Americanopoly: America as Seen Through Its Games. La-Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland: Musée Suisse du Jeu (Swiss Museum of Games), 2004. A history of America as viewed by the games it produced. Chronological entries and timeline, along with thematic chapters on such areas as Social Issues, Ethnic Games, Sports, Television, Politics and so on. Contains details about the larger U.S. game manufacturers, and links between U.S. and European games. Text is in English, French and German.
Americanopoly—America as Seen Through its Games is the latest book by games historian and researcher Bruce Whitehill, whose first work, Games: American Games and Their Makers, 1822-1992, was considered the benchmark in its field. Americanopoly shows the history of the United States from the 1840s through the present using commercially manufactured American games to tell the story.
The book highlights those American games that have gained popularity worldwide, and explains the effect the U.S. industry has had on the games of Europe, especially Germany. In contrast, Americanopoly examines the games of England, Germany, India, and Africa that have had an influence on American games. The book also showcases thirteen themes, showing distinctively American games depicting United States’ politics, films and television, social issues, ethnic diversity, advertising, finance, sports & leisure, pop culture, and other aspects of American lilfe.
Americanopoly begins with a world overview of games. Then it is divided primarily into three sections: the beginning of the games industry in the 19th century, the growth of the industry during the 20th century, and the games that reflect 160 years of American culture. Americanopoly compares the U.S. and Europe in both its game manufacturing and game playing culture of today, and provides a brief bibliography of the best books that explore games as tools to history and culture.
With exceptional photographs throughout, Americanopoly shows games as art, as well as functional tools for education, instruction, communication, and recreation.
Americanopoly—America as Seen Through its Games was inspired by the author’s exhibit of American games at the Swiss Museum of Games (Musée Suisse du Jeu) in La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland (www.museedujeu.com). The special exhibition was on view through February, 2005.
About the Author
Mr. Whitehill, known as “The Big Game Hunter,” is the former associate editor and former senior editor, respectively, of “Games Games Games” (England) and “Games Annual,” and is the editor of the “All in the Game” newsletter (www.thebiggamehunter.com). He is also a game reviewer and feature writer for Parents’ Choice magazine (www.parentschoice.org), and is one of twelve people chosen to serve on the National Selection Committee for the National Toy Hall of Fame. During the past twenty years, in addition to his books, Mr. Whitehill has written over 100 articles on games, play, and society.
Specifications: Americanopoly–A View of America Through its Games by Bruce Whitehill; Swiss Museum of Games, 2004. Soft-cover, 132 pages, in English, French, and German; 8.25” square; over 110 color photos, including extreme close-ups of game box images.
For more information, “Leave a Comment” below. The book will be shipped from Germany..
The book (signed) is available from the author for 20 € or $26 plus shipping (shipped from Germany), and is also available (unsigned) for 24 CHF (Swiss francs) or the euro equivalent at the Musée Suisse du Jeu in La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland, or by mail order from the museum; email info@museedujeu.com.
