Rating: 
Summary: For both patzers and masters
Review: I found this book quite engaging. I thought it elucidated the reality of the chess world; one largely ignored (sadly) here. In Russia, where it is very important, chess players are raised meticulously and very thoroughly. Josh Waitzin, the kid on the book cover is a precocious child at the time of writing (and is now a grandmaster at 22). Sadly, his father somewhat chess players in general as queer (because he's a patzer). This is redeemed when he says Josh is very talented at the game, "unearthing ancient strategies" through "trial and error". Spassky, Karpov, Kasparov, Schiller, and Paldofini are all major chess figures talked about. Bobby Fischer is the one who hold's Fred's interest the most, obviously. He is described as someone slightly deranged, like a ragamuffin. Bobby Fischer's style reflects Josh's too, who is coined "the next Bobby Fischer" by old men who play chess to determine whether they eat or starve in Central Park. Josh is quick to learn the game, eventually beating those who used to beat him. Josh's ratings were as follows 7000-6-1300,7-1400,12-2200(Chessmaster).The language was definitely vivid and jocular too. The parents are portrayed as stressed-out (which is somewhat hard to believe). But it is a great book in the chess tree, one dealing with many sentimental issues between father and son. The main characters are Josh, Bruce Paldofini (portrayed as somewhat shabby, though admitted as hard-working and modest earning), chess pedlers, and Fred (Josh calls his father Fred).
Rating: 
Summary: Fischer's Name = Money
Review: I have to wonder why Fred Waitzkin titled this book 'Searching For Bobby Fischer'. Maybe because if he didn't illegally attach Fischer's name on the book, nobody would have ever read or noticed it. This book and the movie are now famous, and I'm sure Fred has made some nice dollars from it. I wonder if Fischer has recieved a penny for his name being used in the movie and book? From the looks of it, he has not. Throughout the book, does Fred actually search for Bobby Fischer? He hardly lifts his pinky finger is trying to find him, but talks about stories he'd heard from other people. Doesn't really sound like he is searching for him is he?
One can say the title is metaphorical. He is not trying to find Fischer, but actually his successor, who just might be his son. Does his son show signs of being the next savior of the game of chess? Hardly, except for the fact that his son was the highest rated player for his age. Just because his son was highly rated for his age, doesn't mean he is going to be the next world champion. I can't help but feel sad that the chess world has taken advantage of Fischer's name in order to make a few cheap extra dollars. Read this book for a good read and to understand the tragedy of being a life-long chess player, but keep in mind a great player's image and stature has been exploited.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book, but still comes up short
Review: It's as interesting what Fred Waitzkin does not include in this book as what he does. There's hints at but overall glossing over the enormous strain his (Fred's) ambitious must have put on the family, little discussion about how Josh's mother must have felt about her husband dragging their seven-year-old son around seedy or desolate locales looking for competition to play their son, just to prove who was tops. Nor is there little about how Josh felt, other than the occasional "I'm tired" or "I'm hungry." We get a lot of insights into what other "chess fathers" are like (lots of pinheads, according to Fred), but little inward reflection, except in a few spots where he quickly lets himself off the hook. Don't get me wrong--it's a good book. But it stopped just short of really revealing anything deep about either father or son.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book!
Review: This book gives an interesting insight into the early chess career of a young scholastic chess player who I personally know (along with the parents Fred and Bonnie and Josh's early coach Bruce Pandolfini).
I must truley say, though the movie was excellent, the book is ten times more accurate than the movie (i.e. coach Bruce Pandolfini's real personality is more of a easy going, lay back style than the hard driving, demanding individual shown in the movie).
I personally have trained 35 first place winners in Championship Sections at the National Scholastic Championships. So I know first hand where the writter (Josh's) father is coming from. He does a wonderful job in telling things the way they are! My student Roy Runas shared the National Elementary School Championship title together in 1989 and Roy defeated Josh's best friend in the book Morgan in a dramitic game in the last round.
I must truely say, Josh and his family are nice people and Fred Waitzkin did a major service for chess when he wrote this book that became a great motion picture.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books a man ever written!
