The "over-my-shoulder" genre became prominent in the writing of Terence Reese and continued in the work of excellent writers such as Mike Lawrence and Larry Cohen. In this genre the reader gains access to the mind and thought processes of an expert. The reader encounters techniques -- such as counting and drawing inferences -- that are supposedly expert territory.

Frank Stewart's writing, which comprises books, hundreds of magazine articles and, to date, about 11,000 newspaper columns, focuses on logical thinking. During a session of bridge, a player faces hundreds of decisions. Some can be resolved instinctively, but many require reasoning. That is what makes the game so exhilarating: having a problem and figuring out the answer.

In this book you sit with the author and can compare your decisions with his. You won't agree with all his actions - bridge involves personal style and judgment - but you will find it instructive to listen in on his thoughts.