The adventures of an 18th century imagination, located in Northern Europe formerly ruled over by joint rulers Duke Karl Frederick and Duchess Liv.Not to mention the American colony of Ny Tradgardland the 17th century Colony of New Tradgardstadt and the newly restored territory of the Shetland Isles.
Featuring a supporting bill of gaming in a diversity of times,places and scales.Hopefully something to interest all who pop by...
Thursday, 17 June 2021
One book challenge
If you were to be transported to a desert island and allowed to take only one hobby related book what would it be and why? No kindles etc allowed, no where to recharge them btw.
Definitely Duffy's "Fight For A Throne", the 'bible' of the '45. Or if more precisely wargames related, Featherstone's "Wargames Campaigns", the start of so many dreams. Ronnie
Jim, I think that "How To Survive On A Desert Island With Only One Wargames Related Book" is the only title not produced by at least one former member of the SAS. Ronnie
I still have my SAS survival guide on the bookshelf, every thing you need to know. Published 1986 by John Wiseman I think. Also got the Urban one too, great reads.
As you have said "hobby related" it would have to be Charles Grant "The Wargame" with "Charge" as a close second. Would have to spend a lot of time whittling 50 figure regiments out of wood!
In the original film version of The Time Machine by BY Wells the intriguing question of "what three books would you take to restart civilisation?" is posed at the end - you could at least have given us the same option! ;-)
Another vote for Duffy here. The Military Experience in the Age of Reason. My favourite read. It’s a decent length to. I like the Wargame and the War Game but they’re a bit too brief and the pictures would make me pine too much for the old life.
A difficult questions since there are so many hobby related titles. But if it had to be just one, then Charge! Or How to Play War Games by Young and Lawford. Always a fun, interesting, and inspiring book to revisit.
I was going to say Preben Kannik's Military Uniforms of the World in Colour (Blandford) but it would probably have to be War Games 1962 by Donald Featherstone. A highly readable and encouraging writing style, three sets of classic rules, three game reports with photos and a rules appendix for Close Wars, all in one book. Space to make rules notes in the margins and end of chapters and even a couple of useful blank end pages to make paper soldiers and flags with, if you aren't making pebble armies on a giant sand table of an island ...
I think Charge!, yes. And even without minis, I could play on a literal sand table with NATO-marked unit cards cut from driftwood and marked with charcoal!
Wouldn't even need dice; I'd simply use average results and only tactics, ranges, etc would affect the outcome.
Definitely Duffy's "Fight For A Throne", the 'bible' of the '45. Or if more precisely wargames related, Featherstone's "Wargames Campaigns", the start of so many dreams.
ReplyDeleteRonnie
Currently rereading the Duffy, excellent work.
DeleteDon Featherstone's 'Wargames' - the book that got me going in the hobby .
ReplyDeleteSame here...
DeleteA great choice, still a good primer.
DeleteWould have to be a 'survival' book.
ReplyDeleteI think survival activities would rapidly become the 'new' hobby.
DeleteJim, I think that "How To Survive On A Desert Island With Only One Wargames Related Book" is the only title not produced by at least one former member of the SAS.
DeleteRonnie
Hi Ronnie. Now, if Les Stroud was a wargamer he would surely have written it by now. Jim.
DeleteI still have my SAS survival guide on the bookshelf, every thing you need to know. Published 1986 by John Wiseman I think. Also got the Urban one too, great reads.
DeleteAs you have said "hobby related" it would have to be Charles Grant "The Wargame" with "Charge" as a close second. Would have to spend a lot of time whittling 50 figure regiments out of wood!
ReplyDeleteIn the original film version of The Time Machine by BY Wells the intriguing question of "what three books would you take to restart civilisation?" is posed at the end - you could at least have given us the same option! ;-)
The whittling would pass the time well. Great choice of book. Three would have been too easy :)
DeleteThat's HG Wells......I hate text autocorrect!
ReplyDelete"Charge", preferably in the hardback original version.
ReplyDeleteHardback excellent choice as it could be used to fight off wild beasts:)
DeleteAnother vote for Duffy here. The Military Experience in the Age of Reason. My favourite read. It’s a decent length to. I like the Wargame and the War Game but they’re a bit too brief and the pictures would make me pine too much for the old life.
ReplyDeleteThat is such an excellent Duffy read. Lots of inspiration.
DeleteA difficult questions since there are so many hobby related titles. But if it had to be just one, then Charge! Or How to Play War Games by Young and Lawford. Always a fun, interesting, and inspiring book to revisit.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
Choose one Stokes! :)
DeleteHello there tradgardmastare,
ReplyDeleteThe Campaigns of Napoleon by David Chandler. I would improvise armies using pebbles!
All the best,
DC
Plenty of sand for a sand table too.
DeleteLove the image of pebble armies on a natural sand table!
DeleteMy copy of the Greenhill Napoleonic wars data book. With it you can recreate every battle, campaign and many smaller actions for the whole period.
ReplyDeleteSounds a plan !
DeleteDupuy and Dupuy - Encyclopedia of Military History. It'll keep me in projects for a few decades!
ReplyDeleteI had that years ago, had forgotten about it, it would be an excellent choice. Certainly loads to keep you busy.
DeleteI was going to say Preben Kannik's Military Uniforms of the World in Colour (Blandford)
ReplyDeletebut
it would probably have to be War Games 1962 by Donald Featherstone.
A highly readable and encouraging writing style, three sets of classic rules, three game reports with photos and a rules appendix for Close Wars, all in one book. Space to make rules notes in the margins and end of chapters and even a couple of useful blank end pages to make paper soldiers and flags with, if you aren't making pebble armies on a giant sand table of an island ...
An excellent visual treat versus a fantastic primer, decisions decisions!
DeleteOne Hour war-games or One hour skirmish war-games.
ReplyDeleteVery little carving of figures and they are not old school.
Good rules choices.
DeleteI would have to go with “Charge” as well. Although I’ve always been interested in miniatures, that was the book that got me into gaming.
ReplyDeleteCharge is such an excellent book, certainly fuel the daydreams so well.
DeleteI think Charge!, yes. And even without minis, I could play on a literal sand table with NATO-marked unit cards cut from driftwood and marked with charcoal!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't even need dice; I'd simply use average results and only tactics, ranges, etc would affect the outcome.
Excellent practical plan but I fear I would try to make dice or draw numbers pebbles from a palm frond bag.
DeleteElting "Swords around the Throne"
ReplyDeleteDifferent choice Duke but filled with such inspiration.
ReplyDelete