[moofrank]

There is one more reason to read the book before attempting to play the game.

A rather succinct summary of the rules doesn't really explain how to play the game.

If you are not already familiar with that period of literature and stories, the game can quickly turn into a fairly mechanical exercise in naysaying and shoving coins around. The anecdotes, diversions, and such are there to immerse you in the world and give you an idea how you should behave while playing the game.

It is an odd, almost Jungian technique.