Fiend Folio by Don Turnbull, Inc Tsr Hobbies and Ltd. TSR UK (1981, Book, Illustrated)

I never thought that my Son would actually want to put aside his PC Games and sit at the table with real live human beings and play Role Playing games like I did when I was his age. Imagine my surprise when he asked me to get him started in Dungeons and Dragons. Starting from scratch, one of the books that I consider a must have is the Fiend Folio. An ancient volume updated several times but its what I know and that was good enough for my son. In it are some of my favorite creatures Rare enough to base whole modules around. A wonderful purchase. Now we'll see if this old game can keep my Son's attention. I have my doubts but am ever hopeful. Interaction with real humans using your own imagination, writing it as it goes, beats out the computer any day. But then again, I'm old school.

I remember like it was yesterday when this book came out. I ran to the mall and bought it and sat out in the court skimming through it and thought to myself "this mostly sucks". The art sucks. The creatures suck. Over 20 years later I couldnt have been more wrong. Most of the art is amazing and has a very distint feel to it that has never been done since. Yes. Some of the monsters make no sense or have very little context. But that in itself is what makes it great. Many of the monsters in this book have become classics including the Githyanki, The Drow and Sladdi.

First addition is the way to go. This is a must have. It is getting harder and harder to find the original first addition books.