The Definitive Look at How Dungeons & Dragons Was Made

Dungeons & Dragons is a beloved hobby, a pop culture juggernaut, and one of the most influential games in the world. But where did it begin? How was it conceived? And what did early fans see firsthand in this game, which spawned an entire genre of hobby entertainment?

The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons: 1970-1977 is a trove of unpublished historical artifacts and first printings that illustrate D&D's history. Gary Gygax's never-before-seen first draft of D&D is inside, along with the earliest published writings that became the iconic original D&D boxed set and supplements. Each document is introduced and woven into the story by one of the game's foremost historians, Jon Peterson.

Lifelong D&D fans, casual gamers, and anyone who's ever entrusted their fate to the roll of a twenty-sided die will be riveted by this behind-the-scenes look at the inception of the World's Greatest Roleplaying Game.

Inside, you'll discover:

• The first draft of Dungeons & Dragons published for the first time, with hand-written corrections by cocreators Dve Arneson and Gary Gygax.

• Background information, rules, and session notes from Blackmoor, Arneson's personal D&D campaign.

• Personal correspondence between Gygax and Arneson

• The first prinitng of the original D&D box set and three supplements - Greyhawk, Blackmoor, and Eldritch Wizardry - including handwritten notes by TSR staff.

• Early fan contributions to D&D, including the first appearance of the bard, illusionist, and ranger.

• And so much more!

Hardcover