The Monopolists

Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game

By: Mary Pilon

Narrated by: Chris Sorensen

The Monopolists reveals the unknown story of how Monopoly came into existence, the reinvention of its history by Parker Brothers and multiple media outlets, the lost female originator of the game, and one man's lifelong obsession to tell the true story about the game's questionable origins.

Most think it was invented by an unemployed Pennsylvanian who sold his game to Parker Brothers during the Great Depression in 1935 and lived happily - and richly - ever after. That story, however, is not exactly true. Ralph Anspach, a professor fighting to sell his Anti-Monopoly board game decades later, unearthed the real story, which traces back to Abraham Lincoln, the Quakers, and a forgotten feminist named Lizzie Magie who invented her nearly identical Landlord's Game more than 30 years before Parker Brothers sold their version of Monopoly. Her game - underpinned by morals that were the exact opposite of what Monopoly represents today - was embraced by a constellation of left-wingers from the Progressive Era through the Great Depression, including members of Franklin Roosevelt's famed Brain Trust.

A fascinating social history of corporate greed that illuminates the cutthroat nature of American business over the last century, The Monopolists reads like the best detective fiction, told through Monopoly's real-life winners and losers.

©2015 Mary Pilon (P)2015 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Pilon invests this surprisingly contentious chronicle with a dynamic mix of journalistic knowledge and subtle wit... A fascinating, appealingly written history of an iconic American amusement." ( Kirkus Reviews)

I'll never look at Monopoly or any game the same.

This book should be a companion to every Monopoly board sold. Well researched by Ralph A and the author. Shame on the monopolizers.

Well done on the narration too.

For the monopoly fans

I collect monopoly. I love playing monopoly and I like visiting Atlantic City. This book is for the ultimate fan who wants to learn the true origin of the game and what went down. a lot of things make sense so pick it up and give it a read!!!

Newcaster Type Narration of a Fascinating Story

I have spent countless hours playing the game of Monopoly with my children, family and friends and never really knew the story behind the game. Although the history of the game was printed in the games instructions, I never knew that history because the game (as with most players) was taught to me by others who already knew how to play so who had time for instructions?? 😆

The story of Monopoly's origins starts off like a locomotive leaving the station but once it is up to full speed the journey is well worth the trip. It reads/listens like a novel but the narrator was a little dry and a "just the facts" kind of of voice.

I highly recommend this story so at least you know the truth over who really invented it, who stole it and how the game industry really operates.

Low key but interesting history lesson

A well researched and clearly told story that brings to light some interesting characters and snapshots of specific aspects of social and business history. Good level of detail without getting bogged down. Not a good choice if you want a white knuckle adrenaline trip, just a series of related stories connected ably.

Fascinating

Loved it. This is a story of American capitalism, for better, for worse, for entrepreneurial, for conglomerate, for radical, for game playing strategist. This is American history at its most fascinating.