From the blurb:'1985 is the fiftieth anniversary of Monopoly, the world's best-selling, best known board game. This entertaining and comprehensive guide is written by Gyles Brandreth, an official European Monopoly champion, who has taken part in the world championships of the game in New York, and presides at the launch of the annual London Monopoly Marathon, the biggest game ever, played around the streets of London in aid of charity.Here in one book is everything you ever wanted to know about Monopoly: its rules and origins, tips and tactics needed to improve your ability as a player, advice on which are the best properties to own, how to handle finances, property development strategy and bidding to stop an opponent. There are tricks to distract the other players - within the rules, of course - and keep them guessing, and ingenious strategies to make the most of your chances.Monopoly variations, Monopoly around the world, marathons, championships and computer Monopoly are all covered, with a Monopoly quiz to test your knowledge of the game. The book is also a mine of amusing and entertaining stories and comments about Monopoly and gamesmanship in general.The Monopoly Omnibus, written in a lively and informative style by one of the game's most popular and knowledgeable players, is a must for all Monopoly fans.'The book is full of interesting information about the game however it has been written according to the popular history of Monopoly being the creation of Darrow and much of the other folklore is ignored. Most interesting is that this book is written from the Anglocentric viewpoint - the Monopoly in question being the adopted version produced under license by Waddington's Games. The chapter on the origins of the game, after much about Darrow's failure, success and submission, accounts for how Waddington's came to adopt the game in England. - BoardGameGeek