In his wide-ranging and ever-fascinating examination of chess, Shenk gleefully unearths the hidden history of a game that seems so simple yet contains infinity.

Chess is the most enduring and universal game in history. Here, bestselling author David Shenk chronicles its intriguing saga, from ancient Persia to medieval Europe to the dens of Benjamin Franklin and Norman Schwarzkopf. Along the way, he examines a single legendary game that took place in London in 1851 between two masters of the time, and relays his own attempts to become as skilled as his Polish ancestor Samuel Rosenthal, a nineteenth-century champion. With its blend of cultural history and Shenk's personal interest, “The Immortal Game” is a compelling guide for novices and aficionados alike.

Review
“Elegant . . . a true page-turner, and a superb introduction to the game of chess.”
—“Wall Street Journal”
“Clear, elegant, sophisticated and easy to understand. . . . Just the thing to get you in the thrall of this ancient game.”
—“Los Angeles Times”
"Shenk, a spry writer....[offers] a strong case for the game's bewitching power."
—“The New York Times Book Review”
"Fresh and fascinating...a world-spanning story [Shenk] relates with skill and verve."
—“Chicago Sun-Times”

David Shenk, a former Freedom Forum fellow, has written for“Wired, Harper's, The New Republic, ” the “New York Times” and the “Washington Post, ” and is a commentator for National Public Radio's “All Things Considered.”