Monopoly: The Story Behind the World's Best-Selling Game

"Taking a walk on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City was an excursion into a wonderland of grand hotels, amusement piers stocked with colorful rides and marquee performers, and arcades full of games and sweet treats of every description. The Boardwalk was part avenue, part grandstand." ~ pg. 65 If you loved playing MONOPOLY and wondered how this game got it start, then this is the story behind this beloved pastime. Since the game is based on real-life locations in Atlantic City, this book is filled with lovely pictures of the area. The main chapters include: Go The Game - A Brief History of MONOPOLY The Place - A Brief History of Atlantic City The Railroads The Properties The Utilities Chance and Community Chest Free Parking Passing Go One of the most interesting pictures is one of the original circular game boards from 1933 and a square board from 1932. There is also a drawing of the origins of the game as patented by Lizzie Magie in 1904. Most of the book then focuses on the properties and other fun things like salt water taffy. ~The Rebecca Review

This book is basically a history of Atlantic City during the time that the boardgame Monopoly was being invented. The book is not so much about the game itself but the locations that are on the game board. The book goes into the history of all the locations on the board by color and explained to the reader what Boardwalk was like in the 1930s or how Marvin Gardens got misspelled and other tidbits. It rather a short book overall and its give a pretty good understanding basic values of locations in terms of Atlantic City to the boardgame. Of course, the Atlantic City that being described in this book no longer exist. Much like St. Charles Place no longer exist but this book does allowed the reader to know that the game was based on actual locations that one time, had values which was reflected on the game board. I think that was the purpose of this book.

This is a great little book that takes a historical look at the game we all love and the story behind it. It starts off with a little bit of the history of the game itself, from Elizabeth Magie's original invention to the worldwide phenomenon the game became. However, the book mainly focuses on describing the streets, railroads and sites that have given their names to the game board spaces. The book describes them mostly as they were around the time that Monopoly was being invented. The book is beautifully illustrated with antique photographs and postcards, and shows Atlantic City in a more glamorous and classy era than the current neon-sign-and-big-hair place that it has become. While the book does not cover more than a little bit about the game itself, it does put it into a fun historical context.

If you've ever wondered what the real Atlantic City streets looked like from the original Monopoly board, wonder no more. You can see why this town captured the imagination of the early inventor and promoters of the game. A quintessential American city that abounds with quirky architectural hotels, amusement piers and an elephant structure! The colored panels on the board will never tbe the same as they come alive with images of a wacky American resort and lots of information that reassure us why we all love this game.

LOVED this book! Seeing the places around the board come to life was great fun! Using antique post cards to bring the places around the board to life was a very innovative concept. Mr. Kennedy's love of the game comes through. I found the history very interesting as well. It's a valentine to both Monopoly and to Atlantic City. It evoked great memories of whiling away long afternoons trying to outwit my friends. I was not always successful, but it sure was fun -- and so is the book!