The first edition (Knapp and Cavendish) was published in 1979. It came in a slipcase and included four 20"x26" double-sided sheets with extra-large game boards. The second edition (Exeter and Cavendish) was published in 1983 and does not have the slipcase or the extra sheets. Both editions have a loose sheet with cut-out pieces for the games in the book.

"Play a boardgame known to the Pharoahs of Egypt, called Senat. Exercise your skill on Go, a boardgame considered an important part of Samurai warriors' education in the seventeenth century. Learn how to play Mu Torere, a popular tribal boardgame from New Zealand, or Konane, the game Captain Cook found the natives playing in Hawaii. Introduce your children to your own childhood favorites, like Ludo, Checkers and Tic-Tac-Toe."

"The Boardgame Book is a beautiful compendium of the world's most entertaining and universally popular games. Every board in this fascinating and unique collection of over eighty games can be played on the page, because the book has been specially designed to open flat. For easy reference, instructions with diagrams explaining how to play are on the pages adjoining each board. All the pieces and other equipment needed for play are supplied on a separate cut-out sheet."

"Here is a unique collection of over eighty games from every part of the world and dating as far back as five thousand years. Some, though very popular in their countries of origin, are almost totally unknown abroad, and others are rarities only to be found in museums and private collections.

Many of the games reproduced in The Boardgame Book are from an especially fine collection built up by R.C. Bell over many years. All the games have been chosen as much for their interest and visual appeal as for their value as a pleasant and universal pastime. About one third of the boards reproduced in this book are completely new designs which have been specially commissioned, with all the details taking account of traditional models."