The great board game revolution is here-- What do these games tell us about our society, our relationships, and ourselves? "Games, Jonathan Kay and Joan Moriarity show in this lively and insightful book, are not just fun and games: they allow us to explore the complexities of the world, from evolution to war to climate." - STEVEN PINKER, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress "Kay and Moriarity are both skilled writers and elucidators, and their voices are distinct enough to provide the book with a pleasing yin and yang. It's a far more perceptive and intriguing book than it appears at first blush, particularly for those readers who have never thought of games as an artistic medium - at least not one that comments on society." - KIRKUS REVIEWS Board games are among our most ancient and beloved art forms. During the rise of digital media, they fell from prominence for a decade or two but today they are in a new golden age. They're ingeniously designed, beautiful to look at, and exhilarating to play. Games are reclaiming their place in our culture, as entertainment, social activity, and intellectual workout equipment. Alone among all art forms, games require their audience (called "players") to participate. If nobody's playing, there is no game. As a result, games can tell far more about us than our TV shows, movies or music ever could. How does The Game of Life illustrate our changing attitudes about virtue? How does a World War II conflict simulation game explain the shortcomings of a failed novelist? Each chapter of Your Move examines one game, and what it reveals about our culture, history, society, and relationships. The book's two co-authors bring the perspectives of a writer who plays, and a player who writes. Before Jonathan Kay began his distinguished career as an author and commentator, he had a passion for games, and in recent years he has rediscovered them. Meanwhile, Joan Moriarity's career has been spent designing, developing, distributing, art directing, recommending and teaching board games and, recently, writing about them for a wider audience. With its short, punchy essays, and beautiful photographs of the games themselves, every chapter will be a worthwhile read in itself, and the book overall will leave you inspired to discover the truths of your own inner and outer world through play -- whether you're a seasoned veteran or a total newcomer.

This book is a lively result of a chess authorities attempts to help his teenage son improve his play. Young Benjamin Fine proved to be an invaluable assistant in preparing the text, presenting the problems and helping to work out the solutions. Other young chess beginners will find his experience of more than ordinary interest. In writing this book, the author kept in mind the player who has little or no previous knowledge of chess. His aim has been to provide a useful practical technique for handling the game. In addition to basic information about the board, the chess men and notation, Dr. Fine in a special chapter on chess moves introduces the reader to some of the delights or more complex play. The last chapter is devoted to describing a study scheme which is bound to lead to steady improvement on one's play. Over 300 clear, explanatory diagrams and a brief but carefully selected biography compliment the text and add to the books usefulness. Reuben Fine is one of the world's leading authorities on chess. In addition to being one of the foremost grandmasters of our time, his writings have done more than those of any other man to make the knowledge of the masters available to all chess players. He has the rarest of all gifts, the ability to be both lucid and profound.