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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.
moirwyn's review against another edition
3.0
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2016/05/03/the-empire-of-imagination-gary-gygax-and-the-birth-of-dungeons-dragons-by-michael-witwer/
Empire of Imagination: Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons is a stylized biography of the man behind the popular roleplaying game known as DND. (You can blame him when I decline Thursday night happy hours because my hipster cleric is trying to save the princess, rescue townsfolk, and convert all the ogres of Rokugan.)
Despite having played Dungeons & Dragons for several years now, my knowledge of Gygax’s life was sorely lacking. Empire of Imagination tells the story behind the story, and the story behind all of the stories that players create on a daily basis.
Ernest Gary Gygax was born to an working class immigrant family in Chicago, but grew up in the idyllic small town of Lake Geneva. Empire of Imagination begins with Gary’s childhood adventures, inspired by Robert E. Howard and similar authors of pulp fiction, and then progresses to his marriage, early career, and burgeoning role in the gaming community. He was an artist and a dreamer rather than a businessman, which led to troubled relationships and financial woes even as his games rose in popularity. This nature was both a bug and a feature, leading to both is greatest creations and his biggest failures.
The book opens as Gary is about to lose control of TSR, the company he founded to produce Dungeons & Dragons. Then it flashes back to the main body of the story. Between each chapter, there’s a stylized section that’s narrated as if it were part of a game of DnD, as the DM (here, a metaphor for God, fate, or what have you) throws new obstacles into Sir Egary’s path. Sir Egary reacts and casts his dice, paralleling the way that Gary navigates the troubles found in his own life. I love it when authors do creative things with literary form, especially in nonfiction, and so I found this structure intriguing, if not a little cliche. *rolls d20 to determine what aspect of the book to talk about next*
Even though this biography is stylized and told through vignettes based upon source material, the characters don’t jump off the page and aren’t fully fleshed out. It sticks very clearly to what happens, not necessarily the whys and the hows of interpersonal relationships. The book hints, but it doesn’t take the extra step and dive deep. For example, the book largely glosses over Gary’s marital troubles, stating the bare minimum to convey the big changes in their relationship rather than extrapolating upon the progression of the relationship’s deterioration. Gary’s wife didn’t feel like a complete character, and didn’t seem to have agency until the couple split. I felt as if some of the stylization made the book feel like a weak novel rather than a strong biography, but was able to forgive it because I do welcome experimental writing.
Even though I felt like the interpersonal relationships in the book were not fully explored or developed, Witwer has a knack for understanding and conveying corporate shenanigans that’s easy to understand even for audiences who aren’t so heavily involved in the business world (much like Gary himself).
Overall, I’m glad that I read Empire of Imagination, and would recommend it to anyone who wanted to learn more about Gygax’s life. It’s not the greatest biography I’ve ever read, but it’s an insight into the creator of DnD, and for that I will gladly forgive its flaws.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2016/05/03/the-empire-of-imagination-gary-gygax-and-the-birth-of-dungeons-dragons-by-michael-witwer/
Empire of Imagination: Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons is a stylized biography of the man behind the popular roleplaying game known as DND. (You can blame him when I decline Thursday night happy hours because my hipster cleric is trying to save the princess, rescue townsfolk, and convert all the ogres of Rokugan.)
Despite having played Dungeons & Dragons for several years now, my knowledge of Gygax’s life was sorely lacking. Empire of Imagination tells the story behind the story, and the story behind all of the stories that players create on a daily basis.
Ernest Gary Gygax was born to an working class immigrant family in Chicago, but grew up in the idyllic small town of Lake Geneva. Empire of Imagination begins with Gary’s childhood adventures, inspired by Robert E. Howard and similar authors of pulp fiction, and then progresses to his marriage, early career, and burgeoning role in the gaming community. He was an artist and a dreamer rather than a businessman, which led to troubled relationships and financial woes even as his games rose in popularity. This nature was both a bug and a feature, leading to both is greatest creations and his biggest failures.
The book opens as Gary is about to lose control of TSR, the company he founded to produce Dungeons & Dragons. Then it flashes back to the main body of the story. Between each chapter, there’s a stylized section that’s narrated as if it were part of a game of DnD, as the DM (here, a metaphor for God, fate, or what have you) throws new obstacles into Sir Egary’s path. Sir Egary reacts and casts his dice, paralleling the way that Gary navigates the troubles found in his own life. I love it when authors do creative things with literary form, especially in nonfiction, and so I found this structure intriguing, if not a little cliche. *rolls d20 to determine what aspect of the book to talk about next*
Even though this biography is stylized and told through vignettes based upon source material, the characters don’t jump off the page and aren’t fully fleshed out. It sticks very clearly to what happens, not necessarily the whys and the hows of interpersonal relationships. The book hints, but it doesn’t take the extra step and dive deep. For example, the book largely glosses over Gary’s marital troubles, stating the bare minimum to convey the big changes in their relationship rather than extrapolating upon the progression of the relationship’s deterioration. Gary’s wife didn’t feel like a complete character, and didn’t seem to have agency until the couple split. I felt as if some of the stylization made the book feel like a weak novel rather than a strong biography, but was able to forgive it because I do welcome experimental writing.
Even though I felt like the interpersonal relationships in the book were not fully explored or developed, Witwer has a knack for understanding and conveying corporate shenanigans that’s easy to understand even for audiences who aren’t so heavily involved in the business world (much like Gary himself).
Overall, I’m glad that I read Empire of Imagination, and would recommend it to anyone who wanted to learn more about Gygax’s life. It’s not the greatest biography I’ve ever read, but it’s an insight into the creator of DnD, and for that I will gladly forgive its flaws.
solostand's review against another edition
5.0
Unusual semi-fictionalized biography made in a really good taste/pace. While author filled the gaps with his own imagination, so a lot of things are probably not accurate, it is definitely a fun reading.
kavinay's review against another edition
3.0
A bit of a rosy look at Gygax's life and career. Not a bad book, but the interesting bits are details about Gary's non D&D life, like the fact he loved chess and the Chicago Bears. The issues with Dave Arneson and even the conflicts within TSR aren't covered that deeply, in large part because we get mostly Gary's point of view.
myc_w's review against another edition
2.0
A completely fine book about Gygax, though there are some interesting choices made by Witwer. For instance, Empire of Imagination is not a biography, so much as a series of factionalized vignettes retold as if they were representing biographical stories. It’s more of an “inspired by” dramedy, one that would make for an interesting TV series with semibiographical characters, but doesn’t make for a great actual biography. There appear to be noticeable issues of bias throughout the book—this is clearly Gygax’s story, and so it takes his position. And while this lionizing of Gygax is well-written, it also often leaves out important facts, issues, and voices that would have more fully told the story of both Gygax and D&D. But that was not the story Witwer wanted to tell.
Overall, this is a light, easy to read story that gives some of the facts and creates a narrative to fill in the rest. It’s absolutely fine, but if you’re looking for a true biography of Gygax, I’d look somewhere else.
Overall, this is a light, easy to read story that gives some of the facts and creates a narrative to fill in the rest. It’s absolutely fine, but if you’re looking for a true biography of Gygax, I’d look somewhere else.