The Game Changers: How Playing Games Changed the World and Can Change You Too
(Tim Clare. Canongate, £26.99)
Click the image to see this book on Amazon (affiliate link)
Despite the relative paucity of immediately obvious National Curriculum links, teachers will find several of sections of this book to be highly engaging.
First, there’s the veritable plethora of different games, many of which will likely be unfamiliar to the general reader.
Secondly, there’s the range of uses to which said games can be put – including divination, making judgements and, naturally, plain old enjoyment.
Finally, there’s the learning to be had from exploring the sometimes disagreeable history of said games.
More broadly, the book tells a historical story of (usually) friendly rivalries, productive co-operation and shrewd strategies, providing plenty of potentially useful material for PSHE classroom discussions and introductions to economics.
Who knows – reading about the variety of games here may even encourage the invention of a few more newer ones...
Reviewed by Terry Freedman