The World's Game
Reflections on Western Culture
Will be published approx. on 7. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
528 pages
978-1-83793-339-6 (ISBN)
Description
In the twelfth century, Pope Clement III declared: 'The Pope is resolved to be the lord and master of the world's game.' History, however, had other winners in mind.
In this epic narrative, Frederic Raphael explores the most significant moments, ideas and figures that have shaped the world as we know it. His charming vignettes take us on a journey through history: from the reigns of Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great, to Plato, Socrates and the origins of philosophy. We stop off at the turning point of World War Two and the invention of the atom bomb, and, finally, examine the social and cultural divisions of the modern day. The game is not always peaceful - prejudice, cruelty and suffering have always been key players alongside frivolity and community - but it has always been fascinating.
Thought-provoking and propulsive, The World's Game weaves a complex tapestry from the countless strands of influence and progress that make up the Western world.
In this epic narrative, Frederic Raphael explores the most significant moments, ideas and figures that have shaped the world as we know it. His charming vignettes take us on a journey through history: from the reigns of Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great, to Plato, Socrates and the origins of philosophy. We stop off at the turning point of World War Two and the invention of the atom bomb, and, finally, examine the social and cultural divisions of the modern day. The game is not always peaceful - prejudice, cruelty and suffering have always been key players alongside frivolity and community - but it has always been fascinating.
Thought-provoking and propulsive, The World's Game weaves a complex tapestry from the countless strands of influence and progress that make up the Western world.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-83793-339-6 (9781837933396)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Frederic Raphael is a BAFTA and Academy Award-winning screenwriter, author and journalist. He wrote the screenplays for Oscar-winning Darling (1965), Oscar-nominated Two for the Road (1967) and the 1967 adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd. As a journalist, his articles have been published in The Sunday Times and the Los Angeles Times. As a prolific author, Raphael has written numerous works of fiction and translation, as well as history, essays and memoirs, most notably The Glittering Prizes (1976) and Eyes Wide Open (1999).