The Elfish Gene by Mark Barrowcliffe
Just awesome - I've read this numerous times. One man's childhood in Dungeons & Dragons.
Mark's book is an easy read that will make you laugh, cringe and nod in agreement in equal measures. Stories and anecdotes from a guy on the fringes of reality - I really can't recommend this enough.
Empire of Imagination, Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons by Michael Witwer
Ok(ish) - reads like a bit of college English project if I'm honest. Lots of re-imagined dialogue in places that does become a little irritating. An easy read but nothing new here.
Of Dice & Men - David M Ewalt
A bit of a modern spin on gamers. Not as heavy on the origin stories of gamers as I might like but worthwhile none the less.
Playing at the World - Jon Peterson
This is the real deal - a full (too full!) and in depth history of wargames and roleplaying. This is, at times, heavy going and has a tendency to read like a text book but is a work of absolute genius - go and buy this book!
Hawk & Moor Trilogy by Clark David Kent
Nice history of the early years of D&D - very well researched timeline of releases and publication. For a book so deep on detail it is a very easy read.
Hunters of Dragons by Ciro Alessandro Sacco
Really just a list of D&D products - perhaps one for the completest!
Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks by Ethan Gilsdorf
Another nice "Geek Journey" (Gilsdorf is a bit of an Uber-Geek and has written quite a lot about the culture over the years). This is a great book - not all specifically game related but all very relevant to our interests.
Achtung Schweinhund by Harry Pearson
Not at all D&D related but one of my favourites - a boys-own story of war and war-toys - excellent.
And a few I haven't read but are on the list to read in the future -
Rise of the Dungeon Master: Gary Gygax and the Creation of D&D by David Kushner.
Designers & Dragons by Shannon Appelcline.
and an honourable mention - it's not gaming but it's good stuff.
Watching War films with my Dad by Al Murray
It's well worth hunting out a few of these and I welcome recommendations for further reading
You know, I'm biased on this but... the absence of APPENDIX N: The Literary History of Dungeons & Dragons from your list here really sticks out at me.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I haven't come across this before but it looks to be right at home on the list. Added to my kindle reading list so feedback to follow (though don't hold your breath☺). More recommendations welcome
ReplyDeleteThere's a very old book, from the days of original D&D, called _Shared Fantasy_, by Dr. Gary Alan Fine. He was a sociologist who started playing D&D and in M.A.R. Barker's original Tekumel campaign. It's interesting as a participant history and academic perspective.
ReplyDeleteAnother good read by the look. Added to the list but might have to buy the physical book,which aint cheap by the look of it. Never mind, I'm nothing if not patient. Thanks for the recommendation
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