Combinatorial games involve two players and consist of pure strategy with perfect information and no element of chance. Here the authors offer classic techniques along with novel applications to explain and analyze old and new games, including several appearing for the first time. This undergraduate text is also appropriate for self-study; the authors start with basic terminology and explain the fundamental techniques, then cover outcome classes, sums of games, the algebra of games, values of games, structure, impartial games, hot games (including Norton products) and "all-small" games. They include a very nice section on further directions such as trasnfine games, loopy games, top-down thermography and misère play, then give a little help in top-down induction and a software package to help with play. Their text abounds with exercises and includes solutions. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)