Customer Reviews

The Games We Played: The Golden Age of Board & Table Games

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Board games seem to have a monopoly on our entertaining
pastimes: Their sales have doubled in the last year alone! And if
your idea of a great game is Chutes & Ladders or Risk, they go to
jail and do not pass go. Margaret K. Hofer's nifty volume brings
together more than 100 eye-popping examples of rare and popular
board games, organized by theme, such as sports, courtship and
travel. The late 19th century and early 20th century games here are drawn from more than 500 such gems from The New York
Historical Society's tremendous collection. What's most fascinating (besides the glorious color photos) is being reminded
that as much as times change, some things (like games) don't. Take "The Elite Conversation Cards," manufactured in 1887. Think of it as a vintage "20 Questions" or a host of other games that can be found at Toys R Us .... courting couples "break the ice" with cards that ask such deep, thought-provoking questions
such as "Are you inclined to boss the house?" and "Have you ever
been in love?" Pass the dice, please.

Board game have long been a family passtime, and this history of the board game will intrigue any who enjoy games. Bright full-page color photos of vintage board and table games accompany descriptions of their themes and history. Games are organized around themes - chapters survey a surprising one hundred of popular American games, drawn from over five hundred given to the New York Historical Society by Arthur and Ellen Liman, flea market devotees who amassed a large collection. Highly recommended for collectors and game enthusiasts alike: The Games We Played is a perfect gift pick for the Christmas season!

Board games as we understand them in the 21st century, really began in the early nineteenth. Before then, children were really considered to be junior adults: time not spent in school was for work on the farm, or in a factory. Of course there was chess, checkers (draughts) or games like Go, and Senet. But these were primarily played by adults. With growing prosperity, and corresponding disposable income and spare time, came a realization of the value of play for children. This play could be used for socialization: instill values, increase literacy, and develop dexterity, without the kids knowing it. Since board games had this mission, as well as entertainment they make a unique window into the social history of the Victorian Era.

"The Games We Played" does an excellent job of showing the changes wrought in American society reflected in board games. The rise of urbanization, development of a transportation infrastructure, and the nascent consumerism all are described via the illustrations. This is not an in depth social history, but association of major nineteenth century events, and how they affected games is pointed out. The illustrations alone are almost worth the price of the book, as they are practically works of art (in an era before lithographs, game art was hand painted by factory workers). The only weak areas of the book are the two chapters about travel; neither is more than a few pages, and the narrative is not of the level of the others in this work. Overall, if one has any interest in games, or social history this is worth considering.

I bought this book for my brother-in-law who conducts games and doll exhibition each year in their showroom (www.ramsonsmysore.com) located in Mysore, India to the public. He received great reviews about the exhibit from the visitors and also in National newspapers

I also bought other books listed below

* Asian Games: The Art of Contest
* Favorite Board Games You Can Make and Play
* The illustrated guide to world chess sets
* The World of Games: Their Origins and History, How to Play Them, and How to Make Them
* Games Magazine Big Book of Games II: 10 Great Years
* Games Magazine Big Book of Games
* The Games We Played: The Golden Age of Board & Table Games
* Board and Table Games from Many Civilizations
* Classic Woodturning Projects with Bonnie Klein: 12 Skill-Building Designs
* Oxford History of Board Games
* The Game Makers: The Story of Parker Brothers, from Tiddledy Winks to Trivial Pursuit

I am very happy to have bought this book; I have no regret whatsoever.
Exactly what I was looking for since I am a fan of vintage board games.

Wow. Great images in this book. The illustrators of the old board games were so talented. I was amazed at the images in this book. Great history, too.

This is not a review of the book in question but rather an invitation to explore the topic more thoroughly. Visit www . boardgamegeek . com and you can research literally 1000s of board games, with pictures and reviews, from all time periods, countries and types. I promise you that if you love playing board games or simply like board game history or collecting this site is for you.