Empire of Imagination

Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons

By: Michael Witwer

Narrated by: Sam Witwer

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

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 crafted 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 shares an engaging chronicle of the life and legacy of this emperor of the imagination.

©2015 Michael Witwer (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

'It turns out that while we were down in the basement exploring his world, Gary Gygax was having a tremendous adventure up here in ours. Thanks to Michael Witwer's book, I finally got to experience it.' (David X. Cohen, Executive Producer of FUTURAMA)

'We live in a time when the most important people in sports are using data--statistics, analytics--to make decisions with billion dollar consequences. We live in a time when digital gaming may be more influential in our culture than sports and movies combined. In short, we live in a world perhaps only Gary Gygax could have imagined decades ago. If you want to know where it all began, this book is as good a place as any to start.' (Mike Greenberg, cohost of ESPN's MIKE & MIKE and bestselling author of MY FATHER'S WIVES and ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR)

'Empire of Imagination tells the story of the emperor himself, at times brilliant, sometimes tragic, but ultimately victorious.' (Peter Adkison, founder and former CEO of Wizards of the Coast, owner of Gen Con)

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 bead 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.