For strategy, I don't know any of those books. However, I suggest study the opening right away! It will include the strategy in itself and you can apply in your game, unlike general random strategy which will rarely happen.
For tactics. I know only one book from the list, Chess Tactics for Champions. I think it's simply the best book, if not, one of the best. The book is well organized, easy to follow, and instructive. I know other tactic books but I'd just choose this one.
Thanks for the response. About the opening, I have big mixed feelings about it. You're the first that advices me that. Everyone else told me not to bother with it yet. But I cheated because I ordered: discovering chess opening by John Emms :)
I did go through about 1/3 of Polgar's 5,334; it was alright.
loads and loads of mate in 2's
helped quite a bit in pattern recognition.
there's a section listed as "miniature games" and a collection of Polgar sister's games at the end if the book (not annotated) - these are ok
though after a while, the mate problems get stale (alot of the tactics are based on White to play)
you can find a credible list of reviews from Amazon.com for most of the books you had mentioned above .........
Chess-5334-Problems-Combinations-all reviews
its hard to go wrong with tactics and I have used 3 of the 4 books you list.
strategy/positional chess was always harder to learn, and less fruitful to obsess on.
so....
I'll just put a good word in for Polgar's chess tactics for champions. I like that book! I think it has sharpened my game up considerably.
I have to be honest with myself (and with you). Although I love reading deep thoughts and thinking, i still feel like a beginner. Hard to admit it, but i went threw the exercice at the end of Silman's Amateur mind where he wanted me to elaborate a specific plan and line depending on a specific situation. Although I understood his book content, it's really hard to apply it in those exercices. I played some games, and although I was thinking in some spots "It's seem that my pawn points more on his queen side as does my pieces so i'd have to look to direct my play on this side" But then, when comes the moment to elaborate a plan WITHOUT stupid blunders and by considering my foe potential plan, it's an other story. I know it takes a lot of practice, but still 
So i'm still hesitant or afraid of books like Soltis or Stean wich, by some reviewers, seem to be adressed more towards accomplished beginners about to be intermediate. I'm not a complete beginner, but i'm far from intermediate.
I'm a little surprised that the strategy books are the less choosen yet (well, it's been just 5 posts).
nb: I cheated, I just added two books in my "strategy list" that seemed to be more focused on beginners. Pandolfini's and Seirawan's.
I promise, i want add anymore 
So pick your pick
ok.
so next thing to say
for reasons that mystify me, "silman and heisman" are grouped together and disliked by a small but significant amount of chess players
A) they are totally different having different writing styles, different approach to chess improvement
B) said chess players usually revere the "oldies", chess books that a few generations back that taught about Positional chess
C) many (but not all books) of those books are written in a different chess notation you may not understand, and you may choose NOT to learn
D) the biggest problem with learning strategy is usually that time is an issue- you probably not playing chess slowly, and you not rigorously looking at your game WITHOUT a chess engine.
so. if you get all caught up on half-open files or the strengths and weakness of the IQP, your probably not appreciating the importance of seeing that a given move allows a discovered attack
I'm not sure where you stand (compared to me) but it really doesn't matter. its almost universally true that you need to do more tactics.
as for other topics. you should research how much effort a given book will take.
Everything you list I consider for intermediate players or those that are willing to really put a lot of effort into them. with the exception of #4.
I own heisman's most instructive games and I think you can get a lot of it without the huge efforts the other books will demand.
which is IMHO why some chess players hate it. they think that only a difficult demanding book can possibly promote chess improvement.
you added stuff in the middle of my post!
the seirawan book is the most accessible book on strategy ever written IMHO.
I hated pandolfini's book which seemed like an uninstructive encyclopedia.
seirawan and heisman are both very smart choices for an ambitious beginner. IMHO.
I will hear a lot of hate for my comments.
its easy to get a copy of something oldish and legendary. go to the library. request something like "simple chess" or one of the volumes of "modern strategy".
I am picky and while I've had good moments with stuff like the "art of the attack" you really need a lot of effort to get your game growing from the classics, I think modern authors (with the possible exception of silman) are very direct and instructive even when you have put in less time and attention into them.
some old classics I think MUST be studied like Calculus. Full commitment, holding nothing back, and as a busy adult- I don't have time like that.
if you choose to disagree with my recommendations- am I wrong about this conclusion?
Thank you very much for this feedback. You asked me how commited i was about studying the game. Well, I'm very passionate and when i read a chess book as go threw every example on my chess board juste next to me. But i don't have the reflex yet to review my games. I kind of wanted to feel more at ease with basic concepts of tactic and strategy, and then try to apply them (i'd review those games).
