Customer Reviews

The Columbus Book of Euchre, Second Edition

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Columbus Book of Euchre, 2nd Edition is an update of the
original book. A lot of the material is the still the same; a sort of "re-hash" of the old, and somewhat dull, 1982 edition. However, there are some interesting and informative additions.
And a sincere credit should be given for the positive features.
This book does have some great strategies and a wonderful home-spun humerous approach to the game of euchre. The fact that it does not have one illustrative hand of euchre is peculiar. But then again, fancy layouts of hands are not absolutely essential to get a point or two across. Overall, it is a decent book, and I liked it for the most part.

For the record, I looked at the reviews for this (newest) edition
a few weeks ago, and I noticed that some of the less than favorable reviews were culled. Thus, it appears that Mr. Bumppo has a sensitivity to any negative publicity.

Then we have a "cluster" of kids' five star reviews, which have
the effect of inflating the overall star rating for this book.
Some of these five stars reviews make the whole review process
a mockery, to say the least!

Finally, there is the persistent effort by Mr. Bumppo or his "fans" to continually post negative comments in forums and message boards about other writer's euchre books.

In spite of all of the above, I still recommend acquiring this
book, as it will improve your game.


Thus, it will be interesting, indeed, to see if this review, which
is honest and fair, is summarily deleted from this review area.

It is good to read about Euchre as it is actually played, and the humour used adds a lot to the book. It was fun to see comments about how different states or countries (incl. Canada) play the game.

The history of the game, and the derivation of the terms, also add value, as do the reviews of other books included at the back of this one.

If you buy it and use it you will find your game improving, even if you don't 'cheat'.

The only 'nit', and it is a minor one, is that as a desktop publishing item the pages are irregular, making it somewhat more difficult to 'flip' to the desired page.

Certainly this book is irreverent. However, it is good, they know it, so they flaunt it. There are very few euchre books in print. Of those, this is the only one that I recommend to other euchre players (about 20-25 of us meet monthly Sep-May). I sure wish more good books would come out.

The Columbus Book of Euchre starts out well with some interesting information about the origin of the game. And there are a lot of homespun anecdotal stories about Euchre in the midwest. Mr. Bumppo tells you all about the local card-playing folks in Indiana, and you feel like you are in a game of Euchre at the local bar or someone's house!
I really liked the "campy" terminology for the plays which he describes. And I laughed uproariously when I read the opinions that Mr. Bumppo has about Euchre players in Michigan and Canada. He gives you an earthy and almost "country" style approach to the game.
Then I started reaching for some substance. There was so little emphasis on strategy and techniue. Oh yes, there more "ploys", cutesy stories, and slapstick comedy. It seems that Mr. Bumppo was having the Three Stooges over for a night of beer, cigarettes, and Euchre.
Finally, I went to my computer and found my friends at a game in Yahoo.
I am not putting The Columbus Book of Euchre into the toilet. It does have some value. Instead, I am telling you that there is a better alternative. Read the good information in the Internet, including Mr. Bumppo's own Euchre site. Or do a google search for Euchre strategy. You will save $13 plus shipping, and learn a lot more. Mr. Bumppo reminds me a little bit of the character in the Twilight Zone" story - "Hocus, Pocus, and Frisbee" which tells the tale about a man in the early 1900's who claims to abducted by aliens. A lot of tall tales, here. And then the poor fellow is really abducted by aliens on a flying saucer who eventually release him. But now his friends don't believe him. And much like this Book. You just don't know if Mr. Bumppo really know Euchre. Hocus, Pocus and Frisbee - or
"Where's the Beef"?

This book has a gift of showing you how to play euchre with as little headache as I think is possible, very self explanatory. I also liked the different strategic styles of play. I would like very much to play against some of the players that Natty pits himself against.

What is so good about this book is that it describes the way euchre really is played, not the way you find it in most playing card encyclopedias.

And it describes the way the game is played all over the world, with notes on regional differences. An earlier reviewer seems to have misunderstood the author's "Southern Indiana" focus. That "Indiana thing" is mythology, not colloquialism -- and very funny mythology it is!

What is so good about this book is that it describes the way euchre really is played, not the way you find it in most playing card encyclopedias.

And it describes the way the game is played all over the world, with notes on regional differences. An earlier reviewer seems to have misunderstood the author's "Southern Indiana" focus. That "Indiana thing" is mythology, not colloquialism -- and very funny mythology it is!

"Harry W." of Gary, Ind., asks the following questions about the Columbus Book of Euchre in his review of April 28, 2005; and I offer the following answers:

Q. Is this book written with a local flavor. . . ?

A. Yes. It sets the mythological center of the euchre universe in Columbus, Indiana.

Q. . . . or is it a good guide for euchre players from all over the country?

A. Yes. Please note that the two parts of your first question do not invite mutually contradictory answers.

Q. Are there any swear words published in this book?

A. Yes. See page 38. If you consider "b---s---" to be a swear word, see also pages 29, 31, 33, and 55 (and 84, in the index).

Q. Has anyone had this book for a long time, and does the quality of the paper and cover hold up after weeks or months of use?

A. Yes. I have not only the second edition, which I bought in 1999, but also the first edition, which I have had since 1982; and both are in better condition than my Bible (and I hardly ever read the Bible. After all, I play cards).

Q. Does Mr. Bumppo "bash" or "trash" other euchre authors in his book?

A. Yes. He tells it like it is.

Q. And finally, would you recommend the Columbus Book of Euchre to your friends or family?

A. Absolutely. Especially to my ex-wife. She's really stupid.

I am relatively new to the game of Euchre, and want to buy a good, instructional book. I also want to play in tournaments at my local bar and Elks Hall. I have looked at a few listings in Amazon.com It seems that some Euchre books are out of print, and others are unavailable. I do like the information about Grandpa Ellis' Book, and I will try to find it. I also looked at information about a Euchre book by by Joe Andrews, and another Euchre book by Joe Wergin. So many books! So little time! Many people have told that Ellis' Book is an absolute Euchre reference source. I am also considering The Columbus Book of Euchre, as a supplment to Mr. Bumppo's Book. I borrowed a copy from one of my friends, and had only a few hours to read it. Some of the contents looked very good, but I just did not have the time to give this book a complete evaluation. Thus, I chose four stars.

I checked out the other reviews when I went to this page, and I want to know if all of the negativity is true. Has anyone out there read this book in its entirety and with a fair and unbiased viewpoint? A few questions come to mind:

Is this book written with a local flavor, or is it a good
guide for Euchre players from all over the country?

Are there any swear words published in this book?

Has anyone had this book for a long time, and does the quality
of the paper and cover hold up after weeks or months of use?

Does Mr. Bumppo "bash" or "trash" other Euchre authors in his book? (I am inclined to think that he would not, and that any negative comments about any other Euchre author were written by a contributor to his book.)

And finally, would you recommend The Columbus Book of Euchre to your friends or family?

Let's be fair, and stop the junk, and tell the truth here.

I was expecting a very boring read. Instead I found myself laughing out loud. The people used to describe the game were memorable. A must read for all card game lovers.