mikekn

...is a book I can't afford.

Good News: A copy of the reproduction Alfonso book is available again.
Bad News: It is about $2800.
Good News: That is over $1000 less then the first copy I found.
Bad News: It is over $300 more then the last copy I found.
Good News: The price is actually in Euros and has gone down as the dollar makes gains.
Bad News: Still over $2000 more then I should spend on a book just for the wow factor and pretty pictures.

complexated suggested I check the Arizona University library, and from there I was able to download a free PDF copy of the dissertation. It's a hefty 1,441 pages (6 MB). I'm still going to look at getting a bound copy, but it isn't as urgent a need.

Does anyone out there have the right connections to get a hardback copy of a dissertation for a good price?
I want to get this: "Los libros de acedrex dados e tablas: Historical, artistic and metaphysical dimensions of Alfonso X's 'Book of Games'"
by Sonja Musser Golladay

I found one place to do it, but for an individual it will run over $100.

Author: EL SABIO, ALFONSO X.
Title: LIBROS DEL AJEDREZ DADOS Y TABLAS.
Order Date: June 7, 2007
Status: Item Unavailable

Edit: If you want to see what this book looks like, the publisher has a page for it: http://www.edilan.es/hojas/0011e.htm

Just spotted a reproduction of a 13th century book of games written for Alfonso X (the Wise) of Spain.  They only want $3950 for it.  It's nonfiction so it wouldn't count against my goal.  You could all go in together and get it for my birthday :)

(Yes - I'm joking! - but it is a cool book)

Interesting period board game on eBay.  It's an edition of the seven player astronomical "chess" game from Alfonso X's book.  It looks to be cheaply made, but I'm curious enough to get a copy.