Description
One copy left The author has signed the hardback and there are only 204 copies that have been published. Clark and Mackay, Australia, 2020, Large heavy hardback 1,7 kg Dimensions 22 x 30cm, pictorial covers. 353 pages with 36 fine large photos 3 in colour of Anderssens grave it, comprises ten chapters with biography and 80 annotated games using contemporary annotations where possible, appendix with Steinitzs Obituary of Anderssen, bibliography and indexes. Well known Australian chess historian Bob Meadley was full of praise in his review for the book This review considers the quality of the 353 page A4 hardback and it is the best Australian chess book ever published thanks to the authors determination. Eighty of Anderssens games are given with very large diagrams and plenty of space. No cramping here and the chess moves go down the page with many annotations taken from sourcebooks plus Roberts analysis as a strong correspondence chess player. Anderssens life is dealt with at the start of each of the 10 chapters. The paper used is glossy and adds to the 36 photos of the chess players and friends Anderssen made over his life and the buildings he spent time in. There is quality in a hardcover as it protects the book content and shows the passion of the author for his task which was a long one starting in 1993 when a letter dated 11 July arrived with the words Greetings. I am a chess enthusiast from Victoria. I am currently working on a book about Adolf Anderssen 1818 to 1879 that I hope I will finish in about two years.. I replied that he needed to contact Ken Fraser of the State Library of Victoria Australia and John van Manen and that set the wheels in motion especially when John replied to Robert in a two page letter offering assistance. Brisbane printers Clark and Mackay carried out the job to perfection. The cover, especially, is beautifully designed in brown with a nice photo of Robert on the back complimenting Anderssen on the front. Robert Johnson loves chess and Anderssen and has produced a collectors item that ranks with the great chess books of the past. There are only 204 copies and the bibliography and index set off an outstanding book.