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The Immortal Game: A History of Chess
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Customer Reviews
Rating:  - Awesome Book!!!
For anyone that enjoys, likes, or loves the game of Chess, THIS IS A MUST READ. It provide a full history and evolution of Chess while walking you through one of the most famous games of Chess.
Rating: - Detailing the Game of Kings
This book was excellent in detailing the development of the ancient game of chess. It begins with ancient Persian roots as a Islamic game which traveled throughout the known world influencing kings and countries. The book is more than a history lesson, it is a lesson into the dynamic effect of chess on culture, science, and human reasoning. The history is told through interesting anecdotes. Throughout the book, the author details the moves of the "immortal game." This is one of the most famous games in history. It was a 1800's century battle of tactics. It was the romantic style of chess perfected. The book details the four historic periods of chess and the style of play in each. Also, the book quickly highlights some of the movement changing players throughout history. This book was an excellent read for those who love this "game of kings."
Rating: - A Windfall
This review is given of a book I havn't finished. Hoever I have gone a long way through and like what I have found.
This is the book I always thought, "interesting but I have a lot to read." I was also disappointed because I thought from the review on the jacket that it was about chess in general instead of the famous game.
Well, as I found when I got it on my Kindle it was both. It traces the history of Chess through the ages. It also gives an in-depth study of the famous Immortal Game(a notable game played between two masters in a London Gentleman's Club), with illustrations and analysis of every move, which is great as I simply don't have the gift of making a mind picture out of notation. The book is written in an engaging style and gives charming anecdotes. It is not written in a the style of a typical chess manuel but in a way an average reader can comprehend and enjoy.
The book is slightly flawed as regards general history. The distinction between the Middle Ages and the Renaisance was exagerrated. And Islam did not come anywhere near eliminating tribal feuding from Islamic countries except for a brief time. And the amount of Ancient knowledge that was transmuted via Islam, as opposed to Byzantium is also exaggerated(a better way to look at it is that increased contact between Northern Europe and the Meditteranean rim as a whole brought advances in Northern lands). Those however are minor points. And are matters of historical disputation anyway. All that is irrelevant. What the book gives, a rich tapestry of the lore of the Game of Kings is what makes the book worth reading.
The book, on the whole is just what I wanted. A history of chess and chess folklore written in a charming manner. I love the type of book that traces the history and legends surrounding some particular commodity or item and have been wanting something about chess for a long time. In short this book was a great windfall.
Rating:  - it got me back to playing chess
I met the author briefly recently (he lives not far from my apartment in Brooklyn), and he gave me a copy of this book. I have to admit that I hadn't played chess in years until I started reading The Immortal Game. I really appreciated David's mix of personal anecdotes (his grandmother's grandfather, Samuel Rosenthal, was one of the greatest players of the late 19th century), history, and technical commentary. His move-by-move rendition of the famous "immortal game" that gives the title to the book is anything but boring, and it ain't easy to make the recounting of a chess game a page turner! You definitely don't need to be an aficionado to appreciate this book, or the game itself.
Rating: - It's more than just a game...
An easy and enticing read on the roots, history, and impact of chess throughout the centuries. It is not a strategy guide, nor will it teach you any opening or closing strategies, but it will, more likely than not, make you want to pick up the board and play a few games. As an amateur player, I found David Shenk's writing refreshing and enticing - chess is well known for being a very hard game to get good at. Being an active practitioner of the 'Romantic' school (very little directed strategy, and focus on the element of surprise, cleverness, and well, fun), I now have a perspective on the evolution of the game, its impact, and a newfound enthusiasm for learning more about it. Great read.
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