Peter Reuss
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2005
- Messages
- 3,775
This was forwarded to Shannon by the author (a Treefrog customer who had Shannon for tea earler today in London):
Almost 100 years ago, HG Wells published Little Wars, the
book generally conceded to be the birth of the modern wargaming
hobby. Simple, almost child-like, it was the innocent beginning of
what would become a hobby industry noted for ever increasing
complexity--but not necessarily greater fun.
Then, along came Padre Paul Wright, Senior Chaplain of the
London District and Chaplain of the Household Division. He and his
fellow "Funny Little Warriors" blew the dust off Wells' work and
have
brought back a game of great charm that recaptures the child-like
(but never "childish") directness of the original, but has added so
very much more that keeps the game a challenge.
Funny Little Wars has been written for use with 54mm (1/32)
scale miniatures to be played with on the lawn, as surely as Wells
himself did in those golden summers prior to 1914. Then as now, the
game calls for the use of spring loaded cannon firing matchsticks,
but unlike the original, FLW allows for Infantry and Cavalry fire,
too.
The Basic Rules only occupy some 10 pages of the book, but
the Optional Rules take another 24 pages. Players are encouraged at
every turn of a page to find their own comfort level, and to flee
from complexity from its own sake.
Funny Little Wars is also an introduction to that most
remarkable man himself, Herbert George Wells. Padre Wright has
placed Wells and his game in the context of his times and his avowed
Fabian Socialism. Readers will learn some things that might surprise
them on several points!
But more than a set of rules, FLW is about latter
day "Edwardian Style Wargames in the Garden For the Better Sort of
Chap," and a slice of Heaven it is. Players are given ideas on the
proper way to dress for the day, address one another, what to drink
and eat during play. The Padre's own Wife, Georgina, writes of how
to prepare that all important Dinner for the Chaps after the toy
soldiers have gone back into their boxes (or even the Fortnum's
Hamper).
And--lest we forget!--there are the toy soldiers themselves.
The object of our attentions since the world was young, you will see
remarkable photos of coverted figures, rare pieces and some so
inexpensive as to make gamers in 28mm feel something like remorse.
Sources for figures--priced for Collectors, or for the rest
of us--are provided, as is all manner of advice on how to find and
prepare the figures you will want for your own Army.
Oh yes, and there are 12 pages of Army Lists to choose
from, "Color Coded"--as was Wells' practice--to be "Army
Red," "Army
Blue," "Army Black," etc, yet all definitely have familiar
features
that allow one to find its historical counterpart. Except, perhaps,
for Ruritania and the Grand Duchy of Gerolstein!
And there are still more features that would make this
the "last word" in 54mm lawn games--except that the Campaign Book and
the Imperialist/Colonial Supplements are already in development!
Here's The Deal
The book is printed in 8.5" x 11" format, 118 pages, full
color covers and a special section of photos with figures and games
in play. Accessories include four two-sided, card stock Quick
Reference Sheets (one for the Basic Game, one for the Optional Rules,
one for the optional Field Hospital, and one Sequence of Play Sheet
for the Umpire). There are also two card stock sheets of Unknown
Terrain Effects Cards, a Unit Record Card sheet, 2 Casualty Marker
Sheets in color, a Medical Officer's Hospital Log, and a page of
Signal Sheets. All may be photocopied for personal use.
The Subscription offer is as follows:
1) Pre-Publication Price: $30.00 USD, saving $10.00 off the
projected retail price of $40.00. Please add $7.00 for domestic
Postage, and $14.00 for Overseas, Mexico, and Canada.
2) The Subscribers' names will appear on the Role of Honor
printed in all copies of the initial printing.
3) Each Subscriber's copy will be personally numbered,
inscribed, and autographed by the Author.
Copies may be reserved ONLY by E-mailing
TVAG@worldnet.att.net to reserve copies. Please be sure to provide
your mailing address (or at least the country where your copy will be
sent.) Please, do NOT send payment when reserving your copy!
4) When called for, payment may be by personal check (payable
in U.S. funds), money order, or PayPal. (Please note that due to
escalating costs, PayPal users are requested to add an additional
$1.50 to each order to defray that service's charges against the
seller.)
The Subscription period closes at Midnight (CDT), November
30, 2008, OR as soon as the minimum number of 40 sets have been
reserved, whichever comes first. Previous experience suggests the
Subscription will be full within the first few days, but notice will
be posted shortly before it closes.
Only when the minimum number of copies has been Subscribed
will buyers be notified and funds actually requested. Some extra
copies may be sold above the minimum number to accommodate those who
might otherwise just miss their chance.
Upon the Subscription's close, Quality POD will once more
print the books, and copies mailed directly to the Subscribers by
TVAG immediately upon their return from the Printers. Those of you
who have seen the printing work of Mr. Don Perrin and Ms. Kathy
Plamback already know their high standard of quality.
From close of the Subscription to receipt of copies should be
about three weeks, more or less, depending on the Printer's job
schedule, but the intention is to have them at least in the mails
before Christmas.
Funny Little Wars will be available in PDF form ready for
self printing on one CD, for $25.00, plus $7.00 postage. Each CD is
inscribed to the buyer and comes with full color labels.
