Even if you’ve never played Dungeons & Dragons, you probably know someone who has: The game has had a profound influence on our culture. Released in 1974 —decades before the Internet and social media— Dungeons & Dragons inspired one of the original nerd subcultures, and is still revered by over thirty million fans. Now, the authoritative history and magic of the game is revealed by a respected journalist and life-long player.

From its origins on the battlefields of ancient Europe, through the hysteria that linked it to satanic rituals and teen suicides, and to its apotheosis as father of the modern video game industry, Of Dice and Men recounts the development of a game played by some of most fascinating people in the world. Chronicling the surprising history of D&D’s origins (one largely unknown even to hardcore players) while examining the game’s profound impact, author David M. Ewalt weaves laser-sharp subculture analysis with his own present-day gaming experiences. An enticing blend of history, journalism, narrative and memoir, Of Dice and Men sheds light on America’s most popular (and widely misunderstood) form of collaborative entertainment.

David M. Ewalt is an award-winning journalist, currently a senior editor at Forbes Magazine. He writes about games, technology and geeky stuff at his blog, Metagamer.