This 267-page history of the world's games is divided into nine chapters plus appendices. A two-page table near the end summarizes the distribution of games in countries across both history and the globe. Murray categorizes games according to their general goals: "Games of Alinement and Configuration;" "War-Games;" "Hunt-Games;" "Race-Games;" and "Mancala" (four types). Each major category is sub-categorized further. The text richly describes multiple games in each category, offering ample black-and-white illustrations to help the reader visualize lesser-known games. Excellent book re-published by Oxbow Books in 2000 (ISBN-10 0-19-827401-7 -- ISBN-13: 978-0198274018), but once again out of print.

We may earn a small commission when you buy through these links.