Pong was just the beginning

It seems fitting to read about the history and development of video games in graphic novel format.  The Comic Book Story of Video Games takes the reader through the foundation of the industry while also introducing the stories of the men who dreamed up the idea of animating games.

The book begins with the earliest inventions and experiments that would eventually allow the creation of moving images that users could control.  Developments such as running electricity through glass tubes to produce glowing light, using magnetic fields to control the light and the invention of television all helped to pave the way for video games.  World War II accelerated the scientific research and development into such areas as radar, also helping to further develop the groundwork upon which electronic gaming was built.

There are "spotlights" throughout the book highlighting the contributions that were made to the field by important figures.  The first mentioned is Alan Turing, the man who was able to create a machine to decode Nazi transmissions during WWII.  He is also credited with creating the first computer game which was based on chess.  Ralph Baer, a self-taught tinkerer, eventually came up with the first home video game console, which allowed two players to engage in a table-tennis like battle.  Atari's founder, Nolan Bushnell, saw opportunities and was able to capitalize on them by originally staffing his company with "bikers, hitchhikers, hippie stoners and unshaven layabouts."  Well, whatever works!  Atari's video game Pong was soon available for play in many retail establishments, but of course it didn't take long for people to realize that the home market would be much more lucrative.

The rise of video games in Japan is also explained, as well as how Steve Wozniak became involved in the industry. Steve Jobs doesn't come off very well in the book, with is first job in the business being scheduled for the overnight shift due to his "body odor" and negative attitude (allegedly). While many of the early figures were important to the development of video gaming, it wasn't until people who were fanatical games themselves became involved that the industry really took off.  Arcade games became popular until the "1983 gaming crash" nearly destroyed the industry.  Luckily, computer gaming and eventually consoles came along and saved video gaming for future generations!

The book has a lot of very interesting information and there is a great deal happening on every page.  Anyone who is interested at all in how video games became such an ingrained part of everyday life will enjoy reading this book.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of The Comic Book Story of Video Games from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review 

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The lobsterbacks hold Boston Harbor

Although it lacks the toe-tapping appeal of the hit musical about the same man, the graphic novel Alexander Hamilton by Jonathan Hennessey and Justin Greenwood will help to bring to life one of the most interesting figures in American history.

The non-fiction book begins with a prologue that leads up to why Hamilton became such a well-known individual, including some historical writings citing Biblical evidence for the rights of kings to rule over people (and how free and lucky those subjects should feel!). In order to explain the times that Hamilton was born into, there is also some historical information on the sugar trade, established in the West Indies where the climate was favorable.  This new trade allowed British businessmen the ability to use their new found wealth to buy their way into Parliament, while British interests in the new American colonies were not so well represented abroad.  This led to the hated "stamp act" which punished the Americans for buying non-British goods.  The sugar industry also gave rise to the brutal slave trade in this part of the world.

The book goes on to detail Hamilton's difficult family circumstances: his mother had fled an abusive marriage and wasn't married to the man who became Hamilton's father.  The family split up and his mother died when he was young.  This left Hamilton, with no family to fall back on, with extremely limited prospects.  He was lucky to find a mentor in the Rev. Hugh Knox, who eventually helped the young man to publish a piece of writing that led to prominent citizens to help him travel from St. Croix to America for an education.  Once arrived, Hamilton became one of the most outspoken critics of British rule, delivering speeches and publishing pamphlets in an attempt to rally support for the cause of independence.

Hamilton's colorful career and path to the famous duel with Aaron Burr make up the majority of the book.  It is interesting to see events and people from (usually) dry history books come to life in the graphic novel format.  Hamilton is certainly an interesting figure and by showing his difficult upbringing and the motivation behind his beliefs, we can learn more about this major historical figure.  The occasionally convoluted language might be off-putting to younger readers, but those who want a glimpse into Hamilton's background will enjoy this effort.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of Alexander Hamilton from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review

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