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The Wargaming Compendium
An extensive reference guide to the exciting hobby, for beginners as well as longtime players.
Wargaming is a fascinating, engrossing, and exciting pastime that encompasses a wide range of different talents. The average wargamer uses the skills of artist, designer, sculptor, illustrator, historian, librarian, researcher, mathematician, and creative writer, as well as the more obvious ones of general, admiral, or air marshal for large games, or perhaps lieutenant, commodore, or squadron leader for skirmishes.
Aside from calling upon many skills, wargaming also covers many aspects of combat, spanning the history of Earth. With science fiction gaming, we plunge into imagined worlds many thousands of years into the future, and a fantasy gamer, of course, deals with eons of imagined history, as anyone who has read The Lord of the Rings will know.
A wargamer may find themselves recreating an encounter between a handful of adversaries one day, or a massed battle involving perhaps hundreds of miniature troops the next. Moreover, it is possible to play wargames that recreate warfare on land, on sea, in the air, or even in outer space.
This book demonstrates the wonderfully varied hobby of wargaming with miniatures, looking at the broad scope of what it has to offer as well as detailed explanations of how to get involved, including comprehensive rules for gladiator combat, Wild West skirmishes, and the horse and musket era, as well as lots of advice for anyone new to wargaming.
Whether you're a complete newcomer to the hobby, or a veteran of many years, you'll find plenty in The Wargaming Compendium to entertain and inspire you.
Wargaming is a fascinating, engrossing, and exciting pastime that encompasses a wide range of different talents. The average wargamer uses the skills of artist, designer, sculptor, illustrator, historian, librarian, researcher, mathematician, and creative writer, as well as the more obvious ones of general, admiral, or air marshal for large games, or perhaps lieutenant, commodore, or squadron leader for skirmishes.
Aside from calling upon many skills, wargaming also covers many aspects of combat, spanning the history of Earth. With science fiction gaming, we plunge into imagined worlds many thousands of years into the future, and a fantasy gamer, of course, deals with eons of imagined history, as anyone who has read The Lord of the Rings will know.
A wargamer may find themselves recreating an encounter between a handful of adversaries one day, or a massed battle involving perhaps hundreds of miniature troops the next. Moreover, it is possible to play wargames that recreate warfare on land, on sea, in the air, or even in outer space.
This book demonstrates the wonderfully varied hobby of wargaming with miniatures, looking at the broad scope of what it has to offer as well as detailed explanations of how to get involved, including comprehensive rules for gladiator combat, Wild West skirmishes, and the horse and musket era, as well as lots of advice for anyone new to wargaming.
Whether you're a complete newcomer to the hobby, or a veteran of many years, you'll find plenty in The Wargaming Compendium to entertain and inspire you.
996 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2012
86 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 20, 2015
Bravo, Mr. Hyde. Nobody has written about the historical miniatures hobby since the days of Charles Allen and Donald Featherstone. In a big, lovely hardcover, Mr. Hyde describes the hobby of historical miniatures wargaming, in lavish color pictures, and concise prose. This book is aimed at the casual hobbyist who has limited exposure to the historical miniatures hobby. Mr. Hyde starts with the fundamentals of miniatures, scale, painting and terrain, and builds upon the foundation to give the beginner a decent exposure to wargaming. As he has demonstrated in his position as editor of Battlegames magazine, mr. Hyde conveys his enthusiasm for the subject with patience and a gentle sense of humor. Highly recommended.
March 29, 2019
This book presents a general overview of the miniature wargaming hobby. This book is an excellent introduction and is very thorough. The author presents 3 complete rulesets, one for gladiator combat, one for old west games, and one for horse and musket warfare. He also gives some great advice for how to start in the hobby. He as convinced me to try out some armies in 1/72 scale plastic figures. He talks about all aspects of the hobby, and was very complementary towards Games Workshop. The tone of the book was positive and I enjoyed it.
February 25, 2024
I've played a few wargames in my time.
Mostly during my younger (teenage) years.
This is very much aimed at that younger market, also very much with the assumption that it is mainly a male pursuit.
It may be. Equally, it may not be.
Anyway, this acts as essentially a 'primer', and also focuses on Miniatures Wargames over the paper-and-plexiglass counterparts.
Picked up a few things from reading it, but not one I'd be rushing to re-read again anytime soon.
Mostly during my younger (teenage) years.
This is very much aimed at that younger market, also very much with the assumption that it is mainly a male pursuit.
It may be. Equally, it may not be.
Anyway, this acts as essentially a 'primer', and also focuses on Miniatures Wargames over the paper-and-plexiglass counterparts.
Picked up a few things from reading it, but not one I'd be rushing to re-read again anytime soon.
July 20, 2017
This book really does have everything. Wargames history, types of model scale, periods of warfare, rules suggestions, scenarios, practical tips on building and painting models. 'Compendium' is a worthy name! As the blurb say's, a must for any gamer. Very glad I picked it up.
September 29, 2019
Very comprehensive
A wonderful resource for those who have some knowledge of military miniatures and an excellent introduction for those who don’t. Links to websites galore included. A fabulous reference.
A wonderful resource for those who have some knowledge of military miniatures and an excellent introduction for those who don’t. Links to websites galore included. A fabulous reference.
August 8, 2025
Great Resource
Remains an essential reference for all genres of war gaming. Much useful information for both beginners and old-hands. Has maintained relevance despite a hobby where change is frequent.
Remains an essential reference for all genres of war gaming. Much useful information for both beginners and old-hands. Has maintained relevance despite a hobby where change is frequent.
November 29, 2022
A stimulating read!
This is a thrilling and inclusive read which sets the imagination free. Breathes new life into the hobby and would encourage anyone to give it a try.
This is a thrilling and inclusive read which sets the imagination free. Breathes new life into the hobby and would encourage anyone to give it a try.
May 2, 2015
A very substantial tome and soon to be a classic text of the hobby. A book about wargaming in the vein of Featherstone and Grant, the Compendium truly is compendious. There are multiple sets of rules, advice on how to get started in the hobby, figures painting (the section on horse colours is particularly good) and lots more.
If you're wondering what to get that grubby looking nephew for his birthday - look no further. I donated a copy to my old school's library and it was stolen shortly there after. High praise indeed.
If you're wondering what to get that grubby looking nephew for his birthday - look no further. I donated a copy to my old school's library and it was stolen shortly there after. High praise indeed.
February 8, 2016
A thoroughly excellent book that covers a great amount of detail in good humour. Well worth the time of you are at all interested in the war gaming hobby.
June 9, 2014
Will post on Portland Book Review first in July 2014
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews