Close Encounters is a two-book series that describes some of the most memorable bridge matches of the last fifty years. It features titanic struggles for World and National titles, involving the greatest players from Europe and North America. There are amazing comebacks, down-to-the-wire finishes, overtime victories, and an insight into how the game has changed over the last half century. Book 2 starts with Italy losing a world title in bizarre fashion on the final board, and ends with the USA's nail-biting 2-IMP victory over France in Lyon in 2017.