About the Author

FRANK BRADY is internationally recognized as the person most knowledgeable about the life and career of Bobby Fischer. Brady is the author of numerous critically acclaimed biographies, including "Citizen Welles; Onassis: An Extravagant Life; "and "Bobby Fischer: Profile of a Prodigy "(the first edition of which appeared in the mid-1960's and focuses on the young Bobby). Until recently, Brady was the Chairman of the Communications Department at St. John's University, and he remains a full professor there. He is also the President of the Marshall Chess Club and was the founding editor of "Chess Life."

Reviews

"One the year's best biographies." --"Washington Post"
"Mr. Brady's biography is well-written, studiously researched and filled with fascinating details. It imparts the love of chess and affection for 'Bobby' that the author clearly feels...Boris Spassky, after the losing the world championship title to Fischer, said: 'I think I understand him.' Perhaps one day the rest of us will too. Until then, we have "Endgame "to fill the void." --"Wall Street Journal"
"The freakishly talented, freakishly flawed Fischer played the game as if it were a blood sport...In ENDGAME Frank Brady tells the story of Fischer's life with a dramatic flair and a sense of judiciousness."
--The Boston Globe
"Brady's book is an impressive balancing act and a great accomplishment...What results is a chance for the reader to weigh up the evidence and come to his own conclusions -- or skip judgments completely and simply enjoy reading a rise-and-fall story that has more than a few affinities with Greek tragedy." --"The New York Review of Books"
"Presents Fischer's story with an almost Olympian evenhandedness that ends up making it far more absorbing than any sensationalized account."
--Laura Miller, Salon.com
"Brady is in a unique position to write about Fischer...he had access to new materials, including files from the FBI and the K.G.B. (which identified Fischer as a threat to Soviet chess hegemony in the mid-1980s); the personal archives of Fischer's mother, Regina, and his mentor and coach Jack Collins; and even an autobiographical essay written by the teenage Fischer. The wealth of material allows Brady to describe many rich moments and details."
--New York Times Book Review
"Brady seems unusually well qualified to capture Fischer's many facets and contradictions...ENDGAME is a rapt, intimate book, greatly helped by Brady's acquaintance withFischer...he sees the person behind the bluster...he also makes use of unusually good source mate

"Rich in detail and insight. "Endgame" is sympathetic and human, but not at all naive. I admire Brady's resolve, and I consider this book essential reading in the effort to understand Bobby Fischer and his place in our world."
--David Shenk, author of "The Immortal Game "and "The Genius in All of Us "
 
“Fascinating…filled with hope, Cold War intrigue, the fulfillment of genius, and an explosive fall from grace that is both deeply moving and, ultimately, profoundly sad.”
“Jeremy Silman, International Chess Master and author of "How to Reassess Your Chess "
 
"The definitive portrait of the greatest—and most disturbed—chess genius of all time.”
--Paul Hoffman, author of  "The Man Who Loved Only Numbers "and "King’s Gambit "
" "
"A weird and fascinating biography…Bravo.”
--Robert Lipsyte, author of "An Accidental Sportswriter"

Chess legend Bobby Fischer, whose unprecedented affinity for the game captured public attention as much as did his difficult behavior and anti-Semitic and anti-American rants in later life, died in Iceland in 2008. Fischer friend Brady presents his second biography of the Grandmaster, following the best seller Profile of a Prodigy (1965), using new documentation and interviews to give listeners a clearer view of the champion's sad and controversial life. Actor/Audie Award nominee Ray Porter's well-paced performance adds dimension to this fascinating and enlightening account of a brilliant man with a very dark side. Recommended for chess devotees and anyone who appreciates a fine biography. ["Recommended not just for chess enthusiasts but for anyone interested in the compelling life of a complex, enigmatic American icon," read the review of the Crown hc, LJ 2/15/11; the Broadway pb will publish in January 2012.-Ed.]--Barbara Valle, El Paso P.L., TX (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

"One the year's best biographies." --"Washington Post"
"Mr. Brady's biography is well-written, studiously researched and filled with fascinating details. It imparts the love of chess and affection for 'Bobby' that the author clearly feels...Boris Spassky, after the losing the world championship title to Fischer, said: 'I think I understand him.' Perhaps one day the rest of us will too. Until then, we have "Endgame "to fill the void." --"Wall Street Journal"
"The freakishly talented, freakishly flawed Fischer played the game as if it were a blood sport...In ENDGAME Frank Brady tells the story of Fischer's life with a dramatic flair and a sense of judiciousness."
--The Boston Globe
"Brady's book is an impressive balancing act and a great accomplishment...What results is a chance for the reader to weigh up the evidence and come to his own conclusions -- or skip judgments completely and simply enjoy reading a rise-and-fall story that has more than a few affinities with Greek tragedy." --"The New York Review of Books"
"Presents Fischer's story with an almost Olympian evenhandedness that ends up making it far more absorbing than any sensationalized account."
--Laura Miller, Salon.com
"Brady is in a unique position to write about Fischer...he had access to new materials, including files from the FBI and the K.G.B. (which identified Fischer as a threat to Soviet chess hegemony in the mid-1980s); the personal archives of Fischer's mother, Regina, and his mentor and coach Jack Collins; and even an autobiographical essay written by the teenage Fischer. The wealth of material allows Brady to describe many rich moments and details."
--New York Times Book Review
"Brady seems unusually well qualified to capture Fischer's many facets and contradictions...ENDGAME is a rapt, intimate book, greatly helped by Brady's acquaintance withFischer...he sees the person behind the bluster...he also makes use of unusually good source mate

"Rich in detail and insight. "Endgame" is sympathetic and human, but not at all naive. I admire Brady's resolve, and I consider this book essential reading in the effort to understand Bobby Fischer and his place in our world."
--David Shenk, author of "The Immortal Game "and "The Genius in All of Us "

"Fascinating...filled with hope, Cold War intrigue, the fulfillment of genius, and an explosive fall from grace that is both deeply moving and, ultimately, profoundly sad."
"Jeremy Silman, International Chess Master and author of "How to Reassess Your Chess "

"The definitive portrait of the greatest-and most disturbed-chess genius of all time."
--Paul Hoffman, author of "The Man Who Loved Only Numbers "and "King's Gambit "
" "
"A weird and fascinating biography...Bravo."
--Robert Lipsyte, author of "An Accidental Sportswriter"