The Immortal Game
A History of Chess by David Shenk, where he attempts to explain how "32 Carved Pieces on a Board Illuminated our understanding of War, Science and the Human Brain. It is delicious. It really is. I don't know how it would feel to someone who is not in love with chess, but it should at least tempt you to try. The book shows how centuries ago people grasped abstract ideas that seem so common sense today- chess as the Power Point of the medieval age. And nearly everyone who was anyone played chess - much to dismay of their wifes, if they had any.
Chess anyone?
Chess anyone?