Gaming History

The definitive behind-the-scenes history of video games’ explosion into the twenty-first century and the war for industry power “A zippy read through a truly deep research job. You won’t want to put this one down.”—Eddie Adlum, publisher, RePlay Magazine As video games evolve, only the...

In the 1970s, Atari became the leader in home video gaming with the Atari 2600. But were they the first? And how did it evolve into the revolutionary games and systems of today? Listen to learn the answers to these questions and more.

The definitive behind-the-scenes history of the dawn of video games and their rise into a multibillion-dollar business “For industry insiders and game players alike, this book is a must-have.”—Mark Turmell, designer for Midway Games and creator of NBA Jam, NFL Blitz, and WrestleMania ...

An utterly original celebration of that which binds humanity across battle lines and history. On the island of Sicily amid the Peloponnesian War, the Syracusans have figured out what to do with the surviving Athenians who had the gall to invade their city: they’ve herded the sorry prisoners of...

UNLOCK YOUR GAME'S NARRATIVE POTENTIAL! With increasingly sophisticated video games being consumed by an enthusiastic and expanding audience, the pressure is on game developers like never before to deliver exciting stories and engaging characters. With Video Game Storytelling, game writer and...

The untold story of how Japan became a cultural superpower through the fantastic inventions that captured—and transformed—the world’s imagination. “A masterful book driven by deep research, new insights, and powerful storytelling.”—W. David Marx, author of Ametora: How Japan Saved...

Named a Best Book of the Year by New York Post! The definitive take on the David-vs.-Goliath GameStop short squeeze—a tale of fortunes won and lost overnight that may end up changing Wall Street forever—from the bestselling author of Breaking Twitter. Ben Mezrich offers a gripping...

Nusantara – A Sea of Tales is the most comprehensive collection of folk tales, fairy tales, myths and legends from the Nusantara and Southeast Asian region, and was written to sit alongside the great anthologies of folklore from other parts of the world.Although it is impossible to trace the...

The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at why Pokémon's evolution from a single Japanese video game to global powerhouse captured the world's attention, and how the "gotta catch 'em all" mentality of its fanbase shaped pop culture—and continues to do so today. More than just a simple journey...

Inspired by the groundbreaking A History of the World in 100 Objects, this book draws on the unique collections of The Strong museum in Rochester, New York, to chronicle the evolution of video games, from Pong to first-person shooters, told through the stories of dozens of objects essential to...

The Science of Superheroes takes a lighthearted but clear-headed look at the real science that underlies some of the greatest superhero comic books of all time, including Spider-Man, Batman, Fantastic Four, and many more. Each chapter presents the story of the origin of one or more superheroes...

How did the son of a laundress for local brothels end up one of America’s most powerful politicians and the Senate’s most bare-knuckled Democrat? Political journalist Jon Ralston gives us the first full biography of Harry Reid, the five-time Senator from Nevada whose ruthlessness and...

'The best, liveliest account yet of the origin of video games. Trial of the Space Invaders is deeply researched, vividly written, and revelatory' Keza MacDonald, author of Super Nintendo A fascinating, page-turning story about one of the great mysteries of the twentieth century: who invented...

Track the explosive history of competitive gaming from retro arcade battles to a billion-dollar global sports phenomenon. Whether you are leveling up your daily commute or looking for an energetic, fast-paced business evolution story, this deep dive reveals how basement LAN parties transformed...

'BRILLIANTLY CLEAR AND CAPTIVATING PROSE' STEPHEN FRY A WATERSTONES BOOK OF YEAR 2023 An award-winning mathematician explores the maths behind the games we love and why we love to play them. Where should you move first in Connect 4? What is the best property in Monopoly? And how can pi help you...

“Read Connect by the absurdly brilliant Julian Gough—a mind-expanding techno-thriller with a hotly beating human heart.” —Emma Donoghue, New York Times bestselling author of Room In the Nevada desert, in the near future, a family crisis sets off a chain reaction that threatens to bring...

“A fascinating, provocative case that the metaverse will not merely transform our virtual experience—it may actually enrich the quality of our lives” (Adam Grant)—from the visionary co-founder of one of today’s most innovative technology companies “This important book offers a highly...

Witness the rise of a billion-dollar tech empire in this nostalgic pop culture history of the video game revolution. Perfect for an engaging daily commute, this immersive narrative charts the dramatic evolution from simple mainframe experiments to the vast digital landscapes billions inhabit...

Witness the ultimate underdog technology story as basement tinkerers build a global pop culture and business empire. Perfect for powering up your daily commute, this energetic history captures the nostalgic thrill of the neon-lit arcade era. Whether you are unwinding at home or studying digital...

From the author of Hugo and NAACP Image Award finalist Riot Baby, an original memoir in essays that interrogates how the relationship between race and the internet has evolved over three decades When Tochi Onyebuchi realized his acclaimed science fiction and fantasy career had been centrally...