In an age where 99% of Britons are (apparently) inveterate gamblers (viz: the lottery) what might, at first blush, appear an arcane legal text is increasingly a must for all interested in the field - from the trackside bookie to the participant in the works' sweepstake. Clearly written, witty and informative, this tome is an absolute steal - buy it now - you won't be disappointed!

William Atwood has written a very exciting book using the latest data on lottery research. Usually, lotto books will use various formulas based on personal opinion and personal bias. Many other lotto books use mystical thinking as a substitute for genuine mathematical reasoning. Atwood uses mathematical reasoning to show step by step how the lottery system is designed and how the quick pick is designed to deliberately create a false probability relationship and that the quick picks tend to be mathematical illusionary because of the lack of numeric understanding of the total numbers at play in a given game. Atwood major problem is that the number of systems needed to play at optimal level is never revealed and consequently you are not sure of the number of systems to be played to increase the winning sequence. Atwook refutes the chaos theorist who believe that the game cannot be broken due to the random numbers given at a single drawing. However, Atwoods analysis is state of the art and will give you a very honest understanding of the nature of the lotto games. Can he guarantee that you will win? This is a question that supercomputer can probably answer in the near future.

give me the winning lotto michigan drawing number to play to become a millonaire this wed.Feb.10,1

really interesting and powerful story. can't wait for the next one!

I loved the illustrations, very well thought out and timely advice for beginners in the financial investment communities. I laughted all the way thru the book due to the hilarous and haunting cartoons. The images stick in your mind long after you've forgotten the text. Good Job

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"The Lottery" is a powerful work of literature and the best short story I ever read. When first published in the "New Yorker" in 1948, it engendered an enormous amount of hate mail; some readers actually canceled their subscriptions. Although now commonly regarded as a masterpiece of short fiction, Jackson's macabre work is still so greatly abhorred by some contemporary readers that they have attempted to get it banned from their local libraries. Indeed, a relacement copy I donatated just quietly disappeared from mine. Why? The few readers I have polled were quick to label the story "terrible" but seemed strangely reluctant to pinpoint their objections; so I can only surmise. I believe the story makes people nervous because they perceive that the community in which the lottery was held is really not all too different from their own. I think Jackson drives home the point that we, too, live in a society rife with superstition and ignorance -- a culture in which ancient traditions are unquestioningly accepted and virtually anyone can suddenly find themselves chosen as a sacrificial offering to an unseen god. When readers see themselves in the role of the ill-fated Mrs. Hutchinson, besieged by a mindless mob of true-believers, they are justifiably terrified. Or could it be that some readers are troubled because they sense in themselves a strong impulse to pick up a stone?

I read "The Lottery" for a project we had to do in eighth grade english class. I read it one night after reading "The Haunting of Hill House." I had heard all of the commotion about "The Lottery" and was in the mood for something shocking. I got what I deserved. My jaw dropped about a mile! I then made my mother read it so that she too could feel the absolute shock I felt. There's nothing like it in the world. None of the other stories compare, either. At school, I tried to explain to my friends how horrifying and awesome it was, but they didn't understand. You really have to experiance it. DO IT! READ IT! PLEASE!!!! The suspense just builds and builds and builds...there's no way of knowing what will happen until the last page. Sadly, when I did my presentation on the story in front of the class, I had to tell them all what happened at the end. Now they will never know the true shock and surprise you feel after you finish "The Lottery."

I first picked up this volume because, shocking as it may seem, I'd never actually read Shirley Jackson's landmark story "The Lottery." That's the last story in the book, so I skipped right to it; and, long story short, I wasn't quite as floored by it as I thought. (Full disclosure, though: I more or less knew the ending already.)

However, as I read through the rest of the stories in the book I was amazed at the range, depth, and general brilliance of Jackson's storytelling. Many of her stories tend to center around basic human cruelty (a theme made all the more powerful by the fact that the characters are mostly genteel females) and insanity. Jackson wrings plenty of drama out of these concepts, to be sure (many of the stories are downright chilling), but she's equally capable of playing them for laughs--in "My Life With R.H. Macy," a hilarious account of working in retail, and the "Come Dance With Me In Ireland," a perfect illustration of the pessimistic axiom, "No good deed goes unpunished."

"The Lottery and Other Stories" is an outstanding body of work from a woman who's clearly one of the best short-storytellers of the past century. It's going on my shelf right next to Raymond Carver's "Where I'm Calling From," and if you knew my reading habits, you'd know that's probably the finest compliment I could give a book.

