Synopsis
Dive into this vibrantly illustrated history of everything humans have invented to entertain ourselves, from Chess and Nintendo to Drag Queen Story Hour and Burning Man.
In The Book of Fun, Polygon co-founder Russ Frushtick divulges the hidden backstories and fascinating facts about your favorite video games, theme parks, festivals, sports, and more. With 80+ digestible, entertaining entries, it's not just fodder for your next dinner party -- you might also discover your next great pastime, be it jousting, stunt acting, cheese rolling, or Swedish Bunny Hopping.
For fans of pop-history, pop-science, and the many things mankind has invented to waste time, The Book of Fun explores:
- Board Games: The world's oldest tabletop games (Senet, Go, Chess) and its most enduringly popular (Monopoly, Dungeons & Dragons, Settlers of Catan)
- Toys: The history of your favorite playthings, like Barbie, Beanie Babies, Slinky, Furby, and LEGO
- Video Games: The console wars of the '90s, the birth of game streaming, and unexpected Pokémon Go consequences
- Theme Parks: Stories behind Coney Island's Cyclone, Disneyland's opening-day woes, and the bizarre parks built in a nuclear power plant and a Soviet bunker
- Sports: The most fascinating athletic endeavors across the globe, from gladiatorial battles to Lucha Libre, pumpkin boat racing, and sumo wrestling
- Stunts: Harry Houdini, Evel Knievel, Jackie Chan, and the incredible stunt artists you may not know
- Festivals: From Carnival celebrations around the world to the stories of Woodstock, Burning Man, and a Spanish baby-jumping festival
- Dressing Up: The origins of jesters, Halloween, cosplay, drag queen style, and more
- Roadside Attractions: Wacky spectacles like the 65-foot-tall Lucy the Elephant in New Jersey, the Mystery Hole in West Virginia, and the Cabazon Dinosaurs in California
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Russ Frushtick is the co-founder of Vox Media’s games vertical Polygon. He has covered video games and technology for over a decade, writing for The New York Times, Edge Magazine and The Verge.
Sonny Ross is a freelance Illustrator based in the UK whose clients include The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Google, Polygon, and many others.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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The Book of Fun: An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: Goodwill of Colorado, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: very_good. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). This item shows limited signs of wear overall with minor scuffs or cosmetic blemishes. No curled corners, bent covers or damage to dust jackets. No highlighting writing in pages. Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and or active. Please note that all items are donated goods and are in used condition. Orders shipped Monday through Friday! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you! Seller Inventory # 466XBX001O51
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The Book of Fun: An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00092107153
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The Book of Fun: An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: ZBK Books, Carlstadt, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: acceptable. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). Fast & Free Shipping â" A well-used but reliable copy with all text fully readable. Pages and cover remain intact, though wear such as notes, highlighting, bends, or library marks may be present. Supplemental items like CDs or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # ZWV.0762480483.A
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The Book of Fun: An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: As New. No Jacket. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). Pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0762480483I2N00
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The Book of Fun: An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0762480483I4N10
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The Book of Fun : An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 51273382-6
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The Book of Fun : An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 51273382-6
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The Book of Fun : An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 48261413-6
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The Book of Fun: An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: Bookoutlet1, Easley, SC, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). Great shape! Has a publisher remainder mark. hardcover Used - Very Good 2022. Seller Inventory # IM-10046413
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The Book of Fun: An Illustrated History of Having a Good Time
Seller: Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee and Chicago, Racine, WI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: good. Ross, Sonny (illustrator). Book is considered to be in good or better condition. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo. Hard cover books may show signs of wear on the spine, cover or dust jacket. Paperback book may show signs of wear on spine or cover as well as having a slight bend, curve or creasing to it. Book should have minimal to no writing inside and no highlighting. Pages should be free of tears or creasing. Stickers should not be present on cover or elsewhere, and any CD or DVD expected with the book is included. Book is not a former library copy. Seller Inventory # SEWV.0762480483.G