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15th out of 28 books
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Searching for Bobby Fischer: The Father of a Prodigy Observes the World of Chess
The fascinating story of Fred Waitzkin and his son Josh, from the moment six-year-old Josh first sits down at a chessboard until he wins the national championship. Now a feature film starring Ben Kingsley, Max Pomerenc, Joe Mantegna, and Larry Fishburne. (Penguin)
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
August 1st 1993
by Penguin Books
(first published 1988)
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You might be more likely to have seen the film, which is a good representation of the book.
I recall that the film got some flack for its representation of Washington Square Park as a den of iniquity, but it seemed spot on to me, having played there around the same time.
That trip I played quite a bit of chess, often outdoors, around Manhattan, and apart from one game in The Village Chess Shop the only time I looked like losing was in Washington Square Park. Sat down and st...more
I recall that the film got some flack for its representation of Washington Square Park as a den of iniquity, but it seemed spot on to me, having played there around the same time.
That trip I played quite a bit of chess, often outdoors, around Manhattan, and apart from one game in The Village Chess Shop the only time I looked like losing was in Washington Square Park. Sat down and st...more
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It helps a lot to be a chess fan in reading this book, but it also speaks to topics of father/son relationships, goals and ambitions, exploring and developing children's interests, encouraging or pushing children beyond their interests, etc.
I was a sophomore in high school in 1972 when Bobby Fischer, the eccentric American grandmaster, defeated Boris Spaasky to become the first ever American world champion. During the height of the Cold War, it was as if the USA had smashed the USSR in...more
I was a sophomore in high school in 1972 when Bobby Fischer, the eccentric American grandmaster, defeated Boris Spaasky to become the first ever American world champion. During the height of the Cold War, it was as if the USA had smashed the USSR in...more
I went to the library to look for books about chess strategy, because, you know, I like chess. They were all out of Susanna Polgar, so I brought home this book instead. It's basically what it says it is; a chess prodigy's father writes about his son and the international chess scene in the 1980s. And here is what I got out of the book: Chess is real bad news! Chess might seem like a classy pastime, or an intellectual pursuit, but it just wants to fuck you up and leave you getting rained-on ...more
I've loved the movie that came from this book for a long time, so when I ran across the book at the library I had to pick it up.
Fred Waitzkin was inspired by Bobby Fisher's 1972 world championship chess win over the Russian Boris Spassky. He studied chess for awhile before realizing that he would never be better than a patzer -- a chess player who will never amount to much.
Ten years later, Fred discovered that his six-year-old boy Josh has talent for chess. This results in ...more
Fred Waitzkin was inspired by Bobby Fisher's 1972 world championship chess win over the Russian Boris Spassky. He studied chess for awhile before realizing that he would never be better than a patzer -- a chess player who will never amount to much.
Ten years later, Fred discovered that his six-year-old boy Josh has talent for chess. This results in ...more
I didn't see the movie that was made of this novel. Others tell me it was pretty much the Rocky of chess, with the underdog working his way up to win the nationals.
This is really not what the book is about. On the surface, the book has interesting insight into the world of chess, from the impoverished masters and grandmasters that play in clubs or parks in New York and other cities, to the rigid study of Soviet chess (at least, back during the cold war when this was written). A great...more
This is really not what the book is about. On the surface, the book has interesting insight into the world of chess, from the impoverished masters and grandmasters that play in clubs or parks in New York and other cities, to the rigid study of Soviet chess (at least, back during the cold war when this was written). A great...more
This was an interesting read about a 6-year-old chess prodigy, the basis for the movie of the same name which came out several years ago. The boy's father, the author, describes heart-wrenching decisions that he tries to make for his son: let him explore his talent fully or let him live a well-rounded life with Little League and Hebrew school--there's just not time to do both. I imagine most parents of prodigies are faced with the same decisions. The author also weaves in the history of chess...more
A much more in-depth and introspective look at the world of chess prodigies, and, a welcome difference from the movie version of the book, a comparison between American and Russian chess cultures. I read this memoir in one day. What I found noteworthy were the author's efforts to explore the world of chess in 1980s Russia. The game was inextricably tied to and linked with dissident culture and the "refusenik" Russian Jews. Waitzkin does a reportial job of introducing us to these player...more
Downloadable audio book did not seem to be a choice, so I picked the CD, but this was one of the first books I downloaded (from BPL's downloadable book service Montana to Go) to my new Zune that I got for Christmas. What a great service!! This is fascinating account of Josh Waitzkin, the child chess prodigy written by his father intertwined with the story of the reclusive Bobby Fischer (I did not realize the situation of his later life and that he died in Iceland in 2008). I don't have a stron...more
This book arrived in my postoffice mailbox instead of the DVD from Amazon. The movie production by the same name cost $100, so for the sake of frugality, spending $10 was well worth the money. The story is the true story of a young genius guided by his father to a measure of greatness.
