"Let's Play Go!" is an unusual little book, squarely aimed at prospective go teachers, especially those who might be hesitating, unsure of how to start. Crisply describing Mr. Yasuda's introductory "Capture Game" approach, the author's enthusiasm for teaching shines through, just as it does in his earlier "Go as Communication: The Educational and Therapeutic Value of the Game of Go."

Beginning with a sequence of illustrative questions, problems, and model games, Yasuda builds from the Capture Game to the threshold of real go. For teaching, these sections can even be used almost as a script, complete with built-in problems. And yes, it really is very easy to introduce a group to go with this method; you can divide a group in two parts and have them playing the Capture Game as teams in under 15 minutes. Mr. Yasuda doesn't discuss how to divide a group - I've found it useful to have children play in some set order, for example, simply to make sure they are all involved - but such details aren't critical.

The book is not an introduction to real go, though. It doesn't adequately discuss several subjects that are difficult for beginners - seeing a snapback, and understanding how that differs from a ko, for example. Most importantly, it doesn't adequately explain how a game ends which is the hardest thing for new players to grasp, particularly using the territory scoring that Mr. Yasuda shows. The best description of ending the game that I have seen is by Charles Matthews, in his "Teach Yourself Go". Overall, "Let's Play Go!" is an ideal encouragement and plan for anyone who has a short session to introduce go to a group. I've found this approach interests and involves children very quickly. For anyone with more time to teach, additional material would be needed. Some books besides Mr. Matthews's above are in print - "The Book of Go" by William Cobb (also from Slate & Shell) uses the same method, while the series by Janice Kim and Jeong Soo-hyun (from Samarkand) cover much more, albeit in multiple volumes - and there are other alternatives as well. Additionally, there is material available on the web, much linked to from the AGA website. One notable resource is Susan Weir's curriculum at http://www.weirdolls.com/go/indgo.html which has detailed lesson plans for 14 sessions. For those wanting only a good introduction to the Capture Game, and encouragement to teach it though, "Let's Play Go!" is ideal.