Robin Hegedűs
2025. March 31.
Hi, this is Robin from Mindclash Games, not only a game designer and developer, but also a proud bookworm and book collector. Let me recommend my favourite board game books to you.
Every hobby reaches a point where simply participating is no longer enough. We don’t just hike, watch movies, or – like in our case – play board games anymore, instead, we find ourselves spending more and more of our time around the hobby, even when we’re not actively engaged in it. When we’re not hiking, we’re researching trails, reading trip reports, and browsing gear reviews. When it comes to movies, we read film critiques, memorize release dates, and know exactly where to catch the next film by our favorite director.
The same is true for board games. Many readers will likely recognize themselves when I say: beyond the hours spent playing (or in my case, designing) games, I regularly read designer diaries, browse BoardGameGeek, and follow convention previews. Eventually, board game books start stacking up on our nightstand (or Kindle), and we begin actively hunting for exciting new releases – the kind of books for board gamers that offer insight beyond gameplay itself.
Luckily, as our hobby grows in popularity, more and more books aimed at serious gamers and industry insiders are appearing on the market. These books for board gamers no longer assume their readers have played nothing beyond Monopoly. Below, I recommend a selection of board game–related books: some explore the rich history of board gaming, others analyze today’s gaming world, and a few focus on helping you understand the process of board game design more deeply. In curating this list, I tried to cover the spectrum of what I consider the best board game literature – books that reflect the depth and richness of our hobby.
Best Books on the Magnificent History of Board Games
Around the World in Eighty Games (Marcus du Sautoy)
Over the years, I’ve collected quite a few board game books on the history of games, fascinated by the roots of today’s vibrant board gaming culture. While there are many well-researched, often academic works to recommend, I’ve chosen one that stands out for its unique perspective. Marcus du Sautoy is not a historian, but a mathematician, and that lens brings an unexpected freshness to his journey through the world’s most iconic games.
Normally, you might skip a chapter on Clue, thinking there’s little left to say beyond why Colonel Mustard is named after a condiment. But du Sautoy takes each classic game as a jumping-off point to explore fascinating ideas – like probability (what are the odds the murderer is the same as in the previous game?), experiments involving AI bluffing humans, or how understanding bridge tactics can help solve an Agatha Christie mystery. While some readers might wish for deeper mathematical analysis, I appreciated the author’s enthusiastic exploration of whatever topic caught his interest – as long as it connected to games. That energy is contagious. If you’re building your collection of the best board game literature, this one deserves a spot.
Find it here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/marcus-du-sautoy/around-the-world-in-eighty-games/9781541601284
EuroWarGames (Jan Heynemann - Riccardo Masini - Frédéric Serval)
There’s a concept called recency bias, where we tend to favor newer things. That might be why EuroWarGames made this list – it’s still on my nightstand, waiting for another read. This is arguably the most niche title here, focusing on a specific subgenre: wargames.
While most mainstream gamers lean toward eurogames, there’s a noticeable trend of more experienced players venturing into the world of wargaming (just think of the popularity of Cole Wehrle’s designs or Candice Harris’ “What I Played Recently” reports in the BGG podcast). Wargame designers and fans have followed a distinct path, crafting experiences with mechanics that can feel refreshingly novel to seasoned eurogamers.
Here’s the twist: EuroWarGames explores how traditional wargamers perceive and respond to the emergence of euro-style mechanics and audiences in their world. Do they feel wargames are losing their authenticity? Or do they embrace the expanded reach and innovation this cross-pollination brings? It’s fascinating to view our eurogamer world through this half-outsider lens. The book also dives into topics like contrasting portrayals of war in games (e.g., This War of Mine vs. Risk), how board games are used for military training and planning, and the delicate balance designers must strike between authentic simulation and enjoyable gameplay. It’s one of those board game books that feels like both a history and a sociology lesson.
