The book is an ideal gift for the discerning friend, a player, a collector and an appreciator of fine art and Asian culture and tradition. Centuries of Mah Jongg come alive in the recently published book, Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game. Authored by Mah Jongg enthusiasts Ann Israel and Gregg Swain, the book is the first of its kind to fully capture the story of the exotic and exciting game of Mah Jongg, offering an intimate look at the history of the game as well as the background and visual beauty of the tiles.
   Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game chronicles the game’s early beginnings and documents Mah Jongg playing sets from those made of simple paper to sophisticated models created with precious materials, including ivory and mother-of-pearl. Respected scholars and game experts contributed important chapters on the game’s history as well as the intricacies and stories of the individual pieces.
   With hundreds of beautiful new images by renowned photographer, Michel Arnaud, along with historical documentation and ephemera, Mah Jongg: The Art of the Game fills the void between the past and today’s game, providing vision, inspiration and resources. Anyone who has ever been intrigued by a Mah Jongg tile will find in these pages visually stunning photographs that will entice them into becoming an enthusiast of the timeless game of Mah Jongg.
   Co-Author Gregg Swain grew up in New York City where she developed her knowledge of art and art history. She is a collector of unusual and vintage Mah Jongg sets, and loves the game because it allows her to socialize with friends while enjoying the beautiful craftsmanship of its small tiles. She graduated from Smith College, in Northampton, MA, with a major in Art History. She earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Baylor University in Waco, TX. Much of Gregg’s research can be seen at Mahjongtreasures where she writes regularly under the alias Kuan Yin. Co-Author Ann Israel grew up in Detroit and now lives in New York City. She has been writing Advice for the Lawlorn,  a weekly syndicated column for attorneys published by American Law Media since 1994.
   The book is published by Tuttle Publishing, the premier publisher of English language books on Asian culture. For more information, visit Tuttle Publishing. The book’s website is Mahjonggtheartofthegame.com