Chess for Children, nearly 50 years ago
From the chidren library when I was a kid ,
Yep, exactly that one, in my case followed by a Routledge paperback of Hoffer's Chess, obsessively absorbed over a school holiday, which is what made me dangerous in the school chess club (knowing a little bit about openings was more knowledge than anyone else).
The Complete Chess Course by Fred Reinfeld. I really liked his style, and basically read the whole thing as a kid (in the old descriptive notation, of course!)
My brother bought Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, so when he consistently started beating me, I snuck the book from his shelf and read it. But he was always a book ahead of me and learning in the chess club so I never caught up to him.
Yep. I still have it. Great first book.
Chess in 30 Minutes in 1971. A thin booklet that came with the Lowe's Chess Tutor plastic pieces and folding board. I knew I would take chess seriously when I was given Reinfeld's Complete Chess Player a few months later. Despite criticisms of ol' Fred, I thought his book was great. Then I was given the New York Times book on the Fischer/Spassky series which although well over my head, gave me an idea of what Grandmaster games look like. I think this helped me develop.
Good Chess Books for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond
Chess for Children, nearly 50 years ago
From the chidren library when I was a kid ,