-- Good book but the title is misleading as you won't eliminate mistakes from your play...

Originally posted by Alopinto

Blunders and How to Avoid Them: Eliminate Mistakes from your Play
by Angus Dunnington, 144pp. <-- Good book but the title is misleading as you won't eliminate mistakes from your play...[/b]

I'd be wary of books that tell you how to avoid blunders or how to become a tactical genius, etc. Look for a well-written book that has more ideas than variations, lots of big diagrams so you don't have to carry a board around, and the author has a sense of humor. No book is going to make you a great player. Book study is only one facet of the program. You have to go over games of your own or go over with a better player, analyze master games, drill on common tactics, study endgames, solve problems, and even then you have a tough road because your opponents are doing the same (if they want to get good too). A lot of these books are written by players who couldn't make it to the top so they make a living dispensing advice to the naive. there is no quick way, no waking up the next morning with &quot;I get it now!&quot; Each book you study is one small step in a long journey. If you can get yourself to enjoy the trip, the reading of good books, playing good players in a friendly atmosphere. I'm not a very good player myself, but i enjoy the game, talking and reading about it. I have plenty of books, but the more i get the more wary i am of buying by the title or blurb on the jacket. RHP is a good place to find reviews, however, because the people here are knowledgable, helpful, and love the game.

Originally posted by buddy2
I'd be wary of books that tell you how to avoid blunders or how to become a tactical genius, etc. Look for a well-written book that has more ideas than variations, lots of big diagrams so you don't have to carry a board around, and the author has a sense of humor. No book is going to make you a great player. Book study is only one facet of the program. ...[text shortened]... to find reviews, however, because the people here are knowledgable, helpful, and love the game.

Originally posted by buddy2
No book is going to make you a great player. Book study is only one facet of the program. You have to go over games of your own or go over with a better player, analyze master games, drill on common tactics, study endgames, solve problems, and even then you have a tough road because your opponents are doing the same .

Yea, I haven't seen anything better than the Silman books on how to analyze a position that doesn't contain tactical threats. And his books are well written, big type, and diagrams, etc. Nice pictures. In other words, he took care in writing and publishing to put out something worthwhile and practical instead of How can I cater to the public of the moment? I know, I'll tell everyone I can teach them to avoid bluinders! That's the ticket. I'll show them a bunch of blunders and how the grandmasters could have avoided them...yea...that's the ticket. It's the old snake oil scam for chess players. Of course, mentioning Fischer will sell another few thousand copies, so how about How to Avoid Blunders As Was Made by Bobby Fischer's Opponents...yea..that's the ticket.

Originally posted by stormyh2os
I understand books are a small facet of the game...I do want to learn quicker than by just playing the game and studying my own games.

I was hoping some decent books would help me get there sooner than later...thus I asked for reviews of books I had seen on a website before I purchased.

I do thank you for the input and will take in consideration wh ...[text shortened]... asing a book. Presently I have none and have only been plaing chess since joining RHP late July.