Whether its childhood makebelieve the theater sports or even market speculation play is one of humanitys seemingly purest activities a form of entertainment and leisure and a chance to explore the world and its possibilities in an imagined environment or construct. But as Roberte Hamayon shows in this book play has implications that go even further than that. Exploring plays many dimensions she offers an insightful look at why play has become so ubiquitous across human cultures. Hamayon begins