WEEP NO MORE MY LADY by Mary Higgins Clark Bantan Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. 1987 360 pages Elizabeth Lange, sister of the famouse Leila LaSelle, was determined to put the actess's killer in prison. Leila had bee depresses and moody after receiving a series of poisen-pen letters which led her to drinking. At this point in time, suicide seemed a legitimate escape, that is until a witness cam forth caliming she saw Leila stuggle with her boyfriend, Ted Winters. It was then that Elizabeth began thinking about the conversation she held with her Leila the night of her death, and more closely, the voices she heard in the background. After going over her testimony for the trial agianst Ted, she reluctantly decided to accept an offer to Cypress Point Spa. Min, a close friend of Elizabeth and Leila, insisted she come and relax. Little did Elizabeth know she was going to be put face to face with her sister's killer, as well as many other suspects, all of which were friends of her's. This novel was very enjoyable to read; also a true page-turner. If you have ever read any other novel by Clark, you will find this novel as exciting as many of her others. If not, this novel would be a great Clark novel to start out with. She tends to change the narrator quite often and this change may confuse some readers. This may not be a problem, and if not, this novel should be a perfect one for many who enjoy suspense mysteries. I highly recommend this novel; read Mary Higgins Clark's Weep No More My Lady and find out who was the killer of Leila LaSelle. ~Reviewed by Gemma Patel~

This is truly one of Mary Higgins Clark's best mystery novels, that centers around Elizabeth Lange, in desperate search for some inner peace after her sister's murder. Her sister, Leila, became a model after she and Elizabeth left their abusive parents home at a young age. Leila soon became a movie star and married the wealthy Ted. However, one day after an argument with her husband, she is found dead. The police at first label her death as a suicide, but soon her husband is their number one suspect. Weeks before Elizabeth has to go to trial to testify against Ted, she is invited by a dear, old friend to an exclusive spa where the rich and famous go to find relaxation and seclusion from the public eye. There, she finds that close friends of Leila are also at the spa. She soon has her doubts about Ted being the murderer. During her stay at the spa, other people's lives are in danger, including hers. Who really killed Leila and why? Was it really Ted, as she first suspected, or was it someone else who was close to Leila? Read and find out.

Having read Weep No More, My Lady at least three times and being an avid Higgins Clark reader, I have to say that Mary Higgins Clark definitely put her best work into said book. The plot intrigued me like no other book of hers I have ever read. In Weep No More, My Lady, Elizabeth Lange, a young actress, is grieving over her sister's death more than one year later. Her sister, Leila LaSalle, was murdered at her New York apartment. Preparing to testify against her dead sister's fiancee following his murder indictment in the case, an old friend of hers and accused murderer, Ted Winters, invites her to stay at lovely Cypress Point Spa in California-while Ted is also staying there. Her stay at the spa allows Elizabeth to dwell on her testimony and ponder whether or not it is accurate. As Elizabeth begins to unveil the truth, she is faced with danger. A great book-I definitely recommend this to any Mary Higgins Clark or general suspense fan. A definite page-turner. I could not set this book down!

A great book for anyone wishing to become familiar with all aspects of the game. Describes and illustrates in great detail all that the beginner needs to know to play. Extensive strategy sections with illustrations and scenarios show offensive and defensive techniques. The book covers the Japanese, American, and Chinese versions of the game. My only complaint is that it focuses on the Japanese, and to a lesser extent the American version of the game. Nice tables are provided for both. In order to learn the rules of the less complex Chinese game, one must read through pages of detailed text to reverse engineer the Chinese rules by removing all of the irrelevant bits. No tables are provided for the Chinese rules. It would be better to have started with the original Chinese version of the game and work up to the other two. However, the book is extremely complete, even with a very extensive glossary of terms in Japanese and English. Highly recommended book.

Eleanor Noss Whitney has not only succeeded in writing a concise, understandable, and comprehensive Mah Jong handbook, she has elegantly and expertly distilled into a mere 176 pages the essential tools and strategies to achieve true mastery of this ancient and wonderful game.

Whitney's handbook is the only book that most players will ever need to become a knowledgeable, confident and winning Mah Jong player. The basics of play, including seating, dealer selection, wall-building, tile-dealing and play are laid out clearly with helpful examples and good illustrations. The scoring of Mah Jong is explained with numerous carefully-constructed examples, with helpful diagrams of each tile scenario for good visual reference.

The strategy of the game is brilliantly explained in Part III, again with numerous examples that gradually train beginning players how to quickly make strategic decisions to enhance their play. As Whitney explains, Mah Jong is a game governed by sheer luck of the draw, yet the "skillful player is actually one who knows how to adapt to his luck." Her extensive explanations and examples of both "offensive" and "defensive" strategies are the soul of the book, and I, for one, was amazed how quickly my comphrehension of the game improved after having read the entire chapter.

It is true that the focus of the book is primarily on the Japanese and American rules and variations, but Chinese equivalent terms are included in an extensive Glossary-Index. For the vast majority of players, this will not be a serious problem.

If you buy one book on Mah Jong, it should be this one.

