D&D 30 Years of Adventure Coffee Table Book [Archive] - Wizards Community

D&D 30 Years of Adventure Coffee Table Book [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Saurstalk
01-19-05, 07:01 PM My wife surprised me with the purchase of the book, D&D 30 Years of Adventure for my birthday. While I hadn't considered buying it for myself, I appreciate her doing so. Having reviewed it, I can only slight one section of the book: the end. The book highlights on the growth of computer RPGing and provides lots of editorials from DnD Online crew, as well as a little info about NWN. What it completely failed to miss was the ground-breaking and award-winning Baldur's Gate series completely. I was astonished. In addition, the last section covers the "future" of D&D, but provides no telling of Eberron, D&D Miniatures, or even 3.5, and more so, gives the reader NO hint (beyond computer gaming) where D&D may be headed.

Still, the artwork was nice. (Though I was really hoping to see Lockwood's "barroom brawl" in full color and it isn't.)

The editorials are a mixed batch. Some are good, some droll on and on.

I really liked finally reading up on WotC's purchase of TSR, and then it's purchase by Hasbro. Gives a nice behind the scenes look.

The beginning was also nice, as well the smattering of coverings of worlds.

In the end, out of 5 stars, I'd likely give it 3. A nice book, not a remarkable book.
Draco Strang
01-19-05, 07:45 PM Yea, when this thing dropped right before Christmas, the boards were inundated with reviews of it, mostly unfavorable. I'm suprised you rated it as high as you did. I for one got a chance to leaf through a copy that someone had wripped the shrinkwrap from in my local Waldenbooks, and I was appalled. Tons of mispellings and editing errors, in addition to articles by people that don't matter. Honestly, who cares that Vin Diesel plays DnD? I'd much rather have seen a forward from Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Monte Cook, or Ed Greenwood, to name a few.
skathros
01-19-05, 08:59 PM I'd much rather have seen a forward from Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Monte Cook, or Ed Greenwood, to name a few.

Couldn't agree more! Well, maybe not Greenwood...
crazysamaritan
01-19-05, 10:27 PM honestly? It could have been better quality for the money spent. But I considered it a "fun" book. One to look at and read a bit, and put it back. An Excellent coffe table book for the commercials.

I'd've preferred more mentions of people like Vin Diesel and Ensign Crusher. people considered real popular, admitting that they really are geeks.

I liked the occasional comments of game designers with their brain child. It was amusing, and gave me a new insight i didn't have. it was fun and cute. All i really expected even if it wasn't all i wanted.
Fogel the Magical
01-19-05, 11:56 PM This is a good book to look through if you're into D&D and are interested on reading anything about it just to read about it. It's hardly worth the cover price but it is certainly a good book to have.
Escef
01-20-05, 09:07 AM What it completely failed to miss was the [...] Baldur's Gate series completely.

It completely failed to miss it completely? Does that mean it was partially hit?
Saurstalk
01-20-05, 11:02 AM It completely failed to miss it completely? Does that mean it was partially hit?

Nope. COMPLETELY. Thanks for bringing to my attention the redundancy in my words. Don't know what I would have done without you. Now I can sleep at night again.
Escef
01-21-05, 07:48 AM Now I can sleep at night again.

No problem, citizen. Let me know if these redundency ruffians bother you again.

Super Escef, Awaaaaaaaay!
Thiago123
01-21-05, 09:46 PM This is a good book to look through if you're into D&D and are interested on reading anything about it just to read about it. It's hardly worth the cover price but it is certainly a good book to have.

I agree...I almost impulse bought it at the local Barns and Noble when I saw it...then I looked at the price. $50?!? And on top of that, I got home and started reading all of these bad reviews. I will still consider buying it, but only from Amazon at 30% off or somewhere cheaper.

-Thiago

P.S. - I think the Vin Diesel foreword is cool...I like that he is such a bad!@*%# but plays DnD....

