Oxford History of Board Games

"Great tidbits or obscure, entertaining facts can be found on any given page." --Library Journal


For thousands of years, board games have captured our imaginations as we have conspired against, chased, and attacked one another across the table from our friends and foes, locked quest for victory.

In his newly updated History of Board Games (the previous edition was titled: The Oxford History of Board Games ), David Parlett explores the fascinating origins and development of our favorite games - from the Egyptian and Asian predecessors of checkers and chess to modern classics like Monopoly and Clue. With an entertaining, accessible style, Parlett delves into what is one of the most universal roots of our cultural history, highlighting the importance of game-playing as a vital part of the human experience.

In addition to his detailed research on the mechanisms of games, Parlett adds his unique insight drawing upon 20 years of experience as a professional games researcher, critic and game inventor to explore lesser-known and experimental games.

Games covered in this entertaining title include Alquerque; backgammon; chess; Cluedo; Draughts; Fox & Geese; Go; Halma; Ludo; Monopoly; Noughts & Crosses; Oware; Pachisi; Scrabble; Snakes & Ladders; solitaire; Trivial Pursuit are included, along with many more.