An illustrated guide to the history and evolution of the beloved role-playing game told through the paintings, sketches, illustrations, and visual ephemera behind its creation, growth, and continued popularity.
Michael Witwer is a bestselling author known for his work on the
Hugo-nominated Dungeons & Dragons- Art & Arcana, the critically
acclaimed Empire of Imagination- Gary Gygax and the Birth of
Dungeons & Dragons, and Heroes' Feast- The Official Dungeons &
Dragons Cookbook. Widely considered an expert on D&D history,
Michael has spoken on the topic at a variety of venues such as
Google, Pixar, Lucasfilm, top gaming conventions and book
festivals, and on NPR's All Things Considered. His books have won
many honors, including being selected as a Hugo Award finalist, an
Amazon "Best Book of the Month," a Diana Jones Award nominee, a
Locus Award finalist, and a GeekDad "Best Book of the Year."
Kyle Newmanis a writer/director whose directorial work
includesFanboyswritten by Ernie Cline, starring Kristen Bell and
Seth Rogen;Barely Lethal,starringSamuel L. Jackson,HaileeSteinfeld,
andJessica Alba; and music videos for artists includingLana Del Rey
andTaylor Swift.Newman alsoproducedthe critically acclaimed
documentaryRaiders- The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever
Made.Hisclients include Microsoft,InterscopeRecords, Starz, Coca
Cola,Entertainment Weekly, andLucasfilm.
Jon Petersonis a widely recognized authority on the history of
games. His book Playing at the World was called "the first serious
history of the development of Dungeons & Dragons" by The Village
Voice. He has contributed to academic anthologies on games
including Zones of Control and the forthcoming Role-playing Game
Studies- Transmedia Foundations. Jon also writes for gaming and
geek culture websites including BoingBoing, the Escapist, and
GamaSutra, as well as his popular RPG history blog,
playingattheworld.blogspot.com.
Sam Witweris an actor whose work includes leading roles in the SyFy
series Being Human, for which he was nominated for a Gemini Award,
and the Star Wars Saga, where he brings various characters to life
in video games, film, and television-including an Emmy-nominated
performance as the voice of Darth Maul. He has also been featured
on Once Upon a Time, Smallville, Battlestar Galactica, Stephen
King's The Mist, and Dexter. He has been an avid Dungeons & Dragons
player since age 11.
“This tome invites the reader through every stage of the evolution
of this wonderful game, engaging with incredible art, enlightening
photos, and insightful anecdotes that both inform and inspire.
Whether you got to experience the birth of DUNGEONS &
DRAGONS and want to relive that origin spark, or are new to
the community and would love to adventure through the visual
chronicle of its past, present, and future... I cannot recommend
this book enough.”
—Matthew Mercer, Dungeon Master of Critical Role
“This is the most comprehensive, mind-blowing visual history ever
created about DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. Beyond the iconic artwork
featured on nearly every page, the book actually serves as a
complete history of the entire D&D universe. Both
fans of the game and newcomers will be completely blown away by the
countless hours of research and passion put into this book. There’s
truly nothing else out there like it.”
—Adam F. Goldberg, creator of The Goldbergs
“This is the definitive collection of DUNGEONS &
DRAGONS artwork we’ve been waiting for all of our lives! The
images contained in this book will instantly transport you back to
your childhood, and conjure up memories of long forgotten
adventures shared with old friends around the gaming table. This
tome is an essential addition to every
lifelong D&D fan's home library. Buy a copy right
now—or make me a saving throw versus Death Magic!”
—Ernie Cline, author of Ready Player One
“DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has shaped the imaginations of millions
around the world since its conception. This visual exploration
delving into where it all began is a must-read for both
dedicated veterans and new enthusiasts alike. A passionate homage
from the biggest fans in the industry!”
—Maude Garrett, TV, radio, and online host and founder of Geek
Bomb
“I grew up during the early days of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, and it’s
been decades since I’ve seen the wonders that enthralled me during
that magical time. At last, familiar treasures from the depths of
the vault are here. They can make you cry depending on how deep you
went. This is an incredible tome of power."
—John Romero, co-creator of DOOM
“This is a time machine. Poring over these images forty years after
I first held the Basic Set in my hands, I’m overwhelmed
by the same ineffable feelings I had back in
1977. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS unlocked something in my twelve
year old brain—an exhilarating sense of possibility—that set
my future course as a game designer and writer. This book inspires
me all over again"
—Amy Hennig, creator of the Uncharted series
“This fascinating deep dive into the world of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
will thrill both the connoisseur of role-playing games, as well as
anyone interested in visual histories. I found so much information
to inspire daydreams for months. I can’t wait to add this to my
library of all things geeky.”
—Deborah Ann Woll, actor and D&D enthusiast
"This tome of awesomeness [...] You can only begin to imagine
the amounts of hours that this team of top notch authors poured
into this. They gained unparalleled access to the archives of
Wizards of the Coast and the personal collection of some of the top
collectors. Needless to say this book will detail and illustrate
the long and wonderful journey of Dungeons and Dragons from its
humble beginnings to the cult status it obtained to this
day. This has never been achieved in a book before making it
the must-have D&D collectible."
—Fabienne Payet, Outright Geekery
“In the early 1980s, I spent lots of time working and gaming
with D&D co-creator Gary Gygax during his ‘lost Los
Angeles period;’ I went on to work closely with TSR until its end.
For me, this is more than a book. It’s a time machine back to
a fantastic, fabulous time when anything was possible. For anyone
who wants to understand the pure magic of D&D and where it came
from, get this book at all costs.”
—Flint Dille, Screenwriter/Game Designer
"Can’t give a higher recommendation than the highest for this
amazing book! I’ve seen the preview and I was blown away page after
Page! GET THIS BOOK!"
—Stefan Pokorny, Founder and CEO of Dwarven Forge
“This book is an exotic, magical, and fun trip into the world
of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS whether you’ve ever held a
twelve-sided die or not.”
—James Gunn, writer-director of the Guardians of the
Galaxy movie series
“This is no simple art book. Authors Michael Witwer, Kyle Newman,
Jon Petersen, and Sam Witwer have combined their lifetimes of love
and experience with DUNGEONS & DRAGONS to create a
comprehensive history of both the role-playing game and its
legendary creators… The visual history does, of course, include all
artwork you’ve dreamed of.”
—Kelly Knox, Nerdist
“With over 400 pages, Art and Arcana is the most
comprehensive D&D history you will find anywhere. Like a
treasure-filled cavern, it's packed (and we mean PACKED) with
enough facts, quotes, images, and behind-the-scenes
anecdotes to choke a fully grown Demogorgon.”
—Josh Weiss, SyFy.com
"It's incredible . . . this thing is a gateway into another
dimension.”
—Boing Boing
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