What are you currently reading ?

[Leman]

Wainwright's Lake District Tour, Whitsuntide 1931 - the great man's second only visit to the Lakes. Lots of colour photos and Wainwright's original penned ink maps and drawings. Very pleasant break from military history.

[kipt]

Finished "The Last Throw Of The Dice: Bourbaki and Werder In Eastern France 1870-71" by Quintin Barry.

I like his books on the FPW.  Good detail and color.  I didn't like the maps in this volume; too many places named that are not on the maps.  Plus, not enough of the fights are illustrated for me.

But, good narrative and well researched.

[Chris Pringle]

I didn't like the maps in this volume; too many places named that are not on the maps.

That's something that always bugs me too. Consequently I was determined not to make the same mistake in my own book, "Napoleon's 1796 Italian campaign".
https://www.amazon.com/Napoleons-1796-Italian-Campaign-Clausewitz/dp/070062676X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1537000807&sr=1-2&keywords=murray+pringle
However, when Nick and I came to do the maps - of which there are plenty - we just found it impossible to fit in every little village and hamlet that was mentioned in the text. I therefore now have more sympathy for other authors who've found the same.

Chris

Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/

[fsn]

I'm reading Stephen Fry's "Mythos" retelling the tales of Greek Gods and Titans.

Being Stephen Fry, it's a suavely written tome; erudite but accessible. As I read, I can hear him narrate.




I have a question for my fellow historical gamers. If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?

[FierceKitty]

Stephen Fry for Emperor (and Richard Dawkins for Pope)!

[FierceKitty]

I have a question for my fellow historical gamers. If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?

Certainly. What's annoying in LAF, in fact, is their way of treating such things as ancients.

[Techno]

I have a question for my fellow historical gamers. If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?

Damn good question, Nobby.

I'd agree with Kitty....In that yes...it is fantasy gaming....Though in some respects I'd almost be tempted to call it 'Mythical gaming'.

Cheers - Phil

[Chris Pringle]

I have a question for my fellow historical gamers. If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?

In our club there is something of a divide between the 'historical' end of the hall and the tournament gamers. Although I certainly don't wish to sneer at anyone's hobby, occasionally the historicals have been known to make sceptical remarks about tournament games that seem to portray little-known conflicts such as Vikings vs Aztecs or the Afrika Korps civil war, or querying the inclusion of T-34/57s (total production run ~10?) in a standard tournament army list. After one snide comment too many, one of the tournament gamers retaliated with "it's all fantasy anyway".

So perhaps a question for my fellow gamers of whatever ilk: does it all become Fantasy gaming, even my most rigorously researched scenario to recreate the Second Battle of Komarom, as soon as the first dice are rolled and the action diverges from history?

Chris

Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/

[Ithoriel]

I occasionally throw Humbaba into my Sumerian games - I still consider them historical.

But then I'd contend that all of our games that allow for a non-historical outcome are fantasy to a greater or lesser degree.

[KTravlos]

All games are models. All models are simplification of reality. Thus I would say there is variation in what our games capture from reality. Fantasy games simply reduce that to the bare minimum.

[Steve J]

I've started a 'The Pikemen's Lament' campaign recently and I might use some 'fantasy' elements to reflect the hysteria surrounding Salem at the time of the Witch Trials etc. For myself it adds a little bit of fun and some unusual detail. It works for me, which is what really counts, but others may disagree, as is their wont.

[Matt J]

I think if it feasibly could have happened with a slight diversion in history then it could be historical - so DAK v DAK, why not, rogue elements throwing their lot with the allies or something. Vikings V Aztecs, why not, they made it north america why not further south.
In fact I kind've like these ideas and alternative history (big fan of The Man in the High Castle).

Mythical creatures has got to be fantasy though.

[Ithoriel]

Mythical creatures has got to be fantasy though.

Bah! Humbaba is real ... we have written evidence

[fsn]

I go part the way to Fantasy with Greek and Norse games. I use 25/28mm Gods standing behind a unit to show they have curried a God's pleasure, or incurred the wrath of a Goddess.

I rationalise this by saying "Apollo put strength in their hearts" as "+1 morale", "Artemis guides his aim" = "+2 to hit". They can look quite impressive.

I've never gone full myth though. Might have to browse the catalogue ... y'know ... just to see what's there.

[Westmarcher]

I've never gone full myth though. Might have to browse the catalogue ... y'know ... just to see what's there.

Well, good luck, Nobby.   Many have tried but still, to this day, no-one has found ...... the mything link!

Be sure and let us know if you do.

[Steve J]

Oh deary me, time to get your coat

[Raider4]

If I game Ancient Greek myths - with harpies, and centaurs and a cyclops ... all used in their proper mythical context ... is it Fantasy gaming?

There's a can of worms you've just opened . . .

As someone has probably already said, as soon as you throw the first dice you're into fantasy to some extent.

I tend to look at things as to how possible they are/were. There's four 'levels', I reckon:

Possible - e.g. Nazi invasion of Britain - certainly possible but we know it didn't happen. Or cold-war-gone-hot.

Possible, but highly unlikely - aforementioned Vikings vs. Aztecs.

Impossible, but using realistic armies - William's Normans vs. Pompey's Legions? (most likely to be found at an event, I think?)

Complete fantasy - Lizardmen vs. Dwarves, Orcs vs. Elves, etc.

Cheers, M.
--

[Leman]

Where do Leonardo's inventions, used in an Italian Wars game, fit in.

[FierceKitty]

This style of reasoning would seriously worry me in a hospital. "There's no such thing as perfect sterility. Surgeons will therefore no longer be required to wash hands before cutting."

[Womble67]

Historical Study: Small Unit Actions During the German Campaign in Russia.

Take care

Andy