BOARD GAMES IN 100 MOVES / AUTHOR: IAN LIVINGSTONE, JAMES WALLIS / PUBLISHER: DK / RELEASE DATE: 5TH SEPTEMBER
Board Games in 100 Moves – by experts Ian Livingstone and James Wallis – covers the 8,000 year history of board games, from wood and stone games all the way through to the plastic miniatures we love and use today. On top of this, it includes a list of the top 100 most important board games of all time.
As the founder of Games Workshop, Ian Livingstone’s knowledge of board games was always going to be a force to be reckoned with, but the foreword alone tells you how deep the bond goes and how much of his passion it is rather than just a career. This is reflected throughout the book, where the history feels complete and details are plentiful.
100 Moves takes the reader on a journey through the ages, and is full of insight across that broad timeline. It discusses the origins of games and what the oldest game might be, and breaks eras down into different materials used in making the games. It’s well-written and educates without ever becoming dull or sounding uninformed. As well as covering the past in immense detail, the book also talks about the present and the future, covering more modern issues such as Kickstarter and the digital revolution.
The book itself is a beautiful thick hardback design with iconic images of the Grand Jeu De L’oie and Ticket to Ride boards on the inserts. Its 171 glossy pages are filled with photographs of box art, games, board designs and artwork that depicts a detailed evolution of ingenuity and design, as well as displaying changing themes throughout history.
Board Games In 100 Moves is essential reading for board game enthusiasts of all ages. It’s both an education as well as a nostalgic trip to one’s childhood. It’s a source of reference for those looking to add a new game to their collection and an insight into the minds of the creators that have given us so much pleasure throughout our lives.
