Croquet As played by the Newport Croquet Club   By: Anonymous

Croquet As played by the Newport Croquet Club by Anonymous offers a captivating and comprehensive guide to the esteemed sport of croquet. The book not only acquaints readers with the basic rules and techniques, but delves deeper into the strategic intricacies that make croquet such a dynamic and engaging game.

One of the notable strengths of this book is its clear and systematic explanation of the rules. The author leaves no room for confusion, providing explicit instructions on everything from setting up the course to managing each player's turn. Moreover, the use of diagrams and illustrations throughout the book greatly enhances the reader's understanding, making it easy to visualize the strategies and tactics being discussed.

Another aspect that distinguishes this book is its emphasis on strategy. While many beginner's guides may focus solely on the fundamentals, Anonymous goes beyond the surface level, introducing advanced tactics that players can employ to gain an upper hand in matches. From shot selection to positional play, the book covers various strategic aspects, helping readers to develop a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to the game.

Furthermore, the author's writing style is both informative and engaging, making it a pleasure to read. The instructions are presented in a concise and accessible manner, ensuring that even newcomers to the sport can follow along effortlessly. Additionally, the book's historical anecdotes and stories about famous croquet players inject a sense of richness and depth into the narrative, providing readers with a glimpse into the prestigious world of croquet.

One potential drawback of the book is the lack of author attribution. While retaining anonymity may have been a deliberate choice, it would have been valuable to know the perspective and background of the person imparting their knowledge. Knowing the author's expertise or experience would add credibility and context to the information provided.

In conclusion, Croquet As played by the Newport Croquet Club is a must-read for both beginners and seasoned players alike. Its comprehensive coverage of the rules, strategic insights, and engaging writing style makes it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their croquet skills. While the absence of author identification may be a drawback, it does not detract significantly from the overall quality and usefulness of the book. So, grab a mallet and delve into the world of croquet with this informative and captivating guide.

First Page:

The increasing popularity of Croquet, and the deficiencies of the existing manuals of the game, have encouraged me to give this little book to the public. The treatise of Captain Mayne Reid, to which the introduction of croquet in this country is mainly due, is deficient in system and arrangement, and affords no intelligible determination to many of the cases I have instanced in illustration of the rules of the game. The manuals published in this country are still more faulty. The rules afford no solution to half of the ambiguous cases that arise in ordinary play; and some are guilty of the strange error of allowing the "Roquet Croquet" to every ball a liberty totally at variance with the fundamental principles of the game, and which in the hands of strong players would prolong the contest indefinitely, make victory depend upon a single chance hit, and reduce the opportunities for generalship and combination to a minimum... Continue reading book >>