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Monopolists : Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game by Mary Pilon (2015, Hardcover)

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About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherBloomsbury Publishing USA

ISBN-101608199630

ISBN-139781608199631

eBay Product ID (ePID)166602308

Product Key Features

Book TitleMonopolists : Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game

Number of Pages320 Pages

LanguageEnglish

Publication Year2015

TopicBoard Games, Social History

IllustratorYes

GenreGames & Activities, History

AuthorMary Pilon

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height1.1 in

Item Weight20.1 Oz

Item Length9.5 in

Item Width6.6 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2013-047463

Reviews[A] fascinating history . . . The Monopolists lucidly weaves together a multifaceted story . . . [It] builds to an intense pitch--while highlighting several fundamental issues of capitalism., A fascinating history . . . There's plenty of turmoil in this readable book. Read it, and the next time you're circling the board with your Scottish terrier you'll have a deeper understanding of Monopoly's enduring popularity, [An] intriguing history . . . Pilon is a prodigious researcher, and delves into great detail about the intellectual and business roots of Monopoly., Highly entertaining . . . Like Monopoly itself, the book unfolds in interesting directions, probing into lost Quaker communities, the early history of Atlantic City, and how a game originally invented to critique capitalism became its most diverting simulacrum., "In The Monopolists , Ms. Pilon not only tells the strange and at times tragic story of the evolution of America's favorite board game-she also takes us on a jaunt through turn-of-the-century America, where we learn about such far-flung things as the origins of the price tag, the founding of Atlantic City, and the fact that one of the most coveted addresses in the game was home to some of the earliest gay bars in America. This is a must read for anyone who loves the game, and really, who doesn't?" -Erik Larson, author of Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts "What enormous fun this book is! Clever, engaging, finely crafted, and endlessly surprising-and revealing in passing much about the ghastliness of American corporate greed. Much like the game itself, indeed." -Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman (and many other bestselling books) "Mary Pilon has discovered an enthralling story behind Monopoly, as much a history of our country as of its favorite game. She writes with the assurance and energy of a historian who knows she has struck gold." -Gay Talese "America's toy chest is stuffed with games whose origins belie their shiny packaging and family-fun marketing-none more than Monopoly. Mary Pilon's page-turning narrative unravels the innocent beginnings, the corporate shenanigans, and the big lie at the center of this iconic boxed board game." -Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players "Thanks to Mary Pilon's meticulous reporting and mellifluous prose, we now know the real story of the corporate greed and relentless cover-up that scars Monopoly, one of the most beloved and successful board games of all time. Finally, the truth is out." -William D. Cohan, author of The Last Tycoons, Pilon takes us on a jaunt through turn-of-the-century America, where we learn about such far-flung things as the origins of the price tag, the founding of Atlantic City, and the fact that one of the most coveted addresses in the game was home to some of the earliest gay bars in America. This is a must read for anyone who loves the game, and really, who doesn't?, [A] fascinating history . . . The Monopolists lucidly weaves together a multifaceted story . . . [It] builds to an intense pitch - while highlighting several fundamental issues of capitalism., Few books can be said to have a transformative effect on the way readers look at a particular subject. Those that do often concern big subjects--books like Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' or Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring.' While Mary Pilon's The Monopolists does not deal with matters like evolution or the environment, it nonetheless fits the bill. Irresistible . . . On the basis of this terrific book, Pilon . . . might just have a monopoly when it comes to writing on pop culture in a consistently enlightening, completely absorbing way., With more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie mystery, reporter Pilon reveals the tumultuous history of Monopoly . . . More entertaining than the game itself., "In The Monopolists , Ms. Pilon not only tells the strange and at times tragic story of the evolution of America's favorite board game-she also takes us on a jaunt through turn-of-the-century America, where we learn about such far-flung things as the origins of the price tag, the founding of Atlantic City, and the fact that one of the most coveted addresses in the game was home to some of the earliest gay bars in America. This is a must read for anyone who loves the game, and really, who doesn't?" -Erik Larson, author of Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts "What enormous fun this book is! Clever, engaging, finely crafted, and endlessly surprising-and revealing in passing much about the ghastliness of American corporate greed. Much like the game itself, indeed." -Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman (and many other bestselling books) "Mary Pilon has discovered an enthralling story behind Monopoly, as much a history of our country as of its favorite game. She writes with the assurance and energy of a historian who knows she has struck gold." -Gay Talese "America's toy chest is stuffed with games whose origins belie their shiny packaging and family-fun marketing-none more than Monopoly. Mary Pilon's page-turning narrative unravels the innocent beginnings, the corporate shenanigans, and the big lie at the center of this iconic boxed board game." -Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players "Thanks to Mary Pilon's meticulous reporting and mellifluous prose, we now know the real story of the corporate greed and