Fantasy Wargaming by Martin Hackett - a review of sorts.

[phreedh]

Just thought I should mention that I recently purchased and have now written some thoughts on the book "Fantasy Wargaming - games with magic & monsters" by Martin Hackett.



It's not exactly a serious review, just an overview of the book and some thoughts on it. Had I seen a similar coverage of it, I would probably not have purchased it. =)

Aaanyways, read more here: http://ministuff.godzilla.se/?post=19

I'll be following suite with a look at a few of the "Fantasy Miniatures" books from Citadel, covering Golden Demon entries from 1989 and 1990 respectively (anyone got an 1988 edition for sale?), as well as a few other old books from the same period.

[Funghy-Fipps]

They used to have this book in the local town Library when I was a nipper.  I think I must have taken it out at least half a dozen times, which just goes to show what a poor library it was! 

[Thantsants]

I dunno - mine just had fighting fantasy (much to the distaste of various primary school teachers that taught me!) in the way of fantasy stuff. Actually they must have had most of the range which was pretty cool!

Phreedh - nice writeup and sorry if you've mentioned your blog before but that's the first time I've been to it! How ignorant of me - posted a link on my blog but I couldn't see an option to follow it?

You've saved me a few quid - at least until you reveal the magic of the Citadel books in your library! 

[General Roos]

Thanks for the review phreedh. I´m collecting old wargaming rules like Featherstone´s and Wesencrafts collected works, but but I think I will skip this one. 

[Barry S]

I was one of those who bought this 1990 and did indeed think it was the "dog's danglies" (love the term   ) at the time.

That said, any book I could find in town back then that showed toy soldiers being played in a way which resembled wargaming as such was the "dog's danglies" 

[phreedh]

Glad you appreciated the post guys! =)

Thantsants, there's no option to add yourself as a follower as I don't use a google related system. You should be able to add me to your blog list by editing your own blog settings. My wife uses blogger and she has done just that. No idea how, though... I'm sure you'll figure it out. =)

Leafed through the 1989 Fantasy Miniatures book yesterday. Oh, the good old days. =)

[rob_the_robgoblin]

I think I have a copy of the 88 one, I picked it up in a second hand bookshop, then took it home to find half the pictures had been cut out! 

Interesting review, I saw this book at WMMS, along with 5 or 6 more copies, on one guys stand which were all signed. I wondered if it was him!
I don't own it, but a friend of mine had it and thought it was the dogs bollocks.

I'd pick it up if I saw it in a discount shop.

[phreedh]

I think I have a copy of the 88 one, I picked it up in a second hand bookshop, then took it home to find half the pictures had been cut out! 

Arse... that must've made your day =(

[JollyBob]

Now there's a blast from the past!

I've had this book for donkey's years - you're right, it's not that good. 

But it has a special place in my heart because even though the pictures are pretty poor as you say, they opened my eyes to a lot of manufacturers that weren't GW and made me realise that you can actually just make stuff up instead of buying overpriced sourcebooks and revised editions every few years.

True, the rules are unbeliveably messy and pointlessly complex in places, but it was the first time I'd seen anyone take a skaven head and stick it on a goblin's body, instantly creating a new troop type.

Hits the nostalgia button anyway, but I think most wargamers would (probably rightly) laugh at it these days.

[Doomsdave]

I never had that one.  When I read the thread I thought it was about this one, which I did have as a kid.  It wasn't very good either if I recall. 

[dampfpanzerwagon]

I bought this book at a wargame show - many, many years ago.  I had mine signed by Martin Hackett and although I never thought much of the combat rules, I enjoyed the book.  Nice to see that others have fond memories - as I do.

Tony
http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/

[Funghy-Fipps]

From Phreedh's review:

The quality of most pictures is pretty poor. Black and white pictures of poorly painted and poorly based miniatures, or just bare metal miniatures. As previously mentioned, there are 8 colour pages in the centre of the book. A few of them are decent, others would have been splendid as a full page in landscape format. Most are of the author's own poorly painted collection.

I must have been a truly deprived child (gaming-wise, at least) because, although the rules went straight over my head, I found the pictures quite stirring, albeit in a DIY kinda way...   

...it has a special place in my heart because even though the pictures are pretty poor as you say, they opened my eyes to a lot of manufacturers that weren't GW and made me realise that you can actually just make stuff up instead of buying overpriced sourcebooks and revised editions every few years.

I guess that just about sums up my attitude too, JollyBob (and the Skaven head/goblin body interfacing was a revelation). 

Incidentally, has anybody ever tried to play the rules?  Phreedh, we demand a battle report with detailed breakdowns of the mechanics asap!

[Thantsants]

Haha - yeah forget the ease and simple elegance of SOBH - we want blood, sweat and tears both on the tabletop and from you trying to follow the rules! 

[phreedh]

I fully understand how some of you guys have a different relationship to (and appreciation of) the book than I do. Nostalgia is a powerful thing! As I said on my blog, had I owned this as a wee lad I'd been all over it and would probably have a higher opinion of the book now. =)

Funghy, I honestly don't see how that would be possible. The rules are a mess!

Does anyone have the newer version of the book, btw? If so, how much have changed?

[rob_the_robgoblin]

I don't think so, the books I saw at WMMS looked pretty 'fresh', but exactly the same.

A little too much at £30 a piece for a nostalgia trip.

Yeah, that 88 fantasy miniatures book really was a kick in the teeth, I think it was 2 or 3 quid, so I was onto thinking I had a bargain!