The New Games Treasury [Paperback]

Merilyn Simonds Mohr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1997

All the instructions, strategies, and tactics for every family's favorite games in one authoritative, fully illustrated volume, including more than 40 games not in the original edition and an entire new chapter on the African board game, Mancale. Much more than a compilation of rote instructions, the lively text captures the rich lore and history behind games.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This enormous compendium of rules, variants, strategies and histories is enough to make any game enthusiast's eyes widen with excitement. Even for so large a volume, The New Games Treasury contains a jaw-dropping amount of information. More than 500 games are covered, ranging from the ancient (chess and go) to the modern (Scrabble and Monopoly).

The book doesn't limit itself to just board and card games. You'll even find the rules for darts, softball, and jacks; even tag and 20 questions are given their due. Each game description starts with a quick summary of the important details--how many can play, the equipment needed, complexity and duration, etc.--and then explains the rules in a manner that's both clear and thorough. Many descriptions are accompanied by notes about the game's lineage, and beautiful illustrations are found throughout the volume. Where other guides give you the bread and butter of games, The New Games Treasury provides you with the whole seven courses and insists that you stay for dessert. It is highly recommended. --Matthew Baldwin

Review

"This enormous compendium of rules, variants, strategies and histories is enough to make any game enthusiast's eyes widen with excitement. Even for so large a volume, The New Games Treasury contains a jaw-dropping amount of information. More than 500 games are covered, ranging from the ancient (chess and go) to the modern (Scrabble and Monopoly). The book doesn't limit itself to just board and card games. You'll even find the rules for darts, softball, and jacks; even tag and 20 questions are given their due. Each game description starts with a quick summary of the important details--how many can play, the equipment needed, complexity and duration, etc.--and then explains the rules in a manner that's both clear and thorough. Many descriptions are accompanied by notes about the game's lineage, and beautiful illustrations are found throughout the volume. Where other guides give you the bread and butter of games, The New Games Treasury provides you with the whole seven courses and insists that you stay for dessert. It is highly recommended." (Amazon.com )

"It's a book I wish I had many years ago. Some 500 games, clearly and completely described and illustrated." - Gene Shalit. (The Today Show )

"A lovely collection we wouldn't want to be without." (Games Magazine )

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (September 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576300587
• ISBN-13: 978-1576300589
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #759,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific resource for game players of any age or ability!, November 16, 1999

By 

Carol Houseman (Sacramento, California) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The New Games Treasury (Paperback)

This is a great book. The card games alone make it a terrific resource but then add homemade board games, dice games, guessing games, outdoor games for all ages children to adult, and you have hours and hours of fun in a book. The directions are straightforward and easy to follow. The games index lets you choose a game by number of players, complexity, time, and age level with notations for variations, equipment needed and a distinction between quiet and active games. Our family has learned many new games we had never even dreamed about - we even learned to play bocce ball with croquet balls! Buy it if you like to play games.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Top Recommendation, April 28, 2005

By 

Todd W. Neller (Gettysburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The New Games Treasury (Paperback)

Many people know of "Hoyle"-branded game rule books, but this book deserves much greater recognition and acclaim. In addition to presenting one of the best modern collections of game rules, Mohr delves into the interesting histories behind the games. (Did you know that croquet was once banned as an immoral sport?) From board games to outdoor games to party games, Mohr clearly and entertainingly presents a delightful and diverse set of game entertainments for all ages.

Other sources will, of course, present more comprehensive sets of rules for card games (www.pagat.com), dice games (Knizia's "Dice Games Properly Explained"), and other types of games. From my full shelf of game rule books, this is the beautiful and balanced one I would recommend to a friend who is seeking their first.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, March 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The New Games Treasury (Paperback)

I'm so glad I purchased this book. I've been looking at it for hours at a time since I got it. There's sure to be a game that everyone in your family will enjoy. Outdoor, dice, card (many variations, including solitaire games), stones, beans, shells, pen & paper, domino, board (some requiring special pieces, like Chess and Monopoly), parlor, travel, really old, and somewhat new games! Buy it if for no other reason than to settle family arguments about rules!

Got a big yard or park nearby and lots of friends? Play Capture the Flag, Touch or Flag Football, Prisoner's Base, Red Rover, Dodge Ball or tons of other outdoor games requiring little or no equipment.

Like word games? There's a section for those, too!

Got a little one who's lonely and bored? Teach 'em how to play various forms of Hopscotch, Jacks, Jump Rope, or Marbles.

Want a global, multi-cultural gaming persprective? Try the Mancala games, dreidels, or French Tarot games (these all require special equipment).

I bought it for the information about horseshoes, croquet, and bocce (lawn bowling). It gives dimensions for the playing area, rules, even a little strategy! I am not kidding you, this book is great if you have kids to entertain, or just really love a good game.

I plan to teach my fiancee how to play chess this weekend using the very comprehensive instructions this book provides.