Book Review – It’s All a Game – Tristan Donovan

Ever wonder where the word “Scrabble” came from? What inspired the creation of Risk? Or why Trivial Pursuit became such a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s? Tristan Donovan dives into all these questions and more in It’s All A Game (2017, Atlantic Books), a fascinating journey through the history and cultural significance of board games.

Donovan explores a wide array of the world’s favorite games, from ancient classics like Backgammon to family favorites like Mouse Trap. Each chapter focuses on the history and relevance of a specific game or a broader concept in the board gaming world. His writing is engaging and accessible, making each chapter feel like a casual, insightful conversation about the games we love.

One of the book’s strengths is how it uncovers the deeper themes behind our love for games. Donovan traces this fascination back to ancient times, examining games like the Egyptian Senet and the Royal Game of Ur, discovered in the cemetery of the ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur, founded around 4000 BC. From these origins, he shows how games have reflected and influenced human culture for millennia.

For instance, Donovan uses The Game of Life to illustrate shifting social values in North America. Originally designed in 1860 to promote moral values in a Puritan society, it notably avoided dice—then associated with gambling—by using a spinner. Over time, the game evolved into a race to accumulate wealth, with players making choices about college, career, family, and philanthropy along the way. Through this evolution, we see how games can mirror societal changes.

Donovan also covers broader topics such as how games like Risk and Kriegsspiel were used to simulate warfare, or how classic games have played a role in the development of artificial intelligence—a particularly timely theme in the 21st century. His book is full of quirky trivia and fun facts that will delight any game enthusiast.

It’s All A Game is both entertaining and informative—a must-read for any board game aficionado. It would also make a fantastic book club pick, especially for groups looking to blend intellectual discussion with a touch of playful fun. Who knows? After reading, you might even inspire your club to break out Ticket to Ride or Settlers of Catan for a game night!