So I've been reading. I don't go in for New Year Resolutions, but if I did this year's would have been to make more time to read. I'm pleased to say that I managed it in January. I read David Crane, Empires of the Dead, the story of Sir Fabian Ware and the early years of the Imperial Wargraves Commission, which was really an interesting read. I'm also reading Room 40, the fascinating account of the RN's codebreaking section in WWI and re-reading The Hobbit (sadly alternating chapters with a commentary - Corey Olsen's Exploring JRR Tolkein's 'The Hobbit'). As my copy of The Hobbit is falling apart, on Monday I used a Christmas book-token to upgrade to a fancy hardback edition, along with other goodies.
As those who have chosen to follow Diplomatist Books' blog will know, yesterday I got a delivery of books from the History of Wargaming Project. I couldn't resist starting Over Open Sights, which is about naval wargaming between 1873-1904 - the transistion of naval thinking in this period is one of my particular interests.
I'm not alone in this of course, Bob Cordery over at the Wargaming Miscellany has been play testing these nineteenth century rules and tweaking his Portable Naval Wargame. I must say that I'm inspired to see if I can do any solo wargaming with ironclads. The cost of tiny ships being what it is, I shall be going with some of the downloads from the Junior General - they have a nice selection of ironclads there, a great resource.
From a fellow insomnia sufferer, my sympathies for last night.
ReplyDeleteAt our club we use some rules for ironclads that were home-brewed by a member. They are pretty good; although a touch complex at first glance, they play smoothly and reasonably intuitively.
Thanks Tamsin.
DeleteMuch empathy on the insomnia front. It can be very trying as I know well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing me towards the book on naval warfare. I may well invest in a copy!
All the best
James
Ditto re insomnia comments. I rise every weekday at 5.30 and read blogs/blog until I leave for my train at 6.00 to work.It is a good start to a day with a cafetiere of coffee.
ReplyDeleteSleep can be an elusive beast.
ReplyDeleteI was wide awake at 4:30am this morning and went to my desk to do some academic work. Sleep seems less needful to me as I get older, though a 30min catnap during the day, when possible, is a boon.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved the Hobbit, and for that reason have thus far refused to see the Peter Jackson movies.
No, I haven't seen them either.
DeleteI couldn't see it. Blogger seem to have done away with it in favour of the follow on Google+ widget.
ReplyDeleteMust have been a strange coincidence last night. Our little one and my wife were sleepless as well this very night and - of course - let me participate...
ReplyDeleteMy sympathy is with you and hope you got a snatch of sleep last night.
All the best
Stefan
Cheers Loki, done.
ReplyDelete