For yourself or another wargamer, here is your chance to feel
like a kid again, when the hobby was new, and all things in it were
possible!
Almost 100 years ago, HG Wells published Little Wars, the
book generally conceded to be the birth of the modern wargaming
hobby. Simple, almost child-like, it was the innocent beginning of
what would become a hobby industry noted for ever increasing
complexity--but not necessarily greater fun.
Then, along came Padre Paul Wright, Senior Chaplain of the
London District and Chaplain of the Household Division. He and his
fellow "Funny Little Warriors" blew the dust off Wells' work and
have
brought back a game of great charm that recaptures the child-like
(but never "childish") directness of the original, but has added so
very much more that keeps the game a challenge.
Funny Little Wars has been written for use with 54mm (1/32)
scale miniatures to be played with on the lawn, as surely as Wells
himself did in those golden summers prior to 1914. Then as now, the
game calls for the use of spring loaded cannon firing matchsticks,
but unlike the original, FLW allows for Infantry and Cavalry fire,
too.
The Basic Rules only occupy some 10 pages of the book, but
the Optional Rules take another 24 pages. Players are encouraged at
every turn of a page to find their own comfort level, and to flee
from complexity from its own sake.
Funny Little Wars is also an introduction to that most
remarkable man himself, Herbert George Wells. Padre Wright has
placed Wells and his game in the context of his times and his avowed
Fabian Socialism. Readers will learn some things that might surprise
them on several points!
But more than a set of rules, FLW is about latter
day "Edwardian Style Wargames in the Garden For the Better Sort of
Chap," and a slice of Heaven it is. Players are given ideas on the
proper way to dress for the day, address one another, what to drink
and eat during play. The Padre's own Wife, Georgina, writes of how
to prepare that all important Dinner for the Chaps after the toy
soldiers have gone back into their boxes (or even the Fortnum's
Hamper).
And--lest we forget!--there are the toy soldiers themselves.
The object of our attentions since the world was young, you will see
remarkable photos of coverted figures, rare pieces and some so
inexpensive as to make gamers in 28mm feel something like remorse.
Sources for figures--priced for Collectors, or for the rest
of us--are provided, as is all manner of advice on how to find and
prepare the figures you will want for your own Army.
Oh yes, and there are 12 pages of Army Lists to choose
from, "Color Coded"--as was Wells' practice--to be "Army
Red," "Army
Blue," "Army Black," etc, yet all definitely have familiar
features
that allow one to find its historical counterpart. Except, perhaps,
for Ruritania and the Grand Duchy of Gerolstein!
And there are still more features that would make this
the "last word" in 54mm lawn games--except that the Campaign Book and
the Imperialist/Colonial Supplements are already in development!
Here's The Deal
The book is printed in 8.5" x 11" format, 118 pages, full
color covers and a special section of photos with figures and games
in play. Accessories include four two-sided, card stock Quick
Reference Sheets (one for the Basic Game, one for the Optional Rules,
one for the optional Field Hospital, and one Sequence of Play Sheet
for the Umpire). There are also two card stock sheets of Unknown
Terrain Effects Cards, a Unit Record Card sheet, 2 Casualty Marker
Sheets in color, a Medical Officer's Hospital Log, and a page of
Signal Sheets. All may be photocopied for personal use.
The Subscription offer is as follows:
1) Pre-Publication Price: $30.00 USD, saving $10.00 off the
projected retail price of $40.00. Please add $7.00 for domestic
Postage, and $14.00 for Overseas, Mexico, and Canada.
2) The Subscribers' names will appear on the Role of Honor
printed in all copies of the initial printing.
3) Each Subscriber's copy will be personally numbered,
inscribed, and autographed by the Author.
Copies may be reserved ONLY by E-mailing
TVAG@worldnet.att.net to reserve copies. Please be sure to provide
your mailing address (or at least the country where your copy will be
sent.) Please, do NOT send payment when reserving your copy!
4) When called for, payment may be by personal check (payable
in U.S. funds), money order, or PayPal. (Please note that due to
escalating costs, PayPal users are requested to add an additional
$1.50 to each order to defray that service's charges against the
seller.)
The Subscription period closes at Midnight (CDT), November
30, 2008, OR as soon as the minimum number of 40 sets have been
reserved, whichever comes first. Previous experience suggests the
Subscription will be full within the first few days, but notice will
be posted shortly before it closes.
Only when the minimum number of copies has been Subscribed
will buyers be notified and funds actually requested. Some extra
copies may be sold above the minimum number to accommodate those who
might otherwise just miss their chance.
Upon the Subscription's close, Quality POD will once more
print the books, and copies mailed directly to the Subscribers by
TVAG immediately upon their return from the Printers. Those of you
who have seen the printing work of Mr. Don Perrin and Ms. Kathy
Plamback already know their high standard of quality.
From close of the Subscription to receipt of copies should be
about three weeks, more or less, depending on the Printer's job
schedule, but the intention is to have them at least in the mails
before Christmas.
Funny Little Wars will be available in PDF form ready for
self printing on one CD, for $25.00, plus $7.00 postage. Each CD is
inscribed to the buyer and comes with full color labels.
For yourself or another wargamer, here is your chance to feel
like a kid again, when the hobby was new, and all things in it were
possible!