"This is a golden age for board games. More people are playing games such as Chess, Monopoly, Risk, and Scrabble than ever before! But how did these games, and so many others, come to be invented? Discover the compelling stories behind the creation of the board games we know and love to play--stories that have touched every aspect of people's lives through the ages. Our journey starts 5,000 years ago and continues right up to the present day. On the way, each game will reveal the fascinating secrets of its origin and its lasting appeal."--From publisher's description.

Wood and stone. Who goes first? ; Games without frontiers ; Games afoot ; Check please ; Two times table -- Paper and print. Reshuffling ; Wild goose chase ; Amusing and instructive -- Cardboard. Play fighting ; Exit east ; Campaign games ; Monopolies and mergers -- Plastic. Batteries not included ; Play school -- Imagination. All in the mind ; International Spieltage ; Collectible pursuits -- The future. Thinking outside the box ; A world of games ; The play's the thing.