I enjoyed reading this true story about the young Josh Waitzkin as he won the US National Junior Chess Championship in 1986.
The agony and disappointment that follows the path of professional chess in the ...more
I enjoyed reading this true story about the young Josh Waitzkin as he won the US National Junior Chess Championship in 1986.
The agony and disappointment that follows the path of professional chess in the ...more
Who knew how interesting the world of competitive chess could be? I haven’t seen the movie based on this book, so until I read Searching for Bobby Fischer I certainly didn’t. If you know a little bit about chess this book will probably appeal to you. It chronicles the adventures of Josh Waitzkin and his father as he develops into a young chess prodigy. Thrill as Josh demonstrates his amazing abilities in tournaments against the best children in the country! Chill as he and his father navigate th...more
Chess has always been a particular passion of mine, which, much like other passions, rises and falls as the years go by. Most games and their inherent competitiveness are fun, but chess remains the most elegant. It has the physical beauty of the pieces, the simplest of rules, yet the potential for incredible complexity, and no dice. I hate dice. Chess requires pure intellect.
During the 70's, following the famous Fischer-Spassky match, the virtual embodiment of Russo-American ...more
During the 70's, following the famous Fischer-Spassky match, the virtual embodiment of Russo-American ...more
Searching for Bobby Fischer is Fred Waitzkin’s account of the parental concerns that proceed from raising a seven year-old chess prodigy: his son, Josh. As a father, Fred is proud of Josh’s remarkable talent and doesn’t want to jeopardize his son’s creativity. At the same time, his research shows him that there is little expectation of a promising career in the world of chess. The tracking of Waitzkin’s parental uncertainty through Josh’s early years is the book’s central theme. As he educates ...more
As a chess enthusiast, one may enjoy this book for all its facts surrounding the chess grandmasters. However, as I am not a chess fan, I did not enjoy this book as much. Even though the book is not merely a story about the chess world, it is primarily about a father's (Fred Waitzkin) relationship with his son (Josh Waitzkin). Fred struggles to balance his role as an encouraging parent and as a father forcing his own dream onto his son. I would've liked the book better if the stories of Josh'...more
I picked up this book because I love the movie. I dare anyone to see it and not pick up a chess board. When I finished the book, I thought I could resist but within ten minutes I was playing on chess on yahoo. I am not a genius like Josh Waitzkin.
They did a very good job with the movie but there are some major differences. Pandolfini (portrayed in the movie as a ruthless teacher) is actually supportive & idiosyncratic. Vinnie plays a much smaller role in the book. But the dynamic in...more
They did a very good job with the movie but there are some major differences. Pandolfini (portrayed in the movie as a ruthless teacher) is actually supportive & idiosyncratic. Vinnie plays a much smaller role in the book. But the dynamic in...more
Christina
is currently reading it
Ok, I've changed my mind. I don't want any of my kids to be chess grandmasters. This book is very interesting but really depressing. I ran out of light fiction to read and I need to return this book back to a friend.
Informative on the lives of parents and their children in the chess world and the stresses and sacrifices they make in order to become the next Bobby Fischer.
Does not chess whatsoever, but is an interesting and accurate look into the world of scholastic chess.
jobiwan6
marked it as to-read
movie is one of my faves - didn't realize there was a book.
must know if book measures up.
must know if book measures up.
a nice book for the parents and friends of chess enthusiasts
I read this ages ago, but I do remember thinking it was a very interesting inside look on this kid's life.
A genius in figuring out chess strategies, it isn't as boring as one might believe. (I would have thought it would plod on to no end, maybe even be self-absorbed with his cleverness.)
I was pleasantly surprised. Good to read at least once, especially if you've seen the movie, which I did first.
A genius in figuring out chess strategies, it isn't as boring as one might believe. (I would have thought it would plod on to no end, maybe even be self-absorbed with his cleverness.)
I was pleasantly surprised. Good to read at least once, especially if you've seen the movie, which I did first.
I checked this book from the library because I loved the movie.
I really strugglied to get through the chapters in Russia. When I was younger, I would have found them fascinating. Now they are a chore to read, due to past circumstances in my life.
I did not finish this book before it was due back at the library. I will try again some other day.
I really strugglied to get through the chapters in Russia. When I was younger, I would have found them fascinating. Now they are a chore to read, due to past circumstances in my life.
I did not finish this book before it was due back at the library. I will try again some other day.
I'm learning a lot about the Iron Curtain and chess in general. I want to bust out a set and play me some amateur games. I'm no Josh, but this book is very interesting so far. Thanks to the Monkey for suggesting I read it.
A very fine book on the cutthroat world of chess, especially for those children who are good at it. But there is a deep spiritual side to this work as well that I particularly enjoyed.
Exciting tale of a chess dad's adventure with chess hustlers, the KGB, and scariest of all, chess parents.
I love this movie and can't wait to read the book.
Leslie
marked it as to-read
Jshawman
marked it as to-read
Bobbi
marked it as to-read
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