The Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer: The Damocies Gulf Edition

Warhammer 40,000

by Matt Ralphs

Pocket book of the Imperial Guard styled in the form of an artefact of the 41st millennium. Contained within is a wealth of information describing tactics, combat, enemies, prayers and much more all couched in a tongue-in-cheek, pseudo-propagandist rhetoric. The book is filled with numerous sketches and diagrams to accompany the text. This second edition has additional sections on fighting in space and combating the alien Tau.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Fiction, Fantasy, Gaming

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Chris Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun cannot recommend enough to anyone who is interested in the imperial guard lore it was purely just vibes, but I was completely there for it. The book essentially is a how to manual for new recruits of the Imperial guard and goes over basically everything they need to know as a soldier with some very flavourful propaganda had a lot of detail the book makes you feel very a mass in its contents region for myself does a lot of moments where I was like yeah I can imagine this information being useful and the propaganda was hilarious to see

[Nadienne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is pure, unadulterated WarHammer 40,000 fluff at it's finest. Being an example of what the average Infantry Trooper would be exposed to from his officers, training, etc., one can find no better.

[Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never take anything too seriously, especially Warhammer 40k. This infantry guidebook of the 41st millennium proves just that.
Filled to the brim with propaganda, lies and bureaucratic death traps, this is sure to bring a smile to any reader who knows his or her 40K.
Don't think for a second that this is in any way useful in games of warhammer 40k, use it as a prop for RPG seasons and such instead.

[Darko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book very much, it has a lot of good information for an upstarting Imperial Guardsman.

[Dev S · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing, tongue in cheek manual for the aspiring grunt in the adeptus militarum. One for the 40k fans

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always did prefer Warhammer 40k back when it was more satirical and didn't take itself too seriously.

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books contains information about tactics, combat, enemies, prayers and much more in a pseudo-propaganda book. It’s full of sketches and diagrams. This is a reprint of an older book published in 2003 called The Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer. It has some added material to the original work. (Fighting in space and combating the alien Tau, thus the phrase "Damocles Gulf Edition" added to the title (Damocles Crusade was a crusade against the Tau). This is a famously over-the-top harsh propaganda style intensely amusing and a must-buy to any 40k fan (mainly Imperial Guard enthusiast).

It’s full of dark humor in it, specially the penalties for infractions.
If you have interests in military or been one yourself you will recognize the design and I think you will enjoy even more.

The fonts used in this edition are my only complain. I wear glasses and to read this you will need magnifying glassYou are not going to read this book from cover to cover. That’s for sure. I doubt you will read this book more than a couple of times. But it sure looks nice in my bedroom.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A totally in-universe document, this is the publication that anyone serving in the Imperial Guard has to carry and produce on demand on pain of death. Includes a basic rundown of the equipment, duties, and possible foes of an Imperial Guardsman (or woman). The parts detailing the 40k-specific equipment and tactics I found interesting. The parts detailing, for example, guard duty I found less so - it's amusing to think guard duty hasn't changed in 38,000 years, but I don't necessarily need to read three pages about it to get the point. My favorite part is the description of the enemies that may be faced, which are shamelessly falsified to instill confidence; Thus, fearsome armored battlesuits become in this telling ineffective suits of brittle armor given to "warriors who are even more cowardly than their compatriots, and who refuse to enter combat without maximum protection". I also enjoyed the little drawings of the types of Guardsmen who are to be shot after getting corrupted with warp travel. Recommended if you can find a cheap copy.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I said for the first edition:

Written as if it were actually a handbook for Imperial Guard soldiers in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 setting, the book is a bit too "Catch 22," even for the dark nature of the setting. Even the most minor infractions seem to carry the death penalty, which fits the setting, but it just seems to take things a bit too far.

This isn't a big problem if you're just reading it for a bit of fun, but makes it much less useful as inspiration for one of the Warhammer 40,000 RPGs. It can still make a decent prop for them.

The second edition adds several pages on the Damocles Gulf and the Tau, which weren't in the setting when the first edition was written.

[Paolo Zanella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un folle esperimento di meta-libro. Questo Primer è in realtà un manualetto che viene fornito alle Guardie Imperiali dell'ambientazione fantasy/sci-fi di Warhammer 40k.
E' divertentissimo immergersi nell'assolutismo dell'Imperium, governato da una religione onnipresente e da un regime che tiene a freno con un corto guinzaglio tutti i suoi componenti.

Un po' caro il prezzo per un libro così piccolo, ma l'edizione è davvero curata.

Incomprensibile per chi non sia addentro all'ambientazione.

Consigliato a: gli appassionati dell'ambientazione di Warhammer 40k

In sintesi: "Remember, you are being watched"

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the section on what to do if you are caught behind enemy lines:

"Without the presence of your comrades you will not have the benefits of other eyes to search for the enemy for you, you will not have the benefit of supporting fire and all the venom and violence ofthe enemy will be focused on you alone. However you will also have the chance to prove to yourself, your comrades, your superiors and the Immortal Emperor the strength in your heart.

Addendum -- It is imperitive that you try and locate friendly units. Failure to do this may result in execution for desertion. "

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written as if it were actually a handbook for Imperial Guard soldiers in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 setting, the book is a bit too "Catch 22," even for the dark nature of the setting. Even the most minor infractions seem to carry the death penalty, which fits the setting, but it just seems to take things a bit too far.

This isn't a big problem if you're just reading it for a bit of fun, but makes it much less useful as inspiration for one of the Warhammer 40,000 RPGs. It can still make a decent prop for them.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand the need for thoroughness in a simulated field guide, but half the book is basic tactics, kit-care, etc. that you might find in a modern, 21st century infantry guidebook. With a few short exceptions, only the second half of the book is actually worth reading!

[Daniel Ström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool book with info on what the guard is reading ^^

[Ben S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great "book" for Warhammer 40K fans.

[Larry Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this a must read for any fan of the imperial Guard!

[Aleksi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If not taken too seriously this is a fairly entertaining read.