The Immortal Game - David Shenk

A fresh, engaging look at how 32 carved pieces on a board forever changed our understanding of war, art, science, and the human brain.

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 lively personal narrative, The Immortal Game is a compelling guide for novices
and aficionados alike.