Beginner's guides to programming come in a number of guises but rarely are they as cunningly concealed as this one. At face value it appears to be a collection of puzzles reminiscent of those primary school maths tests (if it takes six men to fill a hole...). Instead, it's actually a problem book that teaches Basic.

This fascinating idea could have tremendous potential. Unfortunately, that potential is not fully realised in Mr. Boyde-Shaw's book. The problem is that it's not ambitious enough. Although the common Basic statements are covered in reasonable detail, any of a hundred books would do as well.

The really interesting bits - sound, sprites, colour, high-resolution - barely rate a mention. In fact, sprite and high-res aren't mentioned at all.

It's to be hoped that a follow-up will be forthcoming because the idea of teaching in this question-and-answer format is attractive. In the meantime, if you happen to be an absolute beginner in possession of a C64 (heaven help you) this book will get you well on the way to Basic programming. But the exciting stuff will have to wait.

Peter Worlock