Empire of Imagination

Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons

By: Michael Witwer

Narrated by: Sam Witwer

Bloomsbury presents Empire of Imagination by Michael Witwer, read by Sam Witwer.

The first comprehensive biography of geek and gaming culture's mythic icon, Gary Gygax, and the complete story behind his invention of Dungeons & Dragons.

The life story of Gary Gygax, godfather of all fantasy adventure games, has been told only in bits and pieces. Michael Witwer has written a dynamic, dramatized biography of Gygax from his childhood in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to his untimely death in 2008.

Gygax’s magnum opus, Dungeons & Dragons, would explode in popularity throughout the 1970s and ’80s and irreversibly alter the world of gaming. D&D is the best-known, best-selling role-playing game of all time, and it boasts an elite class of alumni—Stephen Colbert, Robin Williams, and Vin Diesel all have spoken openly about their experience with the game as teenagers, and some credit it as the workshop where their nascent imaginations were fostered.

Gygax’s involvement in the industry lasted long after his dramatic and involuntary departure from D&D’s parent company, TSR, and his footprint can be seen in the role-playing genre he is largely responsible for creating. Through his unwavering commitment to the power of creativity, Gygax gave generations of gamers the tools to invent characters and entire worlds in their minds. Witwer has written an engaging chronicle of the life and legacy of this emperor of the imagination.

©2015 Michael Witwer (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The personal story

the lack of citations on these stories, I would want to know it they came from interviews or articles more. There were a few direct quotes, but I want to know if the stories of his youth was something he talked about or fan fiction for example. I you like D&D and wonder who Gary Gygax is and that doesn't hang you up this is a 5/5 for sure!

King of the Nerds

There were countless things I didn't know concerning the history of this legend and I've been pretty proud of my DnD lore thus far. Next year is going to be a big deal for us DnD nerds. 50 years of innovations to a game and a way of life that make me who I am.

Love the Narration

Cool, interesting biography of an icon that sadly most people can't name, even lovers of his greatest success. Quirky and funny anecdotes help balance out some of the more serious themes of Gary's life and I think the narrator did a wonderful job treading that line with good tone and inflection.

A unique and truly remarkable story

One of the best and most inspiring books I have ever read. The life og Gary is so heartwarming. I have learned and been reminded of valuable life lessons. Thank you.

A well read biography trying to be a heroic tale

Just finished listening to this and overall, it was pretty good. The narration was solid. The facts were mostly spot on based on other books I’ve read that overlap. I learned a few new things and it was nice to listen to some of this as I drove along in my car. Having said all of that, I felt like some of the writing was just a bit clunky and jarring, like the chapter transitions that played out like a D&D campaign and the horrible death bed grim reaper scene. Some of the writing seemed like he was whitewashing Gary’s life in places. There are mentions of affairs and poor choices with money and words, but when the consequences of these actions come back to him it’s framed as if he’s a hero struggling against unfair circumstances. There’s also a slow and steady erasure of Dave Arneson’s contributions as the book goes on so that by the end Gary is the sole inventor of D&D. Lastly the grandiose claims about the impacts of D&D, and by association Gary Gygax as its creator, get a little absurd. Come on my dude, you’re going to claim Lord of the Rings and Star Wars owe their popularity to him? I get that it’s Gary’s biography, but it felt dishonest and a bit sensational in places. Otherwise, a solid listen.