The American Darts Organization Book of Darts

A writer doesn't produce a book on the subject of darts because he wants to get rich. He writes the book because he loves the game, loves the people who play it, loves the euphoria of the "kill shot," because he wants others to experience that thrill, too, and because he wants to make a noteworthy contribution to promote his chosen sport well into the future. He loves the fire, the competition, the team, the good guys, the bad guys, the camaraderie, the wins, the defeats ... all of it. Chris Carey is this kind of writer, and his book should appeal to anyone who loves darts - period - be it soft or steel-tip, the world over. This book, however, is not just for beginners. If you've played darts for any length of time and find yourself in a rut, Carey's book is your prescription. It will not only help you think through your issues, away from the line, but it is also a resource to provide new angles to attack problems you may not have thought about before or, perhaps, have lost sight of. For this reason, chapter eight - alone - is worth the price of admission. This book, now in its second edition, is a much-heralded resource for darts players ... and I don't make this claim lightly. I am a darts book author and player, too, and my respect for this effort is, frankly, immense. Bar none, this is the leading book in our sport, the best seller. And, there's a reason for it. Not only does Carey's love of darts shine through, he is a respected writing talent, with the blessing of the American Darts Organization, to boot. Because of these things, and the topics he has chosen to explore, this work is a "must own" for every darter's library. I was heartened to see Carey elected to also keep the original foreword in this revision which was written by the late, great, Tom Fleetwood (along with an informative new one from Buddy Bartoletta) because - if for no other reason - it shows his level of respect for the darting world's pioneers. And, since this work has received the blessing of a world respected steel-tip organization, I am also happy to see he has continued to discuss matters of the soft-tip variety, too, without prejudice. I emphasize this point because it makes his book truly universal in its appeal, and I applaud this ... loudly. It looks as though each chapter has been improved, as well, but forgive that I did not go back and compare the '93 version to this one too thoroughly. The graphics that worked before were kept, but new ones were also added to help readers and players better visualize the messages Carey is conveying. It seems ridiculous, considering the volumes and volumes that have been written on darts, but I have never seen before such a well-delivered image like the new one found on page 29. That graphic, among few others, should be pasted to the underside of every eyelid that steps to the line! Had the information from this singular image been memorized by my inexperienced partners before drawing them in tournaments, it would have k

I am very proud of this new edition. This new edition has interviews with Stacy Bromberg and Steve Brown, two of America's best players. And their advice is tremendously helpful. The entire book is very useful--and this new edition even more so, for beginners and intermediate players alike. All the necessary information is there--choosng your darts, games, tips, practice routines, hints about concentration and focus, and what you need to know and to learn to be truly competitive. It's just out, so get yours soon. And start playing darts! Chris Carey

This is a great book. It covers all aspects of the game - equipment, technique, and all the different games you can play - in a very well-written and readable style. It's definitely the best book on the subject that I've read and I highly recommend it, especially for players new to the game.

As a novice dart player, Chris Carey's book has been invaluable. It starts out easy with a short history of the game. For instance, I was surprised to learn "...The first dartboards were cross sections of trees or the bottoms of beer barrels...The concentric circles and spider pattern of wires of the modern dartboard resemble the cracked, weathered cross sections of trees; the bottoms of beer barrels afforded the perfect bull's-eye - the'cork." It then moves to basics like - amount of force needed for an accurate shot. The bulk of the book is devoted to games - moves & strategies. I could say something like Mr. Carey has hit the cork with this book but, really, my best suggestion is, no matter what your level, if you want to know more about darts get hold of Carey's book.

This book is excellent for the novice and expert shooter alike. Mr. Carey Clearly and concisely runs down not only the basics and the intricasies of the game but it's variations as well. This book should be on every dart players shelf.