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I am often asked to recommend Backgammon books.  There are relatively few books published, especially in the UK.  You will be unlikely to find many backgammon books in bookshops in the UK (apart from Paul Lamford's books).  The main source is the internet, most of the best books written (in English) coming from the US, but postage and packaging charges can make them quite expensive.  Another source is second hand book shops, though you are unlikely to find the best books there.  Since computer analysis of the game started in the 1990s theories of how the game should be played have changed radically and although the advice given in earlier books was often considered sound at the time, later analysis has shown it to be faulty, so early books should be read with caution.  Any books by Paul Lamford (British), Bill Robertie and Kit Woolsey (US) are good.

The reviews below are my personal views of books that I own or have read.  See also http://www.bkgm.com/rgb/rgb.cgi?menu for more reviews.

If you would like to add a review of a book that you have read which is not reviewed below, please e-mail me.

Click below for a comprehensive list of backgammon books
Link to a list of books with reviews

Title, Author and Publisher
Review
Improve your game
Paul Lamford
Chameleon (1999)
Paul Lamford is one of Britain's top rated players.
This slim paperback contains a brief introduction to the game followed by
a set of 100 puzzles, half on checker play and half on the use of the doubling cube.  Although rollouts have shown that a few of the problems have incorrect solutions, mainly sound and well worth reading.  
Out of print (I believe) and published under a different title in the US
.
Backgammon Winning Strategies
Robin Clay
Pan (1996)
Another British book.  An excellent book for improvers.
Gives a good overall view of the main strategic principles of the game, followed by a good quiz at the end.  Out of print and printed on poor quality paper.  Some of the advice is a bit simplistic and the section on doubling is thin, but well worth reading if you can find a copy.
New Ideas in Backgammon
Kit Woolsey
The Gammon Press (1996)
The first book to use computer programs to rollout positions.  
This is a book for expert players, the analysis of 104 positions misplayed by experts is excellent and very deep.  Out of print.
Most of the analysis has stood up well to more modern rollouts.
501 Essential Backgammon Problems
Bill Robertie
Cardoza Publishing (2000)
A wealth of material, well organised into 31 sections with plenty of cube problems as well as play problems.
Some misprints and some problems have incorrect solutions, but in general well worth reading.
Backgammon for Winners
Bill Robertie
Cardoza (2002)
Essentially a beginner's book.  Robertie describes the rules and some general points and then analyzes three games in depth.  Only the third game (a back game) is likely to be of great interest to anyone who has played a fair amount.
Backgammon for Serious Players
Bill Robertie
Cardoza (1997)
Robertie analyses in depth five games played between experts.  The final game is exceptionally interesting (though not of great practical value).
As with any Robertie book well worth a read.
Advanced Backgammon (2 volumes)
Bill Robertie
(early 1990s?)
In depth analysis of  400 positions from opening to end game.  Much more analysis than Robertie 501, but with more positions mis-analysed.
One of the classic books on the game.
Backgammon
Paul Magriel
X-22 (1973)
The early bible of the game.  Magriel was the first person to lay out modern principles in depth.  
Covers the game from learning how to play to advanced positions. Unfortunately not much analysis of the doubling cube.
Backgammon Learning to Win
Lewis Deyong
Barrie and Jenkins (1977)
Nicely produced book with mainly sound advice and some good stories.
Phillip Martyn on Backgammon
Phillip Martyn
Stanley Paul (1976)
Another book from the seventies.  Again the advice is mainly sound for the time.
Backgammon for Blood
Bruce Becker
William Luscombe (1974)
Of historical interest only, most of the strategies recommended were poor even given the knowledge of the game in the seventies.
The Backgammon Book
Oswald Jacoby and John Crawford
Pan (1970)
The first modern backgammon book, by two of the early world champions (who were both world class bridge players too).  
An excellent introduction and well written.  Doesn't go into great depth, but has a good section on the mathematics of doubling.  
Don't rely on their recommendations for opening moves though, modern theory has overtaken them.
Backgammon How to play, gamble and win
Don Stern
Lexington Press (1974)
Another bridge expert writes a book to exploit the short lived backgammon boom of the seventies.  Reasonably sound for the era.
Teach Yourself Backgammon
Robin Clay
Teach Yourself Books (1977)
A short introduction to the game.  Clay was unable to persuade the publishers to let him update the book, so rather dated.
Discovering Backgammon
R C Bell
Shire Publications (1975)
A 50 page booklet with rules and some bad advice on playing; but an interesting section on the early history and development of the game.
The New Backgammon
Elizabeth Clark Boyden
Federick Warne (1930)
The 1930s saw a brief boom in popularity of the game.  This book is an introductory text, which does not go much further than explaining the rules and giving a few examples.