Anna Pronina, a journalist, writer and playing card collector, conducted a real investigation to learn as much as possible about the history of games in the Middle Ages. What did they play within the walls of ancient castles? How did ordinary townspeople have fun? How did passion and games change the history of states?

Particular attention is paid to playing cards, since not much information about them has survived to this day. Author finds out who invented them and when, why they are called “devilish pictures”, what the card symbolism speaks about.

From the book you will learn:

why in early Christian churches the subjects of paintings include card suits;

how pictures from playing cards got into sacred books and back;

how children spent their leisure time in the Middle Ages;

what amused most of all in the Middle Ages for adults;

which games of the Middle Ages can be played today;

as well as: signs, fortune telling, superstitions – from the best psychics of the country.

Interview with medium Alexander Sheps, clairvoyant Nicole Kuznetsova, tarot reader Anton Mamon, clairvoyant Fatima Khadueva; grand tarot master Elsa Khapatnyukovskaya, artist Alexei Orléansky, gypsy Aza Petrenko, collector Eduard Schweigert and others.