- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: The History Press Ltd; 07 edition (21 Jun 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0750945729
- ISBN-13: 978-0750945721
- Product Dimensions: 24.8 x 17.2 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 568,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Re-fight some of the bloodiest battles of the ancient and medieval worlds! Seasoned wargamer and author Neil Thomas brings historical perspective to the hobby with a description and interpretation of significant military developments from 3,000BC to AD1500. Wargaming is the simulation of accurate historical battles using miniature figures to fight over three dimensional terrain, their movement and combat being regulated by clearly defined rules. Neil Thomas' new book provides specific coverage of ancient and medieval wargaming, thanks to its division into biblical, classical, Dark Age and medieval sections. Each section has its own set of rules and much expanded army lists. The wargamer gains additional perspective from data panels containing facts about weaponry, personalities and chroniclers, and quotations from original document sources. Useful suggestions for further reading are also included, while battle reports in each section provide tactical insights for both novice and veteran wargamers.
About the Author
A university and college lecturer, NEIL THOMAS was introduced to wargaming by his cousin at the age of twelve. He is the author of Wargaming: An Introduction (Sutton, 2005). Neil lives in Orpington, Kent.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I ordered my copy hoping for rules by a seasoned and experienced wargamer which provided some basis in reality; and I'm not too disappointed. Neil Thomas seems to have written a good book here, with each section providing sufficient historic detail to justify the general rules for each of his chosen periods (Biblical; Classical; Dark Age; and Medieval).
It's good background reading too, when it comes to the development of arms from period to period. When you have done your research like I did for the Crusades and then came to this book I found that a little flexibility enabled me to find what I wanted from his rules.
I believe it will be an excellent support to me as I start out.
An additional word about the army lists in this book:
If you've completed your own research into a period included in Neil's book then you will find that some are possibly shorter than you might expect, but this is because Neil Thomas has devised lists for wargamers so that they can fight an evenly matched battle (each army has 8 units) in the traditional manner for each national army (e.g., the English army of 100 years war has no mounted knights - they fight on foot). This is very fine for many players who want a fair fight.
But nevertheless even if you're more advanced then there is still something to be found by raiding another nations army list if your military decision making warrants it - after all the Black Prince decided to retain a small cavalry reserve as well as remounting his men at the battle of Poitiers.
Overall I'm very pleased with it.
It's good background reading too, when it comes to the development of arms from period to period. When you have done your research like I did for the Crusades and then came to this book I found that a little flexibility enabled me to find what I wanted from his rules.
I believe it will be an excellent support to me as I start out.
An additional word about the army lists in this book:
If you've completed your own research into a period included in Neil's book then you will find that some are possibly shorter than you might expect, but this is because Neil Thomas has devised lists for wargamers so that they can fight an evenly matched battle (each army has 8 units) in the traditional manner for each national army (e.g., the English army of 100 years war has no mounted knights - they fight on foot). This is very fine for many players who want a fair fight.
But nevertheless even if you're more advanced then there is still something to be found by raiding another nations army list if your military decision making warrants it - after all the Black Prince decided to retain a small cavalry reserve as well as remounting his men at the battle of Poitiers.
Overall I'm very pleased with it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book a few weeks ago as I am getting into historical wargaming and wanted a good professional guidebook to give me some ideas and rules to play by. In short it's very good, easy to understand for a beginner yet with plenty of detail and historical accuracy. I would thoroughly recommend it. I like the way the different eras of history are included and the detail on the armies of each period. As an aside the photographs of the painted armies themselves are fantastic, the skill of those who have painted them is very impressive and as I'm finding not easy to match! Can't really fault it so five stars.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Wow! Simple, not simplistic.
20 April 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Mr. Thomas Ancient and medieval Wargaming is about as good as it gets in wargames rules. The general period is subdivided into 5 sub-eras, all of which share generally similar mechanical rules. Around this frame the real joy of the book is constructed - period detail that is sensible, and dozens on dozens of army lists. What makes this combination different is that the rules can be easily understood by anyone, and yet there is considerable complexity - a complexity that comes from decision making, not rules generated minutia. You may wonder about what to do next, but you'll have no problems with 'how to' do it next. Likewise the rules make it plain that these are game rules - not simulations. It is refreshing to have a specific and carefully defined victory, not a 'We'll play until we're tired, or until our wives clear their throats one time too many...' In these rules there will be a winner and a loser in about two hours.
I've been a miniatures wargame for more than thirty years. This is the best twenty bucks I've ever spent!
I've been a miniatures wargame for more than thirty years. This is the best twenty bucks I've ever spent!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Great Book for Older Wargamers & Newbies.
16 Feb 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is great, I have dumped all my old wargmes rules and now am using this one extensively, it is simple enough for me to remember how to play when I like, unlike all my other sets, which I seem to have to re-read over and over again before being able to play again but not with this book nor his previous book Wargaming and Introduction, which is a very good as well, hope to see some more from Mr. Thomas soon I hope. Get this one if your tired of re-hashing complicated wargames everytime you wanna game.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Simple Perfection
9 Mar 2009
Format:Paperback
The perfect book for the jaded gamer. I had given up on this period and its all-encompassing rigid tournament based fiddly rules till I read A&M Wargaming. The basic mechanics are very simple and straightforward. What Neil does though, is he breaks down each distinct period (Biblical, Classical, Dark Ages, Medieval) by providing what is a vastly more simple, yet seemingly more accurate portrayal of the typical troop types and their interactions for that era. The players get to concentrate on making command decisions for the miniature army and not fighting over the rules.
Without a doubt they are simply the best introductory, multi-player, or convention rules availible. I encourage players and clubs to pick them up, and use them as a framework for their own home rules, adding just a little chrome here and there (command and control and expanded army lists really all that is needed) for the perfect set of Simple, Fun, yet eminently well researched and thought out rules.
Excellent Job Neil !
Without a doubt they are simply the best introductory, multi-player, or convention rules availible. I encourage players and clubs to pick them up, and use them as a framework for their own home rules, adding just a little chrome here and there (command and control and expanded army lists really all that is needed) for the perfect set of Simple, Fun, yet eminently well researched and thought out rules.
Excellent Job Neil !
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