John Stanifer's Reviews > Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball

Not only was this an incredibly fun romp through the history of pinball -- I learned a lot that I didn't know. For instance, early versions of pinball were very popular during the Great Depression and helped people pass the time during one of the most difficult economic periods in modern history.

And then there's the jaw-dropping fact that pinball was BANNED in New York for decades (because of its perceived ties to crime and juvenile delinquency) and that over 11,000 machines were destroyed when the ban was put into place and just . . . tossed in the river.

Jon Chad knows his stuff and makes me want to track down some of the important pinball machines that he references in his narrative ("Spirit of 76," "High Speed," "Addams Family," and the Star Wars: Episode I machine that basically killed the industry for several years are just a few examples).

This is a must-read if you have even a tiny shred of interest in gaming or pop culture! Bravo!

P.S. One small touch that I loved about the artwork in this book -- sound effects are frequently portrayed using colorful geometric shapes resembling the famous Memphis Design of the '80s.