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ericthec's review against another edition
4.0
Good biography which brought back fond memories of playing the game into the wee hours and with so many friends.
runehallow's review against another edition
2.0
Two stars, mostly because I learned a few things I hadn't known before. Aside from this smattering of interesting facts, the book isn't terribly compelling or useful. Witwer lionizes Gygaz at every turn; this is less a biography and more a fawning, fanboy paen to someone that the author idolizes & is maybe a little in love with?? There's a lot of fluff in this book, starting with the cheesy framing device of starting many chapters with an excerpt from a symbolic D&D game meant to evoke certain dramatic suggestions about the course of Gygax's life (i.e.: a PC companion falls to trolls in a short dialogue just before a chapter about the death of Gygax's best friend). Many scenes from Gygax's life are extrapolated and fictionalized, albeit not in a particularly elegant or illuminating way. There's just too much blind devotion here.
darthshep's review against another edition
4.0
I love DnD and whenever I get the chance I love learning about the history of nit only the game but those that made the game. And this book gives us a look at Gary Gygax and all that he went through from beginning to end. So if you too are interested in learning about Gary I suggest picking up this book.
shane_tiernan's review against another edition
4.0
I've been playing D&D since I was 8, that makes 40 years. There have been years here and there where I didn't play and there have been years where I played other systems, but I always come back to D&D. I can't imagine my life without role-playing games. I have spent literally 1000's of hours playing or creating content for role-playing games.
So of course I had to read more about the "father of rpgs". I'm pretty sad that I never actually met Mr. Gygax in person, so I guess this is the next best thing. Unfortunately as with most biographical works about our heroes they can disappoint. This one was no exception. From the story in this book, Gary Gygax just doesn't seem like the kind of person I would like very much. That's not to say that I'm not thankful for his huge contribution to my life, it's just that he seemed like an impulsive, hot-headed, selfish jackass. I could totally relate to the love of gaming, writing and the creativity, but the rest left me shaking my head.
I thought the book was a good balance of personal and business life and was just about the right length for me. The only thing I didn't like about it was the little "D&D session intros" to some chapters, because they sounded like they were written by someone who hadn't really played D&D. I guess it was the author's attempt to make them more "accessible" to non role-playing gamers?
So of course I had to read more about the "father of rpgs". I'm pretty sad that I never actually met Mr. Gygax in person, so I guess this is the next best thing. Unfortunately as with most biographical works about our heroes they can disappoint. This one was no exception. From the story in this book, Gary Gygax just doesn't seem like the kind of person I would like very much. That's not to say that I'm not thankful for his huge contribution to my life, it's just that he seemed like an impulsive, hot-headed, selfish jackass. I could totally relate to the love of gaming, writing and the creativity, but the rest left me shaking my head.
I thought the book was a good balance of personal and business life and was just about the right length for me. The only thing I didn't like about it was the little "D&D session intros" to some chapters, because they sounded like they were written by someone who hadn't really played D&D. I guess it was the author's attempt to make them more "accessible" to non role-playing gamers?
bbabyok's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading about Mr. Gygax's life and what happened behind the scenes to make gaming culture. Recommended if you want to learn about the main man behind tabletop role-playing games.
leeakolb's review against another edition
4.0
Good. Could be better
Written mostly as stories and explanation it's a great introduction to Gary Gygax's life and legacy. While there are mentions of some of his worse habits, they are glossed over mostly. That's a positive. Equally glossed over is the loss of control of TSR. That's not as much of a positive for me. Basically a good biography of Gary Gygax. And a decent introduction to some broad ideas of RPGs in general.
Written mostly as stories and explanation it's a great introduction to Gary Gygax's life and legacy. While there are mentions of some of his worse habits, they are glossed over mostly. That's a positive. Equally glossed over is the loss of control of TSR. That's not as much of a positive for me. Basically a good biography of Gary Gygax. And a decent introduction to some broad ideas of RPGs in general.
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook and even though it isn't something I would usually read or listen to I decided to give it a listen.
I was surprised that I actually enjoyed it even though I am not into Dungeons & Dragons.
I thought it was well written and I think Sam Witwer (brother of the author and actor from such things like Star Wars, Being Human U.S., Supergirl, Smallville, etc...) did a fantastic job narrating the story. Heck, I would listen to any audiobook he narrates because I can listen to his voice all day long.
I was surprised that I actually enjoyed it even though I am not into Dungeons & Dragons.
I thought it was well written and I think Sam Witwer (brother of the author and actor from such things like Star Wars, Being Human U.S., Supergirl, Smallville, etc...) did a fantastic job narrating the story. Heck, I would listen to any audiobook he narrates because I can listen to his voice all day long.