Like I said, online here (on few games) i'm just 1100. But i don't enjoy playing online that much because of the time restrains (i only play 30 minutes games and seeing the countdown make me nervous). In live, i'm much more focused and pay better attention.
I do have time on my hands now because i'm at a period were the university doesn't demand big tests (it'll start mi december) and i'm currently out of job. That's also why i'd like to buy a few books now.
Just you know, i live in Belgium. There's a chess store that sells french and english books but at a high price. I bought there Silman's book as a recommandation of the sellers. But since i'm going to be more picky, and goign to buy more books, Amazon will be my friend.
For the tactics book, get Chess Tactics for Champion by Polgar. It is probably one of the best tactic book out there for your level. The problems are not too easy and not too hard. This book also has diverse problems. Not only it has the common fork, pin, discovery, double check,skewer, removing the guard, mate etc problems, it also got stalemate problems, pawn promotion problems and defense problems. I used this book to help improve the tactical ability of my nephew and it did improved his tactics.
Since you enjoy the Silman book, why not get Reasses book for your strategy book? Regarding your list, get Winning Chess Strategy by Seirawan. That book improved a lot my strategy . I like books that are organize by strategical themes and this book is about that. I really enjoyed this book. This book also has some historical tidbits. This book is one the best strategy book(perhaps the best) for its intended audience.
At your level, Pandolfini and Heisman are authors that could generally help you. Don't listen to those who tell you otherwise. Both authors write for the beginner-intermediate player audience. For example Pandolfini's "Weapons of Chess" and Heisman's Tactics book would both be good for you. Also "Simple Attacking Plans" by Fred Wilson and the similar "The Winning Way" by Pandolfini. Most of the other books you have listed are probably too advanced for you right now - i.e., books by Pachman, John Nunn and Andrew Soltis.
There are many books that would be helpful for players at your level in this list...
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/good-chess-books-for-beginners-and-beyond
You need to learn to walk, before you can run.
Jambyvedar: There're reasons why i don't include (yet) reassess your chess.
First, I heard by many people that this book is more advance than amateur's mind. More complexe and would be advice mor for advanced amateur-intermediate players that have some solid bases. I don't feel like i'm already there. I understood his explanation in his A.M. book but it still quite hard to apply it and to construct plans.
Second, I'd like to try new authors. I like his teaching, less his tone used that seemed sometimes a little condescending. It's a detail since in those books content > style, obviously.
Russbell: Thanks for the link. I did check it out few days ago. I picked Discovering Chess Openings by Emms from this list (on it's way) because i remember, at the time I started, opening belonged to my main concern since I would read stategic position for middle game but since my opening was quite bad I always ended up in difficult position.
From your list, I also found Simple Chess. I still hesitate between Stean's book and Seirawan's concerning the strategy part. But My balance goes a little more on Seirawan's side since it was adviced by the chess shop keeper and, from reputation, seemed a little easier to grasp.
I want to clarify a bit. When talking about study opening, people may refer to memorizing loads of analysis. No, that's for grandmasters! They already understand chess at certain level.
Here is what I mean in general. The key to study opening is you need a "model game" for each main variation. Starting Out series and Move by Move are perfect for books this. You follow the game with annotation and see how things work. This way you will learn opening, strategy, and even some endgame from that opening. This approach is very effective and practical since you can apply it in your own game.
Studying strategy as individual topic is also benefitcial but it's like study the idea of different openings. For example, you might come across "minority attack" which come from 1.d4. But if you are e4 player then you will never use that strategy, so it's a bit waste of time. However, you would want to study it at some point.
Jambyvedar: There're reasons why i don't include (yet) reassess your chess.
First, I heard by many people that this book is more advance than amateur's mind. More complexe and would be advice mor for advanced amateur-intermediate players that have some solid bases. I don't feel like i'm already there. I understood his explanation in his A.M. book but it still quite hard to apply it and to construct plans.
Second, I'd like to try new authors. I like his teaching, less his tone used that seemed sometimes a little condescending. It's a detail since in those books content > style, obviously.
Russbell: Thanks for the link. I did check it out few days ago. I picked Discovering Chess Openings by Emms from this list (on it's way) because i remember, at the time I started, opening belonged to my main concern since I would read stategic position for middle game but since my opening was quite bad I always ended up in difficult position.
From your list, I also found Simple Chess. I still hesitate between Stean's book and Seirawan's concerning the strategy part. But My balance goes a little more on Seirawan's side since it was adviced by the chess shop keeper and, from reputation, seemed a little easier to grasp.
While Simple Chess is a good book, I suggest that you indeed try the Seirawan book as it has more to offer in terms of contents and they are easy to digest.
In the first list, maybe start with 5 & 6 (they are the simpler of the bunch).
