Throwing the Book at Video Gaming

When it comes down to it, there aren't many books about the video game industry.

Of those available, only a select few cover it in terms that avid players can enjoy. David Sheff's Game Over is regarded by many as the must-read bible to the video game industry, although it covers a lot more of the business aspects of the industry.

But if it's the history of the games themselves you're interested in, the choices are few. That's where the second edition of Leonard Herman's Phoenix: The Rise and Fall of Home Video Games comes in. The book is a year-by-year history of what games, systems, and events shaped the industry since the early days.

The second edition of this guide weighs in at just over 300 pages, complete with black and white pictures of the dinosaurs that formed today's 32- and 64-bit systems. If you're new to the hobby and don't know what an Intellivision or 2600 are, you need to pick up this book. This is the most comprehensive history of gaming currently available.

The book can be purchased or special ordered from most bookstores.

Rolenta Press's web site has ordering information for the book.