[Let's Read] Playing With Fire, Part 3: Place in History

Here are some of the highlights of the "Satanic Panic" and Playing With Fire's place within them. Note this is not a complete timeline.


1979

Disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III, supposedly in the Michigan State University steam tunnels playing D&D

A month later, he is found by William Dear, a P.I. hired by his family

1980

James Dallas Egbert III commits suicide

1981

Publication of fiction novel Mazes and Monsters by Rona Jaffe

1982

Suicide of Irving "Bink" Pulling

Mazes and Monsters made for T.V. movie airs, starring a young Tom Hanks

1983

Patricia Pulling sues her son's high school and TSR Hobbies, case thrown out of court

Patricia Pulling forms Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons (B.A.D.D.)

1984

Publication of The Dungeon Master: The Disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III by William Dear

--> Publication of Playing With Fire by John Weldon and James Bjornstad

Publication of Dark Dungeons by Jack Chick

1985

60 Minutes episode about Dungeons and Dragons airs, includes interviews with Gary Gygax and Patricia Pulling

1989

Publication of The Devil's Web by Patricia Pulling

1990

Publication of The Pulling Report by Michael Stackpole