As a bit of a mad collector of all things Featherstone I'd say no, not really. It's a nice enough tome certainly, but it's more of a coffee table book. Being a "complete" book on wargaming it touches the surface of a lot of things but doesn't go into great depth on any. Just my 2c worth....
Like every list of the top ten anythings that's going to be open to interpretation. I guess mine would go something like this (in no particular order)...
Wargames, Featherstone Advanced War Games, Featherstone The War Game, Grant Wargame Tactics, Grant The Ancient War Game, Grant Charge! or How to Play War Games, Young Setting up a Wargames Campaign, Bath Little Wars, Wells How to Play War Games in Miniature, Morchauser Napoleon's Campaigns in Miniature, Quarrie
We don't play enough campaigns as gamers as a general rule and so we don't appreciate any of the logisitcal, strategic or other complications (and fun) that goes along with it. Battles are more often than not fought in isolation with no thought to keeping your force viable for tomorrow, resting tired troops, etc. etc. etc.
Note I didn't include that in my top ten but only because it isn't a "popular" choice. I think it's the best of his books.
Now this is where my naivety starts to come home to roost, insomuch as have yet to read any of those, although I recognise a lot of the titles - that said they will now be on a wish list of sorts, thank you.
Very enjoyable book. Nice!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the Holy Grail of Wargaming?
ReplyDeleteAs a bit of a mad collector of all things Featherstone I'd say no, not really. It's a nice enough tome certainly, but it's more of a coffee table book. Being a "complete" book on wargaming it touches the surface of a lot of things but doesn't go into great depth on any. Just my 2c worth....
DeleteI think you've the kernel of an interest post there - what ten wargaming books (as opposed to rules) would a mad collector want?
DeleteSo if you could one Featherstone, which would it be and why?
DeleteLike every list of the top ten anythings that's going to be open to interpretation. I guess mine would go something like this (in no particular order)...
DeleteWargames, Featherstone
Advanced War Games, Featherstone
The War Game, Grant
Wargame Tactics, Grant
The Ancient War Game, Grant
Charge! or How to Play War Games, Young
Setting up a Wargames Campaign, Bath
Little Wars, Wells
How to Play War Games in Miniature, Morchauser
Napoleon's Campaigns in Miniature, Quarrie
Let the arguments begin! :-)
@Mr Awdry it is Wargame Campaigns.
DeleteWe don't play enough campaigns as gamers as a general rule and so we don't appreciate any of the logisitcal, strategic or other complications (and fun) that goes along with it. Battles are more often than not fought in isolation with no thought to keeping your force viable for tomorrow, resting tired troops, etc. etc. etc.
Note I didn't include that in my top ten but only because it isn't a "popular" choice. I think it's the best of his books.
Now this is where my naivety starts to come home to roost, insomuch as have yet to read any of those, although I recognise a lot of the titles - that said they will now be on a wish list of sorts, thank you.
DeleteFeel free to peruse my LibraryThing. It lists my collection and my wishlist. Something like 100 in total.
Deletehttp://www.librarything.com/catalog/MikeyTheScouse
Wow! What a resource, I shall certainly be having a closer look at that, thank you!
DeleteWon't argue with the list, but I gave away three of those titles and had to buy them again. :O/
DeleteTop Ten Wargames books is an interesting survey. Michael, your list is definitely Old School. My Top Ten might look quite different!
Delete@Jonathan Freitag probably because I'm old myself and did once go to school...
DeleteGood to see that you feed your own addictions as well as others' addictions.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy
PD
Ooooo shiny!
ReplyDeletevery shiny.
ReplyDeleteI knew there'd be no keeping Millsy away from this topic, Featherstone is like grognard catnip!
ReplyDelete; )
Nice shiny!
ReplyDeleteThat's a book I'd love to have for my own collection.
ReplyDelete