Customer Reviews

The World of Games: Their Origins and History, How to Play Them, and How to Make Them

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Although currently out-of-print, this work is a "must have" for anyone seeking historic information, rules and in same instances, instructions for creating, a large number of board, card, skill and action, oudoor, dice, strategy and other games. I have found it invaluable in researching the history and cross-cultural versions of many generic games (i.e. games not necessarily commercially produced in "boxes" by manufacturers). The graphics are outstanding, the size of the book and quality of binding and paper first rate. It is a pleasure to handle, read and peruse. Although I have a good reference shelf on games and game history, I find myself returning to this volume quite often for a concise definition, set of rules or historic perspective on many games and pasttimes. I sincerely hope it will be sought out by those interested in games and their place in history and culture.

If you are even a little interested in games of the past or of far away places then you NEED this book. It not only tells you about what game Abraham might have played in Ur or King Tut in Egypt, it tells you how to construct your own game so that you can play too! I have two copies of this book so that I have one to loan and one to keep safe. Hefatafl is a particular favorite of mine. Who knew the Vikings played board games ???