Everyone, pretty much, has a book that got them wargaming. This one is mine, more or less.
The reason it's more or less is that prior to finding this book I wargamed as my big brother told me to, - he wrote the rules, he devised the games and so on.
In my first year at senior school I found this book in the school library (along with "Charge!", - which had much less influence). This book, which I had out almost constantly, launched me & my friend Derek off on writing our own rules and devising our own games,
And I just found a copy for £3 in an Age Concern bookshop.
Alas it isn't the original edition. That one looked like this, which frankly I prefer. I don't know how much changed in the 14 years between the two editions, - DF updated the appendices of wargame equipment suppliers, for example, but the ACW battle around a single wall in the middle of the table is still there.
I'm looking forward to wallowing in nostalgia with this one.
I may even read it on the train. See if I care what the other commuters think.
Like you this was a primary influence for me (the other was Wargames)... so much so that I have both versions, and am still intending to get a hard cover of the 1st version... sad... :o))
ReplyDeleteAaaah yes, that day in 1974 when I first picked up this book in my local library. That's where it all started for me! Great find. I would love to see this book again sometime.
ReplyDeleteI asked John Curry to have it reprinted in his "History of Wargaming" series. No word yet on progress, - although now of course I don't need it!
DeleteI had a copy of both editions on my bookshelves at one time ... and pretty good they were too.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy revisiting it.
All the best,
Bob
Can't believe you got rid of either of them Bob! BTW Are you interested in a contemporary book on the Ever Victorious Army? I bought it to do a game and never got round to it.
DeleteTrebian,
DeleteYes please! I will swop it for some SCW books at COW!
All the best,
Bob
It's not a book which started me off (although I certainly read it in my early days), but I do have a copy with the 'correct' cover on my shelf which I think I got from Oxfam in the 1980s.
ReplyDeleteCan we get together to compare contents, do you think?
Delete