How many times have you wanted to play a game of Mah Jong but you you are bombarded with different rule books on the subject - each one giving a more confusing set of scoring instructions There are many times when I have encountered this problem especially when teaching newcomers the game We play using Eleanor Noss Whitney's "A Mah Jong Handbook" as our rules which we find of all the other books on Mah Jong the easiest and most understandable set of rules compared to all teh others which clutter the field with a multitude of sets and scoring tables that make the game a nightmare to play Her rules are Clear, Concise, Unambiguous and simple to use I use her book to teach all newcomers the game and everyone agrees that her rules are the best I show them the scoring from the other books and their examples and explain to them that there are many other variations regarding the scoring and everyone opts for the simple version without any complications

I would heartly recomend this book to everyone if they want to get into playing the game within inside a hour of opening the book There is plain simple concise instuctions that dont confuse you with umpteen different names for the same Mah Jong scoreing hand

If there is one book you should get to learn and play Mah Jong - It should be this one - You wont regret it

The book the Lottery Rose, written by Irene Hunt is a deeply touching and gripping story about a 7 year old boy named Georgie who is abused by his mother Rennie and her boyfriend, Steve. One day, when his mother is drunk and gives Georgie money to buy food at the grocery store,he uses the change to buy a lottery ticket. On the day of the lottery, he discovers that his prize is a rosebush. Georgie loves his rosebush. One night, after being abused, it is decided that Georgie will be sent to an all boy's school run by nuns in Tampa, Florida. There, he meets Sister Mary Angela who gives Georgie the opportunity to plant his bush almost anywhere he pleases. But where will he decide to plant his rosebush and will he be happy at his new school? The Lottery Rose is an emotional and realistic stroy of human struggle and injustice affecting the life of a young boy who has been victimized in his childhood. Georgies's innocent personality quickly captured my sympathy and pressed me to closely follow the events which unfold in this gripping story. The situations in which Georgie found himself seemed true to life and easily touched my sense of curiousity. Questions such as "Will Georgie find loving adults that will take good care of him?" "Will he be given a fair opportunity to develop his personal interests?" " Is Georgie destined to a life of misery or happines?" beckoned to be answered and motivated me to read the stroy to its conclusion.

This book is very sad but at times very heart-warming. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm going to order it and read it over. I read it in fifth grade when I was eleven, and I had one of the best book experiences that I ever had. This book is: sad, emotional, happy at times, and very interesting. The ending though was so confusing. How Georgie gave something up that was so precious to him. I won't give the book away, because that's not fun. This book has some abuse in it, but that really makes you look at life better. I've read reviews that said that there is too much abuse, and it just isn't a big deal. I think that books that make you cry, and touch you so deaply, can make you look at life better. This book is so wonderful that it feels as if it's real life, well this story could happen, really. Read this book, it is so great. I don't know how anyone can hate it, it's just not possinle. three *... stars is as low as it can go. I really want to buy this book again, and read it over and over. I never get tired of it, and I'm sure you won't either. Very Good book. Unlike any other. If you don't read it, you'll feel so bad, because it's so good. Just put a bucket in front of you incase you cry, and three boxes of tissues next to you. I cried because of the sad parts in it, I cried because it ended. Such a sad story. And if there are any parents reading this right now, well you don't have to worry about a thing. This book is great for kids. (It may even get them to behave better! I bet you'll love that) It really made me behave better. This book really moved me, and I'm sure it will move you completely. But don't forget the tissues and the buckets, You'll need it later trust me.

The Lottery Rose, by the excellent author Irene Hunt, is a heartwrenching story about a little seven year-old boy struggling to survive in his own household. His alcoholic mother and her evil boyfriend Steve physically and verbally abuse Georgie Burgess. Craving for love, and living in a broken home, he courageously endures his beatings hoping that someday it will end.
At a grocery store lottery, Georgie wins a little rose bush, which receives all the attention, love, and care that he is starved of. The rosebush becomes a symbol of love and hope for the deprived child, and he becomes attached to it for security. Flowers are the only thing he finds true beauty in, which is why he is so connected to his rosebush.
School is no refuge for this innocent child marked "trouble maker" by his ignorant teachers. He grew up being told and thinking he was dumb, which ruined his self-opinion from a young age. He has no where to run or hide from pain, and is chained to his mother by love, until one day Steve and Rennie go too far and nearly kill him in their usual drunken rage. The police then remove Georgie from his broken home filled with scarring memories.
Georgie is removed from his home and placed in a Catholic school for boys. He has a difficult time learning how to give and accept love- something he's never had. He gains more self-esteem when he learns how to read, and realizes he was never dumb to begin with. It takes time to heal emotionally and not deny the scars covering his back.
I compare this book to They Cage the Animals at Night an equally appalling and emotionally powerful novel based on a true story about child abuse. Books like these make your problems seem ridiculous and easy, and your life more fortunate. The painful experiences Georgie endured will haunt him the rest of his life; he will always be different. To make matters worse, he becomes best friends with a little boy who suffers from a mental problem. Georgie understands this boy named Robin, because they are both different. One day Robin dies, and Georgie experiences more tragedy. Irene Hunt has mastered the art of character development. As ALA Booklist states, "A deeply affecting, affirmative story..." The best thing about this book is it is only a story.
I recommend The Lottery Rose to any reader who loves children, or who is an alcoholic, or who believes in anti-alcoholism, or is a Catholic, or is a mother who lost her child, or any person interested in reading an amazing novel about misfortune and life's many problems, and how they can be changed for the better. I give this book the 5 stars it deserves.