Monopoly: The World's Most Famous Game -- And How It Got That Way

Phil Orbanes is the absolute authority on the history of Monopoly, and this book shows an incredible depth of research. It is also entertaining, and would be a joy to read for game enthusiasts as well as historians. The history of "folk items" - like games - isn't often given much thought, but you can tell that every word of this book was written out of love and care for the subject.That said, Mr. Orbanes's narrative does take a somewhat pro-Parker Brothers and pro-Charles Darrow point of view, and it's important to point out that there are other views out there. The history isn't quite so clear. If you're really interested in getting to the bottom of the story - who made Monopoly originally, why, what happened to it, and why that matters - I suggest pairing this book with the research done by Ralph Anspach in the 1970s and 80s, which is readily available on the internet. I believe Mr. Anspach published a few books of his own.Nevertheless, this book is both a well written story, and a well researched resource.

The is a great book for Monopoly fans. It is loaded with information and fun facts. The history and the photos of the first boards our wonderful. My son and I both enjoyed reading through the book together.

Beautiful book. Great source of information on the history of Monopoly.

When I picked up this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I thought it was going to be a book just about the game and its glory. While I was intrigued because Monopoly is my favorite game, I figured I would give it a shot. And boy was I surprised.The book starts off with the Author in search of the history of the game. Which leads him not Monopoly, but to two key figures; Henry George and Elizabeth Magie Phillips. Henry George wrote a socialist book about the Single Tax Theory in his book Progress and Poverty in 1879. Ms. Phillips developed a game called the "Landlord's Game" in 1903 based off Mr. George's theory. This interesting beginning started a revolution that we know today.While many game manufactures like Parker Brothers would not carry the game, Lizzie would patent it and give teach friends how to play the game. Some investors decide to build on a parcel of land to test the theory out where Lizzie sent them a copy of the game. The town was Arden, DE.As she taught her friends, they taught others and it eventually made it to a class room at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania to teach students economics and the evils of Monopolies. As students were taught this game, it migrated to other colleges and university including Columbia University. It started to become popular by word of mouth.The Landlord Game went through many modifications to become Monopoly. The Atlantic City theme did not appear until1930's When Dorothy and Cyril Harvey started to put the names of the streets and avenues of the town. They played this game with Charles and Olivia Todd who in turn showed Charles Darrow the game. Darrow would go on to popularize the game and to get Parker Brothers to start publishing the games years later. He even took credit for inventing the game we now know.The only thing I did not like about the book was that he spent a lot of time on tournament play toward the end of the book. It was exciting, but it really wasn't need to complete the story of the game. I would have left it out.Philip Orbanes not only adds the colorful history of the game, but he includes a knowledge of ecconomics, politics, history, all background stories to the book, making more than a book about the game, but a book about the United States and its rich history. This is a valuable book for everyone because it shows us what we actual miss in school about these subjects, but adds a sense of fun and reality to it. It was a joy to read and learn about this great game.I highly recommend this book.Enjoy

This is an extremely informative book on the early history of monopoly, and how it went through its changes to become the cultural mainstay it is today, and likely will continue to be so. After the initial history, the author starts wandering off into his rather elementary perceptions of US history and how they affected the game. I seriously had to fight off the eye glazing effect for the rest of the book, though there are some parts of the author's firsthand accounts of Monopoly tournaments that are mildly interesting. For an Amazon bargain book, worth the money, otherwise no way.

Great book!

I got this from the library for my 5-year-old who is suddenly a Monopoly nut, and I really enjoyed it! Lots of factoids about this bit of Americana, most notably how it survived as an underground game in the early 20th century with folks making their own boards and tokens, before the patents could be ironed out that would cause Parker Brothers to start really making money. The author credits this period with ironing out the rules and strategies, and causing the game to stand the test of time. We had it at my house, and my grandparents had it too!

you will only read it once. I like the game so much I had to know how it evolved. there are no rules or strategies in this text. it honours those who developed and put it into mass production. and I have miles to go before I sleep.....

Arrived in good time for Xmas and my mum loved it!

Nach dem sehr guten 'The Gamemakers' über die Geschichte von Parker habe ich nun auch Monopoly ' The Worlds most famous game and how it got that way von Phil Orbanes (Kopf von Winnign Moves USA und ehemaliger Vizepräsident von Parker) gelesen. Was auffällt: Es ist in etwa genauso lang wie das Parkerbuch und das obwohl es hier nur um ein einziges Spiel geht. Da ist es kein Wunder, dass der Autor hier praktisch bei Adam und Eva anfängt (genauer gesagt: Bei der Gründung von Atlanta, der Stadt, nach der die Original-Strassen von Monopoly benannt sind) und dass auch am Ende noch jede Menge Füllstoff drin ist, z.B. ist das Kapitel über die Sammler mehr eine Aufzählung á la der und der hat dannunddann aus diesen und jenen Gründen angefangen dies und das für die Sammlergemeinschaft zu tun. Interessiert nicht wirklich! Gut dagegen die eigentliche Geschichte des Spieles, die etwa die Hälfte des Inhalts ausmacht. Hier wird wirklich sehr genau nachverfolgt, wie aus dem 'Landlords Game' von Magie nach und nach 'Monopoly' wurde ' Welchen Weg das Spiel machte und wer welche Regeln erfand. Sehr lesenswert! Auch weil man endlich erfährt, welchen Anteil Charles Darrow nun wirklich am Monopoly-Design hat. Antwort: Das Layout. Für Spielehistoriker ist das Buch trotz o.g. Schwächen daher ein Muss.

It was a very illuminating read and provided the twists and turns in the evolutionary process of this great board game. It also highlights the commercial proceedings and decisions that have been made this board game what it is today.