For generations, Monopoly has been America's favorite boardgame, a love letter to unbridled capitalism and — for betteror worse — the impulses that make our free-market societytick. But behind the myth of the game's creation is an untoldtale of theft, obsession, and corporate double-dealing.Contrary to the folksy legend spread by Parker Brothers,Monopoly's secret history is a surprising saga that features aradical feminist, a community of Quakers in Atlantic City,America's greatest game company, and an unemployedDepression-era engineer. And the real story behind the creationof the game might never have come to light if it weren't forthe determination of an economics professor and impassionedanti-monopolist.Part detective story, part sharp socialcommentary, and part pop-culture celebration, Ruthless:Monopoly's Secret History presents the fascinating true storybehind America's favorite game.