Review: This book is extrodinary. I didn't put it down since I picked it up. Chess knowledge isn't required to read and enjoy the book but helps a lot. What makes this book even better is that it's based on a true story. "Searching for Bobby FIsher" is a must read book, which also gives you a brief history and overview on the world of chess.
Rating:
Summary: True story better than a novel
Review: This is a gem of a book. Moreover, the movie with the same name is almost as good, a rarity in these days of manufactured characters, settings, plot and endings. Despite what one may think, the author/father is the outstanding personality in both settings. This is the story of a boy genius who happened to play chess and even more remarkably grew up to become a normal child, unlike the titled champ. The personal of Bobby Fisher imbues the story as no individual actually present could. It is the aura, the mystery, the eccentricity and the incredible brilliance of the hiding former champ that one is forced to consider throughout the book. And no, they never do meet up but his spirit is embodied in the weird, exhilirationg world of chess. This world is not a normal one in that an obsessions with an ancient board is the heart and soul of many player's lives. They eat, breathe, talk, sleep chess; they pay former masters for lessons; they forego a normal childhood of soccer and friends and cartoons to play. And, like other child stars, the parents are there to either support, guide, bully or console them. Chess players must be psychologically strong since it is a game of ultimate power - perhaps the one place where substitute armies can battle for glory. The movie's depiction of the sheer pressure on children to perform is vivid as are the mean antics, the terrible truth of seeing the end ten moves away and the ultimate glory. From budding standout to champion, this is a story of love and adventure like no other. A great read / a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: True story better than a novel
Review: This is a gem of a book. Moreover, the movie with the same name is almost as good, a rarity in these days of manufactured characters, settings, plot and endings. Despite what one may think, the author/father is the outstanding personality in both settings. This is the story of a boy genius who happened to play chess and even more remarkably grew up to become a normal child, unlike the titled champ. The personal of Bobby Fisher imbues the story as no individual actually present could. It is the aura, the mystery, the eccentricity and the incredible brilliance of the hiding former champ that one is forced to consider throughout the book. And no, they never do meet up but his spirit is embodied in the weird, exhilirationg world of chess. This world is not a normal one in that an obsessions with an ancient board is the heart and soul of many player's lives. They eat, breathe, talk, sleep chess; they pay former masters for lessons; they forego a normal childhood of soccer and friends and cartoons to play. And, like other child stars, the parents are there to either support, guide, bully or console them. Chess players must be psychologically strong since it is a game of ultimate power - perhaps the one place where substitute armies can battle for glory. The movie's depiction of the sheer pressure on children to perform is vivid as are the mean antics, the terrible truth of seeing the end ten moves away and the ultimate glory. From budding standout to champion, this is a story of love and adventure like no other. A great read / a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: For both patzers and masters
Review: This was an excellent book about chess in the USA and of course the life a real chess prodigy. I myself love chess and am interested in it and this book totally fulfilled my longing for a chess novel. Fred Waitzkin does an excellent job writing this book about his son. He writes the book from a very honest standpoint, clearly shown when he talks about Joshua's chess tournaments. I totally agree with Fred about how Bobby Fischer has changed the chess world. Fred was interested in chess, so his son became interested in chess. Just as my father did, in the 1972 match between Fischer and Spassky, he became interested in the game, and I am now, I'm just not a chess prodigy like Josh! This is a great book giving you a greater view of chess in the USA and also in the former Soviet Union. This is a great book! Read it!
Rating:
Summary: A+ Chess Book
Review: This was an excellent book about chess in the USA and of course the life a real chess prodigy. I myself love chess and am interested in it and this book totally fulfilled my longing for a chess novel. Fred Waitzkin does an excellent job writing this book about his son. He writes the book from a very honest standpoint, clearly shown when he talks about Joshua's chess tournaments. I totally agree with Fred about how Bobby Fischer has changed the chess world. Fred was interested in chess, so his son became interested in chess. Just as my father did, in the 1972 match between Fischer and Spassky, he became interested in the game, and I am now, I'm just not a chess prodigy like Josh! This is a great book giving you a greater view of chess in the USA and also in the former Soviet Union. This is a great book! Read it!
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