The Billion Dollar Monopoly (R) Swindle

By Ralph Anspach

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0966649702
• ISBN13: 9780966649703
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Ralph Anspach
• Length: 230 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Excellent revelations on the Monopoly invention cover-up

Any fan of the Monopoly game or one of the many versions of the game available today will be intrigued by the origin of this fantastic game as told by Anspach through his investigations. The David vs. Goliath battle with the "Microsofts" of the Toy industry, the various owners of Parker Brothers through to Hasbro, Inc. (the current owners), shows how Monopoly is not just their game, but their mission statement and general business goal. Required reading for anyone who ever read The Monopoly Book or The Monopoly Companion.

Fascinating and Original

I found this book riveting and very well-written, a startling indictment of not only Parker Brothers (for claiming false invention of a 30-year old folk game and securing a fraudulent patent)but also of the American judicial system, which clearly will roll over and play dead when confronted with an army of corporate lawyers. While the earlier book by Saxon does discuss a precursor to Monopoly, it says nothing about Parker Brothers' underhanded dealings. Nor does it tell the story of how the game fell into the hands of "inventor" Charles Darrow. Another book on the subject by Orbanes (written essentially by and for Parker Bothers/Hasbro) is merely an attempt to whitewash the whole sticky mess so delightfully uncovered by Mr. Anspach. A fine and fascinating read.

A thrilling detective story debunking an American myth.

Anyone who loves Monopoly(R), like I do, and thinks they know the story of the game, like I did, will not be able to put this book down! The official story of the game's origin is a lie. For me, the crushing piece of evidence concerns the correct spelling of MarvEn Gardens. Check it out.

Brilliant book !

Have just read Dr Anspach's book from cover to cover without a break. A fascinating expose of what must rank as one of the biggest cover- up stories of all time.Mr Blub's review is correct in that Saxton's earlier book does report that Lizzie Magie's 1904 Landlords Game was a forerunner to Monopoly. It contains nothing however about the transformation of that game through the monopoly folklore to the Darrow/Parker Bros Atlantic City copy. Nor does it contain anything about the cover- up which has served so well to monopolise Monopoly for so many years.The book is a product of Dr Anspach's detective work which was validated by the American Courts and is to be commended in stark contrast to the corporate sanctioned Orbanes book. This offering attempts to preserve some credit for Darrow while erroneously( albeit cleverly) exonerating Parker Bros from the swindle.

Serious, still easy to read book about a sad story!

albert c. veldhuis - november 11, 1998 Serious, still easy to read book about a sad story! It is because Ralph Anspach is a fine and honest story-teller with a great knowledge of human character, discernment and perseverance that he finally succeeded in getting the truth popped up. It is really unbelievable that "certain people" succeeded in cheating the world (read: their customers) for over 60 years while so often honest people have tried to tell the truth. Thanks to Ralph Anspach everyone can now read the true story of a game that is so well-known over the whole world and in so many countries even when this games DOES NOT HAVE THE RED BAR.