An illustrated guide to Dungeons & Dragons’ beloved fifth edition told through interviews, artwork, and visual ephemera from the designers, storytellers, and artists who bring it to life.
When the reimagined fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons debuted in the summer of 2014, the game was on the brink of obsolescence. But within a few short years, D&D found greater success than it had ever enjoyed before, even surpassing its 1980s golden age. How did an analog game nearly a half century old become a star in a digital world? For the first time, Lore & Legends reveals the incredible ongoing story of Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition from the perspective of the designers, artists, and players who bring it to life. This comprehensive visual guide illuminates contemporary D&D—its development, evolution, cultural relevance, and popularity—through exclusive interviews and more than 900 pieces of artwork, photography, and advertising curated and analyzed by the authors of the bestselling and Hugo Award–nominated Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana.
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241 reviews for Dungeons & Dragons Lore & Legends: A Visual Celebration of the Fifth Edition of the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game
4.5out of 5
★★★★★
★★★★★
9
★★★★★
1
★★★★★
2
★★★★★
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★★★★★
Scottyda –
This hardcover book showcases the genesis and growth of 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons. Most of the artwork showcased are the book covers, and explanations of the artist’s vision to make said art, and unfortunately, a very small sampling of the interior artwork. It would have been nice to see more the interior artwork since the cover artwork can be found on any website. While the history of the 5th edition being workshopped and created throughout the book, is interesting at times, the majority of it is written more like an advertisement, the minutes of a corporate meeting, or Wizards of the Coast patting themselves on the back (i.e. “We had to build on our momentum”, “Fans couldn’t wait for more!”).
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★★★★★
AJ –
Historical
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★★★★★
Amazon Customer –
Carino per scoprire qualcosa in più sulla vita di d&d, molto utili gli approfondimenti su vari personaggi.
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★★★★★
Edward Granata –
Very good read
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★★★★★
Step –
Our games master grandson loved it! I’m more classical wargames personally 🙂
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★★★★★
Eliot Sirota –
Following up their first amazing tome, “Art and Arcana”, the team behind “Lore and Legends” have outdone themselves through exhaustive research, fantastic copy, lauout and insights, and some of the most beloved Dungeons and Dragons art ever compiled into one publication. Whether you’re a fan of the game itself or fantasy in general, this book is a must have to adron your shelf. Also check out “Art and Arcana”, “Heroes’ Feast” and the brand new sequel, “Heroes’ Feast: Flavors of the Multiverse”!
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★★★★★
Paul Hays –
Eher eine Zusammenfassung der bisherigen erschienen Titel von D&D 5e, immer mit gewohnt großartigen Bildern. Sehr informativ, ich könnte kaum aufhören zu lesen und Bilder zu gucken.
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★★★★★
Ulysses Buntbart –
Great visuals and information on various realms
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★★★★★
Charles Holzheimer –
Looks like I’ll be a little in the minority when reviewing this book. While the artwork and visuals in the book are top notch, this tome is ultimately a 400 page promo on fifth edition D&D and all of its products. After an introduction that isn’t wrong, just one sided, the rest of this book is a catalog of all of the fifth edition books released so far. Any objective viewpoint is not mentioned, forbid anything negative about what they, the authors, consider the pinnacle of all role playing games. Probably the most blatant omission as an example was the enormous faux pas WOTC made this last year when they almost discontinued the open gaming license only to be met with enormous push back from the gaming community. This hot topic issue isn’t even mentioned. I could give other references to demonstrate this one sided leaning but my purpose isn’t to slam this book. I just think the reader should keep in mind who authorized this book and provided all the artwork. They didn’t do it out if the goodness of their hearts, they did so with the assumption that this book would be pro WOTC and not critical of it. Reader: keep an open mind with this book and realize it presents only one side of the story.
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★★★★★
Amazon Customer –
Compre dos veces este libro. Ambas llego rayado, con esquinas golpeadas y roto en varias partes.
