MNb wrote on 12/08/20 at 12:00:02:

Straggler wrote on 12/08/20 at 18:17:16:

Then your demands aren't very high.
Straggler wrote on 12/08/20 at 18:17:16:

I quote from the intro: "The theoretical section is therefore designed to be a step ahead of published theory or games in that particular variation."
Try to apply this to the section on the Hungarian Defense 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 d6/Be7, on the Philidor Fianchetto 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 and on the Philidor-Hanham 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7.
In game 3 try to find GM Fishebein's evaluation of the theoretically important game Weeramantry-Curdo, David Lees Mem 2002.
Then tell me who is theoretically one step ahead.

RivertonKnight wrote on 12/09/20 at 01:43:39:

And you would be wrong. Many French fanboys I've met love to meet the Exchange Variation. I've played the French myself for more than 20 years and am undefeated, both OTB and in corr. chess, after everything but 3.Nc3.

MNb wrote on 12/08/20 at 12:00:02:

In what way is that book superficial? I thought it was pretty decent.

To be honest, my first reaction is: why would anyone buy this rather than Sielecki's "Keep it Simple 1.e4" and get a full e4 repertoire to boot.

Guramishvili also has a chess24 video course covering this, the exchange Caro, and something against the Pirc.  I'm not sure there is that much theory on the exchange French.

Based on my results with both colors, I have concluded the Exchange French is a forced win for black. Perhaps Fishbein can rehabilitate this variation and demonstrate that white can somehow hold. I remain skeptical for now, but the proof is in the variations.