cover image The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide

The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide

Douglas Walker, Graham Walker. Fireside Books, $9.95 (194pp) ISBN 978-0-7432-6751-9

Yes, Virginia, there is a world championship of that familiar childhood game (and that""most elegant and profound of all conflict-resolution processes,"" as the authors would have it). Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) and the Walker brothers aim to take you there. Beginning with a tongue-in-cheek history (ancient versions of the game, say the authors, included Japan's Tiger, Warrior and Warrior's Mother; Marco Polo ostensibly popularized Rock, Paper, Blade) and progressing through rules and proper hand positions (carefully illustrated by diagrams) and on to strategies and beyond, this faux-serious handbook divulges more information about the game than anyone would have thought possible. And RPS has its pleasures and uses beyond public championships and private decision-making, say the authors. They suggest adding spice to one's love life by playing Strip RPS and teaching kids about probability through school-sponsored RPS clubs.