If a graphic novel can make you feel nostalgic for a time you never lived through, Pinball is doing a great job of it. It makes me want to go to the days when you could train on pinball, the vintage machines, and become adept with the controls. Can verify that I don't have that many skills when it comes to the ball, as a trip to an arcade verifies.

Pinball talks about the early historical roots of the game, how a grassy knoll with holes would lead to the flashy arcade cabinets that would enter our pop culture. We also find out some of the most talented players, and the figures that aim to keep this hobby game going and within public consciousness. I couldn't stop reading.

My generation didn't have a lot of pinball, due to it being the 90s and arcades falling out of favor with computer games on the rise. If you wanted to play it? You'd have to find the arcades at specific theme parks or tourist attractions, or We also missed the accusations that pinball was a gambling game that would rob the youth of their money. (Honestly, it's crane games that are the worst for that.) But also that there was a time you could win gum from a pinball machine? That sounds awesome!

Pinball opened my eyes about what can come from a simple ball, pedal, and flippers. You never know what you can learn from nonfiction history.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

A great history of the game, and a compelling account of what makes it so unique and special. The art style wasn't my favorite, but that's just a personal preference - it does a good job embellishing the text.

A beautifully illustrated history of pinball. As a huge pinball fan this book is a joy. The graphic illustrations are a unique take on the usual photographic format and make the book fresh and engaging. I loved reading this and feel the format lends itself well to appealing to a wider audience than just pinball fans. Wonderful stuff.

This was a great non fiction graphic novel. It would be great for those that love pinball and for those that are history buff.

Way too specialized and evangelical to keep my attention. Instead of introducing me to the love of the arcade game, I was put off. But the artwork is energetic, and those looking for a comprehensive look at the machines will find plenty to read here.

It's well known, if you read my reviews, that I LOVE a non-fiction graphic novel. Give me information with images and you are guaranteed that I will absorb the information that much more. Jon Chad weaves the reader through the crazy interesting history of Pinball. I for one, had no idea that pinball was banned due to ties to organized crime. Learning more about the skill and artistry involved in the game itself was fascinating. The artwork in the novel is beautiful and the history felt needed in such complicated time in our lives. If you want to learn more about Pinball, check out this book!

Was happy to include this book in “Pop Goes the Culture,” my latest round-up for Zoomer magazine, highlighting spring cultural titles of interest (see mini-review at link)

I knew absolutely nothing about pinball going into this, so found it incredibly interesting as well as an enjoyable book. The history and science of pinball is told in a graphic novel format with a very engaging art style that creates beautiful illustrations. The combination of these pictures along with the simple text that manages to portray very complex ideas means that any reader is bound to learn something. It is a must read for pinball lovers, but I'd also recommend it for anyone with a slight interest in this intriguing history.

Thank you to Netgalley and First Second Books for the advanced ebook copy of this title!

In this non-fiction graphic novel, you can read everything you would want to know about pinball, everything from origins, usage, and various improvements through time. I never imagined there was so much to tell about the pinball game. The graphic is good, cartoonish.

I like reading non-fiction graphic novels as I always learn something new this way. I didn't know much about this game. I would recommend it to all who like some in-depth read about pinball.

Thanks to First Second Books for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.

Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball is a labour of love. Passion bursts off the page, giving a detailed history and exploring the hidden relationship between players and the game. Both aspects are visually communicated well, keeping it engaging and adding an additional layer to the narration. If one of Chad’s objectives was to get more people to play, he’s been successful. I have a craving to play pinball.

It made me remind me of the time my pc didn't have Internet and I would play pinball on there.. I will forever love pinball and this book made me love it more! Amazing read

Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball by John Chad, 182 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. NONFICTION. First Second (Roaring Book Press), 2022. $25.
Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Pinball developed over several centuries – perhaps its origins are rooted in lawn games played in ancient Greece! Chad shows the history of pinball from 17th century France to its near-demise in the United States in 1942 to its audience today. Through additions and adaptations, pinball has become the arcade game we know and love today.
I loved every page of this book. The illustrations bring the history of pinball alive, and, intentionally or not, this focused history still shows the developments outside of pinball in the world’s history. Being able to see how even a game is impacted by and impacts the history of countries was amazing to me. Admittedly, this is a very niche subject, but the content is good enough to bring back another wave of pinball fans!
The illustrations made a pronounced effort to depict people of all ages and skin colors. The mature content rating is for depictions of smoking and mentions of illegal activity; the violence rating is for illustrations of guns and mild violence against inanimate objects and video game characters.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This book is a must for any pinball enthusiast! It would make a wonderful coffee table addition, it's sure to spark an interest in anyone who happens upon it. I love the comic formatting, it makes it really easily digestible. Very fitting for a book on pinball.

Is Pinball gambling? New York City thought so from 1942-1976. But in 1976, it was once again legalized and came back with a vengeance both there and across the US.

If you remember playing Pinball fondly, this graphic biography is a compelling read. From the game’s history to each innovation along the way, everyone will learn something from this book. It also has tips and tricks too. The artwork is as colorful as the machines. 5 stars!

Thanks to First Second Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

So fun and fascinating!! I’ve always been a huge pinball fan so I knew I had to read this. It was very enlightening.

I’ve never enjoyed reading about pinball machines so much in my life. Also the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I loved this.

I really enjoyed the history of pinball that was laid out in this graphic novel. It was well paced and the images helped to support the story of the evolution of pinball. It let me relive days where I would hang out at the arcade and play pinball for hours. Well written and enjoyable.

This book was fascinating to say the least. I had never really considered the history of pinball. I remember trying to beg quarters of my parents as a kid so I could play pinball at the arcade. Pinball is a great resource of the history of playing, but it also is a resource with helpful terminology and tips. I enjoyed this graphic novel format, the artistry comes across like the flashing lights and fanfare of an actual game. We will be adding this to our library. Great book!

Pinball wasn’t my favorite arcade game growing up — I was more of a skeeball or air hockey fan, and those are still my go to arcade games on the rare occurrence I step foot in an arcade. But this book was fascinating, and made me very nostalgic for those childhood arcade days. Growing up, my dad used to always take us to the local Tasty Freeze for ice cream and I remember them having a pinball machine in the lobby. So that’s where this book took me back to. All the bells and whistles, and different versions, of pinball was so interesting to learn about. And the art made you feel like you were right there playing the game too.