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★★★★★
GlennB –
Incredible artwork and informative history of D&D. Great for old timer D&D fans like me or anyone new. Hours of fun.
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★★★★★
Northwest Dad –
The book is thick and literally every page has full color art. Beautifully put together and presented. The creators of this book also did Art & Arcana and Hero’s Feast…both of which have been equally articulated.
The fact this hard cover book was available for under $30 is beyond amazing. Please buy a copy for your coffee table. Let’s make sure more books are made available to celebrate D&D!
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Brian F. Gale –
Very happy with his book. Excellent price for a good quality book. They artwork and stories are compelling. 5 stars.
Scottyda –
This hardcover book showcases the genesis and growth of 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons. Most of the artwork showcased are the book covers, and explanations of the artist’s vision to make said art, and unfortunately, a very small sampling of the interior artwork. It would have been nice to see more the interior artwork since the cover artwork can be found on any website.
While the history of the 5th edition being workshopped and created throughout the book, is interesting at times, the majority of it is written more like an advertisement, the minutes of a corporate meeting, or Wizards of the Coast patting themselves on the back (i.e. “We had to build on our momentum”, “Fans couldn’t wait for more!”).
AJ –
Historical
Amazon Customer –
Carino per scoprire qualcosa in più sulla vita di d&d, molto utili gli approfondimenti su vari personaggi.
Edward Granata –
Very good read
Step –
Our games master grandson loved it! I’m more classical wargames personally 🙂
Eliot Sirota –
Following up their first amazing tome, “Art and Arcana”, the team behind “Lore and Legends” have outdone themselves through exhaustive research, fantastic copy, lauout and insights, and some of the most beloved Dungeons and Dragons art ever compiled into one publication. Whether you’re a fan of the game itself or fantasy in general, this book is a must have to adron your shelf. Also check out “Art and Arcana”, “Heroes’ Feast” and the brand new sequel, “Heroes’ Feast: Flavors of the Multiverse”!
Paul Hays –
Eher eine Zusammenfassung der bisherigen erschienen Titel von D&D 5e, immer mit gewohnt großartigen Bildern. Sehr informativ, ich könnte kaum aufhören zu lesen und Bilder zu gucken.
Ulysses Buntbart –
Great visuals and information on various realms
Charles Holzheimer –
Looks like I’ll be a little in the minority when reviewing this book. While the artwork and visuals in the book are top notch, this tome is ultimately a 400 page promo on fifth edition D&D and all of its products. After an introduction that isn’t wrong, just one sided, the rest of this book is a catalog of all of the fifth edition books released so far.
Any objective viewpoint is not mentioned, forbid anything negative about what they, the authors, consider the pinnacle of all role playing games. Probably the most blatant omission as an example was the enormous faux pas WOTC made this last year when they almost discontinued the open gaming license only to be met with enormous push back from the gaming community. This hot topic issue isn’t even mentioned. I could give other references to demonstrate this one sided leaning but my purpose isn’t to slam this book. I just think the reader should keep in mind who authorized this book and provided all the artwork. They didn’t do it out if the goodness of their hearts, they did so with the assumption that this book would be pro WOTC and not critical of it.
Reader: keep an open mind with this book and realize it presents only one side of the story.
Amazon Customer –
Compre dos veces este libro. Ambas llego rayado, con esquinas golpeadas y roto en varias partes.
GlennB –
Incredible artwork and informative history of D&D. Great for old timer D&D fans like me or anyone new. Hours of fun.
Northwest Dad –
The book is thick and literally every page has full color art. Beautifully put together and presented. The creators of this book also did Art & Arcana and Hero’s Feast…both of which have been equally articulated.
The fact this hard cover book was available for under $30 is beyond amazing. Please buy a copy for your coffee table. Let’s make sure more books are made available to celebrate D&D!
Brian F. Gale –
Very happy with his book. Excellent price for a good quality book. They artwork and stories are compelling. 5 stars.