Video Games: : A Guide for Savvy Parents

Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars? Uh, Sorry, No way.
Review: A five star rating designates a work as one of the best, if not the best in it's particular genre, and folks, this book ain't even close. Mr. Sheff is by no means an "incompetent" writer ,which is why I was so disappointed with this book. Where as Game Over & China Dawn are rolling narratives, well woven and full of life, this book has all the humor and ambience of a VCR manual. I grew up with interactive media, and it's a large part of my professional adult life, Which it was so refreshing to see Mr. Sheff's even handed, nostalgic treatment of the subject in Game Over. It was in sharp contrast to the dismissive, patronizing and panicky style with which main stream journalists treat the issue. The same style I discovered to my dismay in this book. Mr. Sheff seemed so cool to us Gamers, I suppose sooner or later, you just find yourself on the wrong side of the generation gap. Yet despite it's whiny Tipper Gore panache, the main fault of this book is that it was obsolete before it was written, almost a decade ago. The book can be boiled down into 2 well worn evening news cliches. "Mortal Kombat is too violent for kids" & "Letting them spend their life on the couch playing video games isn't a really good idea" as if we didn't know that and needed to spend [money] to find out. The spotty reviews are long outdated and I agree are biased, panning quality well deigned games because of mature content, and praising cloying , P.C. throwaways .The one piece of advice that is useful in this book is to play the games before you let your kids have them. ... The sad fact is that in this day and age there is simply no reason for any one, even a David Sheff fan, (especially a David Sheff fan) to spend good money on this book.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: Anyone who had an glimmer of pleasure reading GAME OVER, will find Sheff's follow up a dismal failure. It was released several years ago, during Mortal Kombat's height of well deserved popularity. He spends the first few chapters ranting about how terrible violence in video games is, and the rest giving slanted, and often useless game reviews. The only people who might gain a sliver of enjoyment from this pitifull tome are media-phobic hystericals, and game enthusiasts, like myself who might get a laugh out of Sheff's clueless Fredric Wertham esq approach. All others, RUN AWAY! For the love of God!

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly interesting take on the power of games
Review: Interesting view of video games as they impact individuals and the culture. Unwilling to be hysterical (as it could have been), the book offers wise guidelines. The games are old but the lessons still apply. Nothing better has been written on the psychological and social impact of games even as some people have tried to fuel the hysteria by banning them and imposing the stupid ratings system.

Rating:
Summary: Parents aren't the only ones who should read this
Review: It is a good analysis of the power of video games. The author doesn't take irrational positions on either side. Instead he is sanely even in his analysis. It's naive and immature to think that we shouldn't look at video games with a critical eye. In addition, it is irresponsible to suggest that parents should ignore a force that has an enormous impact on our children.

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly interesting take on the power of games
Review: The wise and even perspective on video games is rare. The book is entertaining, too. The only criticism: the reviews are outdated.

Rating:
Summary: Opening chapter is excellent
Review: There's no more thoughtful book about the impact of video games on children-- no knee jerk reactions and no easy answers.