relentless cover-up that scars Monopoly, one of the most beloved and successful board games of all time. Finally, the truth is out." -William D. Cohan, author of The Last Tycoons "The book abounds with interesting tidbits for boardgame buffs but treats its subject seriously. After reading The Monopolists -part parable on the perils facing inventors, part legal odyssey, and part detective story-you'll never look at spry Mr. Monopoly in the same way again." - Booklist "Pilon invests this surprisingly contentious chronicle with a dynamic mix of journalistic knowledge and subtle wit . . . A fascinating, appealingly written history of an iconic American amusement." - Kirkus Reviews, Mary Pilon has discovered an enthralling story behind Monopoly, as much a history of our country as of its favorite game. She writes with the assurance and energy of a historian who knows she has struck gold., Pilon invests this surprisingly contentious chronicle with a dynamic mix of journalistic knowledge and subtle wit . . . A fascinating, appealingly written history of an iconic American amusement., The book abounds with interesting tidbits for boardgame buffs but treats its subject seriously. After reading The Monopolists --part parable on the perils facing inventors, part legal odyssey, and part detective story--you'll never look at spry Mr. Monopoly in the same way again., Thanks to Mary Pilon's meticulous reporting and mellifluous prose, we now know the real story of the corporate greed and relentless cover-up that scars Monopoly, one of the most beloved and successful board games of all time. Finally, the truth is out., What enormous fun this book is! Clever, engaging, finely crafted, and endlessly surprising--and revealing in passing much about the ghastliness of American corporate greed. Much like the game itself, indeed., "In The Monopolists , Ms. Pilon not only tells the strange and at times tragic story of the evolution of America's favorite board game-she also takes us on a jaunt through turn-of-the-century America, where we learn about such far-flung things as the origins of the price tag, the founding of Atlantic City, and the fact that one of the most coveted addresses in the game was home to some of the earliest gay bars in America. This is a must read for anyone who loves the game, and really, who doesn't?" -Erik Larson, author of Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts "What enormous fun this book is! Clever, engaging, finely crafted, and endlessly surprising-and revealing in passing much about the ghastliness of American corporate greed. Much like the game itself, indeed." -Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman (and many other bestselling books), Few books can be said to have a transformative effect on the way readers look at a particular subject. Those that do often concern big subjects - books like Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' or Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring.' While Mary Pilon's The Monopolists does not deal with matters like evolution or the environment, it nonetheless fits the bill. Irresistible . . . On the basis of this terrific book, Pilon . . . might just have a monopoly when it comes to writing on pop culture in a consistently enlightening, completely absorbing way., "In The Monopolists , Ms. Pilon not only tells the strange and at times tragic story of the evolution of America's favorite board game-she also takes us on a jaunt through turn-of-the-century America, where we learn about such far-flung things as the origins of the price tag, the founding of Atlantic City, and the fact that one of the most coveted addresses in the game was home to some of the earliest gay bars in America. This is a must read for anyone who loves the game, and really, who doesn't?" -Erik Larson, author of Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts "What enormous fun this book is! Clever, engaging, finely crafted, and endlessly surprising-and revealing in passing much about the ghastliness of American corporate greed. Much like the game itself, indeed." -Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman (and many other bestselling books) "Mary Pilon has discovered an enthralling story behind Monopoly, as much a history of our country as of its favorite game. She writes with the assurance and energy of a historian who knows she has struck gold." -Gay Talese, Mary Pilon's page-turning narrative unravels the innocent beginnings, the corporate shenanigans, and the big lie at the center of this iconic boxed board game., A deep dive into industrial and pop culture apocrypha . . . riveting . . . The book is superlative journalism., Thoroughly researched and deftly paced, this fascinating narrative is at once legal thriller, folk history, underdog story, and exposé of corporate greed, and deserves a wide readership among fans of Monopoly, critics of monopoly, and all who enjoy a good story well told., That history is interesting even if you don't love the game . . . The Monopolists is a quick, enjoyable read that takes less time than a game of Monopoly., Engaging . . . there is plenty in The Monopolists to hold one's interest--not least, tips on how to win at Monopoly . . . it passes Go., A legal, corporate and intellectual whodunit . . .The tale, like the game, becomes a parable for American capitalism, with powerful players stamping out competitors and fortunes being made or destroyed at the roll of the dice . . . anyone who grew up playing Monopoly will have a hard time resisting The Monopolists ., Briskly enlightening . . . [Pilon] has woven a plush, often humorous tapestry of board-game and social history. Even passages devoted to sick children during the Depression fail to deflate the book's buoyancy., "In The Monopolists , Ms. Pilon not only tells the strange and at times tragic story of the evolution of America's favorite board game-she also takes us on a jaunt through turn-of-the-century America, where we learn about such far-flung things as the origins of the price tag, the founding of Atlantic City, and the fact that one of the most coveted addresses in the game was home to some of the earliest gay bars in America. This is a must read for anyone who loves the game, and really, who doesn't?" -Erik Larson, author of Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts "What enormous fun this book is! Clever, engaging, finely crafted, and endlessly surprising-and revealing in passing much about the ghastliness of American corporate greed. Much like the game itself, indeed." -Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman (and many other bestselling books) "Mary Pilon has discovered an enthralling story behind Monopoly, as much a history of our country as of its favorite game. She writes with the assurance and energy of a historian who knows she has struck gold." -Gay Talese "America's toy chest is stuffed with games whose origins belie their shiny packaging and family-fun marketing-none more than Monopoly. Mary Pilon's page-turning narrative unravels the innocent beginnings, the corporate shenanigans, and the big lie at the center of this iconic boxed board game." -Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players "Thanks to Mary Pilon's meticulous reporting and mellifluous prose, we now know the real story of the corporate greed and relentless cover-up that scars Monopoly, one of the most beloved and successful board games of all time. Finally, the truth is out." -William D. Cohan, author of The Last Tycoons "With more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie mystery, reporter Pilon reveals the tumultuous history of Monopoly . . . More entertaining than the game itself." - Publishers Weekly , starred review "The book abounds with interesting tidbits for boardgame buffs but treats its subject seriously. After reading The Monopolists -part parable on the perils facing inventors, part legal odyssey, and part detective story-you'll never look at spry Mr. Monopoly in the same way again." - Booklist "Pilon invests this surprisingly contentious chronicle with a dynamic mix of journalistic knowledge and subtle wit . . . A fascinating, appealingly written history of an iconic American amusement." - Kirkus Reviews "Thoroughly researched and deftly paced, this fascinating narrative is at once legal thriller, folk history, underdog story, and exposé of corporate greed, and deserves a wide readership among fans of Monopoly, critics of monopoly, and all who enjoy a good story well told." - Library Journal "This past November, a New Hampshire woman was charged with domestic violence for slapping her boyfriend during a game [of Monopoly]. The British royal family, Prince Andrew said in 2008, isn't permitted to play it at home because 'it gets too vicious.' All of these people, and my own family, and anyone else who has threatened to eviscerate a loved one over their income-tax accounting, should be required to read Mary Pilon's enthralling new history of the long, pitched battle over the origins of the game." - Slate "[A] dive into the real Monopoly." - Flavorwire , "10 Must-Read Books for February", This past November, a New Hampshire woman was charged with domestic violence for slapping her boyfriend during a game [of Monopoly]. The British royal family, Prince Andrew said in 2008, isn't permitted to play it at home because 'it gets too vicious.' All of these people, and my own family, and anyone else who has threatened to eviscerate a loved one over their income-tax accounting, should be required to read Mary Pilon's enthralling new history of the long, pitched battle over the origins of the game., The true--and downright bizarre--origin story of one of the most popular games ever made . . . A brisk read, and the readability is considerably heightened throughout by the author's sense of outrage . . . Fascinating., "In The Monopolists , Ms. Pilon not only tells the strange and at times tragic story of the evolution of America's favorite board game-she also takes us on a jaunt through turn-of-the-century America, where we learn about such far-flung things as the origins of the price tag, the founding of Atlantic City, and the fact that one of the most coveted addresses in the game was home to some of the earliest gay bars in America. This is a must read for anyone who loves the game, and really, who doesn't?" -Erik Larson, author of Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts "What enormous fun this book is! Clever, engaging, finely crafted, and endlessly surprising-and revealing in passing much about the ghastliness of American corporate greed. Much like the game itself, indeed." -Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman (and many other bestselling books) "Mary Pilon has discovered an enthralling story behind Monopoly, as much a history of our country as of its favorite game. She writes with the assurance and energy of a historian who knows she has struck gold." -Gay Talese "America's toy chest is stuffed with games whose origins belie their shiny packaging and family-fun marketing-none more than Monopoly. Mary Pilon's page-turning narrative unravels the innocent beginnings, the corporate shenanigans, and the big lie at the center of this iconic boxed board game." -Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players "Thanks to Mary Pilon's meticulous reporting and mellifluous prose, we now know the real story of the corporate greed and relentless cover-up that scars Monopoly, one of the most beloved and successful board games of all time. Finally, the truth is out." -William D. Cohan, author of The Last Tycoons "With more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie mystery, reporter Pilon reveals the tumultuous history of Monopoly . . . More entertaining than the game itself." - Publishers Weekly , starred review "The book abounds with interesting tidbits for boardgame buffs but treats its subject seriously. After reading The Monopolists -part parable on the perils facing inventors, part legal odyssey, and part detective story-you'll never look at spry Mr. Monopoly in the same way again." - Booklist "Pilon invests this surprisingly contentious chronicle with a dynamic mix of journalistic knowledge and subtle wit . . . A fascinating, appealingly written history of an iconic American amusement." - Kirkus Reviews "Thoroughly researched and deftly paced, this fascinating narrative is at once legal thriller, folk history, underdog story, and exposé of corporate greed, and deserves a wide readership among fans of Monopoly, critics of monopoly, and all who enjoy a good story well told." - Library Journal

