How Dungeons & Dragons Can Save Your Life! or Hobbits, Heroes, Gamers, Geeks: What Explains the RIse of Fantasy, Gaming and Role Playing Subcultures - A Talk with Author Ethan Gilsdorf

Ethan Gilsdorf’s award-winning travel memoir,Fantasy
Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online
Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginery Realms investigates fantasy and
gaming subcultures--- from Dungeons & Dragons players to World of Warcraft
addicts, from Harry Potter fans to 
live-action role-players. 

To research the book, Gilsdorf crisscrossed America, the
world, and other worlds, to speak with geeks, play games, and make peace with
his own geeky past, and answer such questions as: What explains this genre’s
surging popularity? What lures people to fantasy realms, and what meaning do
they find there? How have gamer/geek stereotypes evolved? Can escapism be good
for you and how do adults balance their escapist urges with the kingdom of the
real world? 

As Dungeons & Dragons celebrates its 40th
anniversary in 2014, there'salso no better time to revisit the nostalgic dungeons of
our past, and understand the impact the game has had on pop culture and the
culture at large. Tonight Ethan will take us on a tour from the enchanted lands
of fantasy to suburban America, and examine how games like Dungeons &
Dragons could possibly save your life!

 The cost of this evening’s event is $10.00.
Pre-registration, using a MasterCard or VISA is strongly recommended, by contacting
Lexington Community Education 781 862 8043.