Total sidenote - is Zeb Cook related to Monte Cook?

Thanks!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Saurstalk 01-19-05, 07:01 PM	My wife surprised me with the purchase of the book, D&D 30 Years of Adventure for my birthday. While I hadn't considered buying it for myself, I appreciate her doing so. Having reviewed it, I can only slight one section of the book: the end. The book highlights on the growth of computer RPGing and provides lots of editorials from DnD Online crew, as well as a little info about NWN. What it completely failed to miss was the ground-breaking and award-winning Baldur's Gate series completely. I was astonished. In addition, the last section covers the "future" of D&D, but provides no telling of Eberron, D&D Miniatures, or even 3.5, and more so, gives the reader NO hint (beyond computer gaming) where D&D may be headed. Still, the artwork was nice. (Though I was really hoping to see Lockwood's "barroom brawl" in full color and it isn't.) The editorials are a mixed batch. Some are good, some droll on and on. I really liked finally reading up on WotC's purchase of TSR, and then it's purchase by Hasbro. Gives a nice behind the scenes look. The beginning was also nice, as well the smattering of coverings of worlds. In the end, out of 5 stars, I'd likely give it 3. A nice book, not a remarkable book.
Draco Strang 01-19-05, 07:45 PM	Yea, when this thing dropped right before Christmas, the boards were inundated with reviews of it, mostly unfavorable. I'm suprised you rated it as high as you did. I for one got a chance to leaf through a copy that someone had wripped the shrinkwrap from in my local Waldenbooks, and I was appalled. Tons of mispellings and editing errors, in addition to articles by people that don't matter. Honestly, who cares that Vin Diesel plays DnD? I'd much rather have seen a forward from Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Monte Cook, or Ed Greenwood, to name a few.
skathros 01-19-05, 08:59 PM	I'd much rather have seen a forward from Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Monte Cook, or Ed Greenwood, to name a few. Couldn't agree more! Well, maybe not Greenwood...
crazysamaritan 01-19-05, 10:27 PM	honestly? It could have been better quality for the money spent. But I considered it a "fun" book. One to look at and read a bit, and put it back. An Excellent coffe table book for the commercials. I'd've preferred more mentions of people like Vin Diesel and Ensign Crusher. people considered real popular, admitting that they really are geeks. I liked the occasional comments of game designers with their brain child. It was amusing, and gave me a new insight i didn't have. it was fun and cute. All i really expected even if it wasn't all i wanted.
Fogel the Magical 01-19-05, 11:56 PM	This is a good book to look through if you're into D&D and are interested on reading anything about it just to read about it. It's hardly worth the cover price but it is certainly a good book to have.
Escef 01-20-05, 09:07 AM	What it completely failed to miss was the [...] Baldur's Gate series completely. It completely failed to miss it completely? Does that mean it was partially hit?
Saurstalk 01-20-05, 11:02 AM	It completely failed to miss it completely? Does that mean it was partially hit? Nope. COMPLETELY. Thanks for bringing to my attention the redundancy in my words. Don't know what I would have done without you. Now I can sleep at night again.
Escef 01-21-05, 07:48 AM	Now I can sleep at night again. No problem, citizen. Let me know if these redundency ruffians bother you again. Super Escef, Awaaaaaaaay!
Thiago123 01-21-05, 09:46 PM	This is a good book to look through if you're into D&D and are interested on reading anything about it just to read about it. It's hardly worth the cover price but it is certainly a good book to have. I agree...I almost impulse bought it at the local Barns and Noble when I saw it...then I looked at the price. $50?!? And on top of that, I got home and started reading all of these bad reviews. I will still consider buying it, but only from Amazon at 30% off or somewhere cheaper. -Thiago P.S. - I think the Vin Diesel foreword is cool...I like that he is such a bad!@*%# but plays DnD.... Total sidenote - is Zeb Cook related to Monte Cook? Thanks!