Find it here: https://www.nutspublishing.com/eshop/eurowargames-en
Top Books on Board Game Design
The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses (Jesse Schell)
Jesse Schell’s widely acclaimed book has had a lasting impact on me – it’s one I still regularly pull off the shelf. While it’s not specifically about board game design, it’s important to realize that game design is a broad craft. The core principles apply equally to digital games, physical games, movement-based activities, and even escape rooms.
This book offers a strong theoretical framework for analyzing your game-in-progress. It breaks down the intricate web of relationships between the designer, the game, the player, and the play experience. Each link offers valuable insight into refining your work.
A standout feature is the 113 “lenses” referenced in the subtitle. Each one provides a unique perspective through which to examine a game – whether it’s yours or a published title. Every lens includes guiding questions to help you apply that viewpoint. There are lenses for Novelty, Motivation, Freedom, Teamwork, and many more – each a fantastic tool for seeing your project in a new light. Among books for board gamers interested in creation rather than consumption, this is a top-tier pick. This book is not just for designers; curious players will also gain a deeper appreciation for how games are crafted and enjoyed.
Find it here: https://schellgames.com/art-of-game-design
Find the Fun (Gabe Barrett)
I’m always slightly skeptical of books claiming to teach success in creative fields – especially when the most celebrated creators are often self-taught mavericks. Add to that the fact that these authors are sometimes virtually unknown, and it’s hard not to question their authority.
Gabe Barrett isn’t a household name in design, but his Board Game Design Lab podcast proves how deeply he’s immersed himself in the design world, exploring the methods of veteran creators with analytical precision. In this book, he walks readers through the game design process from the very beginning: setting goals, prototyping effectively, gathering feedback from playtesters, and knowing when a game is truly finished.
At each step, Barrett includes insights and quotes from industry giants like Martin Wallace, Richard Garfield, and Ryan Laukat. This gives his advice both credibility and relatability. It’s a fantastic guide for anyone taking their first steps into board game design. It also stands out as one of the best board game literature entries for aspiring creators.
Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DWWX3MTM
Board Game Books That Enhance Your Experience
Homo Ludens (Johan Huizinga)
Some books rarely show up in bookstores or friend recommendations, yet appear again and again in footnotes and bibliographies. Johan Huizinga’s Homo Ludens is one of those works. The Dutch philosopher’s seminal book is widely cited in board game literature, and the phrase “homo ludens” – the “playing man” – has even entered everyday language. That’s what prompted me to finally read it.
Originally published in 1938, this cultural philosophy text isn’t light reading. Still, its ideas cast a new light on the human experience of play – one that continues to echo during every game session. When we place a board game on the table and gather around it, we’re participating in an ancient ritual. Huizinga explores the role of play in law, art, war, and science, showing how playfulness manifests even in these seemingly unrelated fields.
He argues that play is not just child’s play, but a driving force in human development – an essential element that has propelled civilization forward. As books for board gamers go, this one might feel more academic, but its influence is profound.
Find it here: https://angelicopress.com/products/homo-ludens
Reality is Broken (Jane McGonigal)
This book doesn’t focus much on board games, but I believe its message will deeply resonate with board game enthusiasts. Jane McGonigal explores the paradox of modern life: despite the opportunities around us, many people feel dissatisfied – disconnected from their work, from society, from their expected life path. And yet, they eagerly escape into games.
Though she primarily discusses video games, her observations apply equally to analog play. She argues that humans thrive on “unnecessary obstacles.” Give someone a tangled cord in a locked room, and they’ll instinctively try to untangle it. McGonigal identifies the core features of games that make them so fulfilling – and why those elements are often missing from real life.
Written from an optimistic perspective, the book pairs its insights with stories, initiatives, and experiments that show how we can “gamify” real-world challenges – bringing the motivation and joy of gaming into education, work, and social change. If you’re compiling a list of the best board game literature that broadens your perspective, this is a compelling pick.
Find it here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/406640/reality-is-broken-by-jane-mcgonigal/9780099540281
