Game Of Life

by Lou Harry

Geared toward the graduate and others about to embark on new adventures, this upbeat, practical guide is based on the classic Hasbro game, invented in 1959. Thoughts, questions, advice, axioms, and anecdotes draw from the board game's spaces, such as Rent Apartment, Pay Day, and Mid-Life. (Pay Day advice: The trick is to treat your pay day not as a barometer of your success. Lao-Tzu said, 'When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.' Just don't let that contentedness keep you from asking for a raise when the time comes.) Author Lou Harry also expores the rich history of The Game of Life, now part of the Smithsonian's permanent collections, and its impact on pop culture.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be completely honest and admit it: I only picked up this book because of the title; The Game of Life is my favorite boardgame. I had no expectations of the book other than I hoped it brought back a sense of nostaglia for playing games with my family, and I was not disappointed.

I loved how Harry divided the sections in the book by Life space and I think he did a good job of tying in the event to things that may actually happen in the course of your lifetime (though I agree, some of the spaces, i.e. Win Nobel Prize, were a bit of a stretch). Harry has a quirky sense of humor and I found myself laughing out loud at his interjections and side notes throughout the book.

"The Game of Life" was a quick read and I enjoyed it, but I didn't think about it when I put it down and I don't think I gained any pertinent or useful knowledge, so I can only give it 3 stars.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Not a deep long read, but really simplified life and offers some deep truths.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

fair, trite