We Are Not Saved Game Wizards - Epic Rap Battles of History Gygax v. Arneson
Gary Gygax (Grognard 13/Writer 10/Businessman 2) vs. Dave Arneson (Plaintiff 14/Storyteller 9/Writer 1)
Game Wizards: The Epic Battle for Dungeons & Dragons
By: Jon Peterson Published: 2021 400 Pages
Briefly, what is this book about?
The history of Dungeons and Dragons, TSR's meteoric rise, the fights that inevitably happen when something becomes enormously successful, and the catastrophes that follow when people are in way over their head.
What's the author's angle?
Peterson is the man when it comes to the history of RPGs and D&D in particular. He's basically a historian, and he has no dog in any of the fights.
Who should read this book?
I really liked this book, and I really liked everything I've read by Peterson. That said, I might recommend the podcast When We Were Wizards, as an easier entry point for people interested in the story. And of course if you have no interest in the battle between Arneson and Gygax or the crazy initial years of D&D, I would not recommend either.
Specific thoughts: Gygax was a jerk, and he was dumb, but he also deserves 90% of the credit for D&D.