Anne SixsmithBrian R. Gray is a retired professional consulting geotechnical engineer. He enjoyed playing bridge so much that five years later he wrote his first bridge book, "A Newcomer's Guide Stress-Free Introduction To Duplicate Bridge" in 2020 with the NorthAmerican player in mind. Brian was fortunate to be partnered with two experienced players who mentored him on the bridge regulations and the game itself. He thought it would be very helpful to newcomers and contract bridge players (like himself) checking out Duplicate to have the necessary information for success in a single book at their fingertips. March 2020 came, the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the 3,200 bridge clubs across North America were closed. During the lockdown and months that followed, Brian checked out the bridge scene in the UK. Not surprisingly, the English Bridge Union was encountering similar problems as that of the American Contract Bridge League; namely, the difficulty of students leaving the comfort of the classroom and contract bridge players to successfully and confidently transition to the club game environment. Hence, this companion book, "A Handy Bridge Player's Guide To Duplicate," was written. Brian thought he would add a little twist to the storyline based on "A Tale of Two Cities," except in this instance, "A Tale of Twin Bridge Clubs"; namely, Stamford Bridge Club Lincolnshire UK and Mississauga Oakville Community Bridge Club Ontario Canada. Since November 2020, Brian has split his time when playing, regularly on the EBU and ACBL virtual BBO sites. Brian was exceedingly fortunate to have two very meticulous book editors: Anne Sixsmith and Selwyn Kossuth, Ruby and Bronze Life Masters respectively. Anne, a former Lancashire lass owns and directs her own 20-year old Washago bridge club. Selwyn, who was a regular at the Oxford Bridge club several years ago, is the author of two bridge theme books, "Weak Two" and "Deep Finesse". During the pandemic, Brian has written and published several Covid bridge theme articles listed below and others are available on his website http: //bridgebeginnermentor.ca Bridge Advice World's Best COVID-19 Defence Plan ABTA The Quarterly Magazine Fall Edition 2020. "Safety Plays" a three-part series CBF The Kibitzer magazine Winter2020/2021, and Spring and Summer 2021 editions. "Teach Me to Be A Smart Dummy" "A Big Heart is Not Restricted To Club Size" "Director Please!" Before Covid-19, Brian played bridge twice weekly with his twin brother, Wayne, and looks forward to reconnecting when face to face bridge resumes. We all are anxiously waiting for the return to the new normal later in 2021 as the vaccination programs roll out. Pre-Covid, Brian and his wife Rosemary enjoyed playing social bridge with family and friends. She plays socially twice a week with friends and at the condo bridge club while he is down at the MObridge club doing his thing. Brian and Rosemary have had to put any cruising and travel plans on the back burners until 2022. It will be satisfying enough to get back to leisure activities; golfing, bowling, singing in the musical group (The Noteables), cottage time at Soyer's Lake (parts of both bridge books written there while on vacation) and time with friends and extended family. Read More Read Less