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Dewey Edition23

Dewey Decimal794

Synopsis"[A] fascinating history of one of the most popular and iconic American games, The Monopolists lucidly weaves together a multifaceted story . . . [that] builds to a riveting high-stakes showdown." --Los Angeles Times, The Monopolists reveals the unknown story of how Monopoly came into existence, the reinvention of its history by Parker Brothers and multiple media outlets, the lost female originator of the game, and one man's lifelong obsession to tell the true story about the game's questionable origins. Most think it was invented by an unemployed Pennsylvanian who sold his game to Parker Brothers during the Great Depression in 1935 and lived happily--and richly--ever after. That story, however, is not exactly true. Ralph Anspach, a professor fighting to sell his Anti-Monopoly board game decades later, unearthed the real story, which traces back to Abraham Lincoln, the Quakers, and a forgotten feminist named Lizzie Magie who invented her nearly identical Landlord's Game more than thirty years before Parker Brothers sold their version of Monopoly. Her game--underpinned by morals that were the exact opposite of what Monopoly represents today--was embraced by a constellation of left-wingers from the Progressive Era through the Great Depression, including members of Franklin Roosevelt's famed Brain Trust. A fascinating social history of corporate greed that illuminates the cutthroat nature of American business over the last century, The Monopolists reads like the best detective fiction, told through Monopoly's real-life winners and losers., With its origins rooted in one of the Wall Street Journal 's most emailed stories, The Monopolists is the inside story of how the game of Monopoly came into existence, the heavy embellishment of its provenance by Parker Brothers and multiple media outlets, the lost female originator of the game, and one man's lifelong obsession to tell the true story about the game's questionable origins...Most Americans who play Monopoly think it was invented by an unemployed Pennsylvania man who sold his game to Parker Brothers in 1935 and lived happily ever after on royalties. That story, however, is not exactly true...Ralph Anspach, an economist and refugee of Hitler's Danzig, unearthed the real story and it traces back to Abraham Lincoln, the Quakers, and to a forgotten feminist named Lizzie Magie. The Monopolists is in part Anspach's David-versus-Goliath tale of his 1970s battle against Parker Brothers, one of the most beloved companies of all time. Anspach was a professor fighting to sell his Anti-Monopoly board game, which hailed those who busted up trusts and monopolies instead of those who took control of all the properties. While he and his lawyers researched previous Parker Brothers lawsuits, he accidentally discovered the true history of the game, which began with Magie's Landlord's Game. That game was invented more than thirty years before Parker Brothers sold their version of Monopoly and she waged her own war with Parker Brothers to be credited as the real originator of the game. ..Ironically, the Landlord's Game, like Anti-Monopoly, was underpinned by morals that were the exact opposite of what Monopoly represents today. It isn't surprising that Magie's game was embraced by a constellation of left-wingers from the Progressive Era through the Great Depression, including members of Franklin Roosevelt's famed Brain Trust...More than just a book about board games, The Monopolists illuminates the cutthroat nature of American business over the last century--a social history of American corporate greed that reads like the best detective fiction, told through the real-life winners and losers in the Monopoly wars.

LC Classification NumberGV1469.M65P55 2015