The Immortal Game: A History of Chess

"The Immortal Game: A History of Chess, or How 32 Carved Pieces on a Board Illum" on Google Video

GOOD MORNING AMERICA - Monday, September 4th, 10:45 a.m. EST

An interview with Mr. David Shenk about his new book, as well as the connections with chess and aging and Alzheimer's Disease, children learning chess at a relatively young age, and an interesting anecdote about chess in his own family history! An entertaining interview!

David Shenk's new book, The Immortal Game, discusses chess history from varying realms of the human mind. Throughout the book, the author weaves in an out a game titled "The Immortal Game" played between Adolf Anderssen and Lionel Kierseritzky in London, 1851. This is the first time a non-chessplayer attempted to write a most enticing and informative account of the game. No other chess history book (written for the general reader) relies on some of the world's prestigious researchers for historical analysis. Not only is it intended for the general reader but David adds a little personal touch to the book which later on one will find out that an ancestor of his was a well-known chess master! From Caliph Muhammad al-Amin of the Abbasid Empire to Marcel Duchamp to war and Garry Kasparov and computers, psychology and Artificial Intelligence, Mr. Shenk, no doubt has offered a well-written book that can be enjoyed by everyone. Towards the end, the author includes a Coda quotes his sources with notes, Appendix I, II, & III, includes a nice bibliography and an acknowledgement section. For only $17.16 (Amazon) it doesn't get any better than this!

Reviews

"Shenk, a spry writer . . . [offers] a strong case for the game's bewitching power."-- The New York Times

"A thrilling tour . . . an engaging, colorful look at a world that blissfully remains black-and-white."-- Entertainment Weekly

"Fresh and fascinating...a world-spanning story [Shenk] relates with skill and verve."-- Chicago Sun-Times

"Fascinating . . . [Shenk] writes about chess history with contagious zest."-- Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Shenk weaves a masterful tale that all readers can enjoy, no matter how little they know about chess."-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Fun, factual, and a good read . . . Not a reference book to be stored on a shelf [but] a book to be read and enjoyed, and even read again . . . buy this book!"-- Chess Life magazine

"Besides detailing chess's broader social significance, Shenk brings it to life with tales of its personal impact . . . Shenk's passion will leave readers yearning to play."-- Fast Company

"A globe-spanning, brain-stretching social history . . . Shenk's curiosity equips the reader to look at a board of chess pieces and understand what got them there and the endless places they could go."-- Paste Magazine

Value 10/10
Accurate 9/10
Orignality 10/10
Overall 9.9/10

Recommend it? Yes

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: DoubleDay (September 5, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0385510101