Someone mentioned one of the books recently discussed here and or the Man of Tin blog as a book to take to a desert island. This put me in mind to ask what five books would you take to a desert island? You are welcome to list them and/or give reasons for your choice too, it is up to you. I’ll have a think also and post mine here in a day or so. I look forward to hearing from you..
A question I often ponder.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, my parents had a large book on their shelves called "100 Great Books in Outline" which did what it said on the cover, Things like the Nibelungenleid through the Scarlet Letter to early 20th century titles (it must have been a 1950s book). Readers Digest condensed book style entries and where I read most of the classics in my youth.
ReplyDeleteI'd also include, in no particular order, The Destruction of Lord Raglan by Christopher Hibbert, The Swordbearers by Corelli Barnet, Men of Waterloo by John Sutherland, The March of the Twentysix by R.F.Delderfield and A Bridge too Far by Cornelius Ryan.
Tricky - From my library My list would include Michael mallets mercenaries and their masters, charge by lawford and young, anatomy of glory the imperial guard by lachoque or napoleons campaigns by West Point. Would I include rulebooks? If so either advanced wargames by featherstone, grid gaming by Mike smith or Neil Thomas’ wargaming an introduction. Decisions decisions……
ReplyDeleteEntirely from a wargamer's viewpoint: Tackle Model Soldiers This Way by Don Featherstone (the book which introduced me to wargaming), Wargames, Little Wars, Charge! One Hour Wargames.
ReplyDeleteHello Brian - Tackle Model Soldiers This Way by Featherstone is an excellent choice, if you didn’t happen to find his War Games book with you on the desert island, you have rules, enthusiasm and mention of early Airfix 1960s releases ... https://manoftinblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/15/featherstone-simple-ww2-rules/
DeleteHmm. Only five books ...
ReplyDelete1. War Games by Donald Featherstone 1962 for its readable style, rules, enthusiasm and Close Wars rules appendix
2. Military Uniforms Of the World in Colour by Preben Kannik
3. Little Wars by H G Wells 1913 version with those charming marginal illustrations
4. Mixed Train Daily by Lucius Beebe for that ACW blast of railways, landscape and Americana https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2022/03/03/dmz-no-4-dmz-book-choice-for-world-book-day/
5. The Great Book Of Britains by James Opie
Or if that’s not available an Airfix catalogue c. 1979/80?
Failing that, Ideally a working colour photocopier stocked with white card, some glue and scissors or scalpel had also been mysteriously left on the island as well. If so, Peter Dennis’ Paperboys such as his Little Wars in 54mm would be a good choice ...
Alone on an island (and no opponent except one you make - “Wilson! Wilson!”) with only five books is a challenge.
DeleteI’m surprised I didn’t mention (and no one else has so far) sensible desert island solo wargaming book by Featherstone, although War Games 1962 has a short chapter on solo wargaming.
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Wot no mention of Stuart Asquith? His Military Modelling Guide to Wargaming (beginners guide) has lots of period info and period rules from Ancient to Modern along with Mil Mod figure sample eye candy, sadly only in B+W. Twinned with Asquith’s Solo Wargaming book with its back section of scenarios ...
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Are we having to improvise, whittle and forage to create and collect our ‘soldiers’, dice and terrain on the desert island?
I was anticipating that two armies (54mm hollow cast Britains) and a bucket of dice would be my luxuery item!
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