In the second list, I'd start with the Polgar book (well structured and aimed at beginners and beginners+ players).
Thanks for the tip!
I just ordered 3 books. I had to make up my mind, so I didn't chose Pandolfini's or Wilson's book. Instead I opted for: Susan Polgar's book (wich seemed very popular), Seirawan's Strategy book and Discovering Chess Openings by Emms. They'll arrive on saturday or monday.
When i'm threw with them and after my midterms in January, i'll Update this topic to create an edited follow up. Something a little more advanced. But there is time for that
Jambyvedar: There're reasons why i don't include (yet) reassess your chess.
First, I heard by many people that this book is more advance than amateur's mind. More complexe and would be advice mor for advanced amateur-intermediate players that have some solid bases. I don't feel like i'm already there. I understood his explanation in his A.M. book but it still quite hard to apply it and to construct plans.
Second, I'd like to try new authors. I like his teaching, less his tone used that seemed sometimes a little condescending. It's a detail since in those books content > style, obviously.
Russbell: Thanks for the link. I did check it out few days ago. I picked Discovering Chess Openings by Emms from this list (on it's way) because i remember, at the time I started, opening belonged to my main concern since I would read stategic position for middle game but since my opening was quite bad I always ended up in difficult position.
From your list, I also found Simple Chess. I still hesitate between Stean's book and Seirawan's concerning the strategy part. But My balance goes a little more on Seirawan's side since it was adviced by the chess shop keeper and, from reputation, seemed a little easier to grasp.
"Discovering Chess Openings" by John Emms was a good choice by you. I think you will enjoy it.
Susan Polgar's Tactics book is a good one. Also excellent, but not in your original list is "Winning Chess: How to Perfect Your Attacking Play" by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld (either the Batsford or the Russell Enterprises edition will do). It's a basic tactics tutorial where the chapters are organized by tactical theme - for example, "double attack", "the overworked piece", "removing the guard" etc. I highly recommend it.
https://www.amazon.com/WINNING-CHESS-Irving-Chernev/dp/1501117580/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478647850&sr=1-1&keywords=winning+chess
Again, I also highly recommend that at some point you read Pandolfini's "Weapons of Chess", this is the best first book to start learning about the elements of positional chess concepts and technique. (A used copy can be obtained for cheap on Amazon.)
https://www.amazon.com/Weapons-Chess-Omnibus-Strategies-Fireside/dp/0671659723/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478648143&sr=1-1&keywords=weapons+of+chess
Finally, don't forget to study fundamental endgame concepts and techniques....many games (primarily at the amateur level) which might have been won are lost due to lack of endgame skill...my list has several suggestions for introductory endgame books for the chess amateur...
At your level its basics and fundamental principles you should be focusing on....and books written for the novice-intermediate level (your level) - not "advanced" books written for the "Master" and above audience which some (well meaning) commentors might advise you to read. (It appears, from your comments, that you appreciate this fact.)
Hello everyone!
I really tried not to open a new thread about books. But the information is so vast that it's really hard to pinpoint on something.
So, i'd like you as you (if you please) to help me choose between specific books that are adviced all around on the website. If possible, could you put a word or two on why a particular book more than an other? I think that really would help me and those who are asking themselves the same question(s)
I'm low rated Elo (I didn't play many online games. I play live but not club) but from what it seems i must be around 1000 and 1200.
So i'm looking for a strategy book that adds well or emphasizes on parts of Silman's Amateur Mind (wich I studied and enjoyed).
Beside this book, i'm looking for a first tactical book (that i'll read and study after the strategy part).
LIST - Strategy:
)
1/ Modern chess Strategy by Pachman (seems to be a big highlight. I'm little less enthousiast by the idea of paying 55$ for the 3 books
2/ Pawn Structure by Soltis
3/ Simple Chess by Stean
4/ The World's Most instructive Amateur Game Book by D. Heisman
5/ Simple Attacking Plan by Fred Wilson
6/ Weapon of Chess by Pandolfini
7/ Winning Chess strategies by Y. Seirawan
LIST - Tactics:
1/ Chess Tactics For Champions by S. Polgar
2/ Chess 5334 problems by L. Polgar
3/ Back to Basics: Tactics by Heisman
4/ Learn Chess Tactics by John Nunn
So before i end this message, i want to say that yes i know there's tactical trainer on the website. But i'm a bookworm :)
And yes, i purposely put aside My System or Reassess your Chess because it seemed, from reviews, to be a little to advanced for me (maybe Soltis's would be too?)
Please! If you peak, try to peak one or maximum two per section and put a word (doesn't have to be an essay) on why :)
CHEERS AND GOOD GAME