Here's the perfect how-to-book for people who not only love board games but also enjoy recreating the original boards and playing pieces. Written by two educators and specialists in the history of childhood games, this engaging and instructive volume describes a treasure chest of popular amusements — both ancient and modern. Fascinating historical background is provided for each game — a number of which can be enjoyed by youngsters under the age of ten. Games range from some of the world's oldest contents of strategy — including one played over 7,000 years ago in Asia and Africa — to nineteenth-century games that taught morals, natural sciences and other disciplines. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, along with over 300 helpful illustrations, explain how to create boards and playing pieces from paper and cardboard. A fact-filled introduction includes a useful lexicon of game terminology, rules of gamesmanship, suggested strategies, a list of tools and supplies, and much else.