This book offers a series of articles by Dutch Grandmaster Hans Ree that previously appeared in other sources (the magazine New in Chess--probably the greatest chess magazine ever--and The Chess Cafe, an excellent website that can be found at: http://www.chesscafe.com, are just two of several that Mr. Ree mentioned).

I had been following Mr. Ree's writings for many years, and found his work to be professional, extremely well written, carefully researched, and full of energy and humor. When I say "writings," I don't mean annotated games. No, Ree is a true journalist (so many chess "writers" like to pretend that they are journalists, but most possess few, if any, writing skills) who makes observations about players, history, current events, and politics.

Having loved everything he's done in the past, I found this collection to be even better than anticipated: Placing everything into distinct categories, the reader finds himself ecstatically lost in historical searches, the endless battles between Karpov and Kasparov, the draconian hand of the Khan of Kalmykia, the fall of FIDE, the ins and outs of various tournaments and matches, chess anecdotes, and much, much more.

Personally, I'm sick to death of Karpov and Kasparov. The realm of chess politics (impotent men with small minds vying for power over hapless, poverty stricken chess players) is even more distasteful (though wonderfully conveyed by Ree). My two favorite parts are Chapter Three (In Memoriam: fascinating looks into the lives of Donner, Reshevesky, Tal, Botvinnik, Cortlever, Kasparya, and Enklaar) and Chapter Four (History. Eye opening and poignant), though every reader will favor sections more suiting to their personal interests.

I could go on forever, chortling in delight as I give out bits and pieces of various chapters; but that would only take away from your reading experience when you buy this incredible piece of work. Suffice it to say that Ree has written a book that will be cherished by players of all strengths; a book that will show the uninformed the real world of chess; a book that will teach the ignorant the wonders of chess history; a book that ultimately transcends the game and sticks our faces in the human comedy that is the heart and soul of the chess experience.

The Human Comedy of Chess is a timeless book, and, in my opinion, belongs in every chess library and on every top ten list.

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