The Monopoly Book: Strategy and Tactics of the World's Most Popular Game

by Maxine Brady

One of the principal functions of this book is to explain and clarify the rules of Monopoly, and show how to avoid some of the obstacles that get in the way of just playing the game. It also catalogs some of the many strategies that operate during a good game, but which most players seem unconscious of, even when they themselves are using the strategies to excellent advantage. Monopoly is not merely a game of chance. There are definite techniques by which you can improve your chances of winning.

Genres: Nonfiction, Games, History, Reference

Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Laura T]

Working on my monopoly game. go read The Search for Marvin Gardens by John McPhee

[Thomas Kenney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book about Americana is in some ways itself a slice of Americana. Written in the seventies, you can catch some fun allusions to a planned manned mission to Mars, hyperinflation, etc.

Also interesting to note some of the historic game design analysis surrounding Monopoly that continues to be relevant today. For example, that a game that strikes the right balance of luck and skill has staying power as the winner can congratulate herself on her skill, while the loser can blame his poor luck

[renping · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in my Patrick Bateman business major girlboss era

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah the game of games

Everyone knows the rules until someone reads them and surprises them. I never notice selling buildings or property until it is too late.
We all form strategy patterns and quirks early in the game. The main strategy is not to make any mistakes and to take advantage of others' faux pas.
Well I learned early on it is a good idea to purchase a book that helps one look at what they already know but from a different angle. This is the book. It goes into detail better than just reading the rules, and taking chance cards. The strategy and tactics come in handy when you are up against the pros.
The book is divided into sections:
1. Monopolia Curiosa
2. Understanding the rules
3. Strategy and Tactics
4. Epilogue: How to deal with Tantrums
It can't hurt to get the opinion of Maxine Brady

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My secret weapon for being the Monopoly queen as a kid :)

[Samantha von Delvaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monopoly is my favorite game, but the rules are beyond vague. So many house rules felt legal. Needless to say as someone who likes to keep original rules in place this is a great guide to explain the rules as the game was meant to be played.

[Hava · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sister gave this book to me to return to the library, and I picked it up and read it instead. :) It was interesting, and I certainly learned a lot, but it's not a book meant to be read from beginning to end, that's for sure. The author repeats herself quite a few times, sometimes on the same page - I'm guessing that she was trying to write it as a cross between a reference book and a sit-down-and-read-it-straight-through book? As it ends up, it didn't work well either way, because as a reference book, there was a lot of information in here that you simply don't need to know (how Monopoly was invented, for example) and as a read-straight-through book, it could have been cut in half if all of the information that was repeated was only mentioned once.

Overall, it was fun to learn about the history of Monopoly and how to play it, but I'm sure that better books than this have been written since the 70's.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently returning to my Monopoly obsession, I came across this book at the library. It has proved to be the best strategy book I've found on the game, though my search is not yet over. Another book I read is The Monopolists, which tells a very thorough and interesting history of the game and it's originators. Something that bothers me about this, The Monopoly Book, is that the history it tells is incorrect . I realize it was written in the '70s, before the truth was revealed, and commend the author for her fantastic explanation of the game, it's hidden rules, and the easy to understand strategies to win (not to mention the fabulous section at the end about dealing with tantrums :).
As a Monopoly enthusiast, I recommend this book to anyone looking for information of how to play and win, with or without grace.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you type "monopoly sucks" into Google my blog shows up on the first page of returns, so why is this book on my bookshelf? Largely for nostalgia reasons. It's been there since the 1970's, and is the first book about games that I ever owned.

The book does two things well. It does an excellent job of analyzing the game and pointing out effective strategies. It also does an excellent job of clearly explaining the rules and pointing out the real rules to the game as opposed to the house rules that so many play with without even realizing that they are house rules and not actually in the rule book.

Toss in a short history of the game up to the early seventies and you have a great book. It's just too bad that Monopoly itself sucks :-P

[Jami]

found this from my youth in my old old monopoly game. God I was a nerd.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read for anyone who likes the game. It gives the history of the game as well as some strategies. Fun read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything you always wanted to know about Monopoly but were afraid to ask. Including, history, strategy, trivia.