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Little Wars
"Little A Game for Boys from Twelve Years of Age" is a book by H.G. Wells that outlines the rules for a tabletop war game played using toy soldiers, essentially creating a set of guidelines for miniature wargaming where players can set up battlefields and engage in strategic combat using simple rules for movement, firing, and hand-to-hand combat, all while exploring the tactical aspects of warfare through imaginative play
136 pages
First published January 1, 1913
72 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
H.G. Wells
5,302 books11.2k followersHerbert George Wells was born to a working class family in Kent, England. Young Wells received a spotty education, interrupted by several illnesses and family difficulties, and became a draper's apprentice as a teenager. The headmaster of Midhurst Grammar School, where he had spent a year, arranged for him to return as an "usher," or student teacher. Wells earned a government scholarship in 1884, to study biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Normal School of Science. Wells earned his bachelor of science and doctor of science degrees at the University of London. After marrying his cousin, Isabel, Wells began to supplement his teaching salary with short stories and freelance articles, then books, including The Time Machine (1895), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
Wells created a mild scandal when he divorced his cousin to marry one of his best students, Amy Catherine Robbins. Although his second marriage was lasting and produced two sons, Wells was an unabashed advocate of free (as opposed to "indiscriminate") love. He continued to openly have extra-marital liaisons, most famously with Margaret Sanger, and a ten-year relationship with the author Rebecca West, who had one of his two out-of-wedlock children. A one-time member of the Fabian Society, Wells sought active change. His 100 books included many novels, as well as nonfiction, such as A Modern Utopia (1905), The Outline of History (1920), A Short History of the World (1922), The Shape of Things to Come (1933), and The Work, Wealth and Happiness of Mankind (1932). One of his booklets was Crux Ansata, An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church. Although Wells toyed briefly with the idea of a "divine will" in his book, God the Invisible King (1917), it was a temporary aberration. Wells used his international fame to promote his favorite causes, including the prevention of war, and was received by government officials around the world. He is best-remembered as an early writer of science fiction and futurism.
He was also an outspoken socialist. Wells and Jules Verne are each sometimes referred to as "The Fathers of Science Fiction". D. 1946.
More: http://philosopedia.org/index.php/H._...
http://www.online-literature.com/well...
http://www.hgwellsusa.50megs.com/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/t...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._G._Wells
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 25, 2022
This little book sits at the root of the tree of all wargames and roleplaying games. It is a direct ancestor of tabletop games like Warhammer 40k, D&D and military board games. Its descendants also include most electronic titles, including Civilization, World of Warcraft, and Bioshock. This is the first book to encode rules for the free movement of military model figures, as opposed to the stylized restricted patterns of games like chess. This led to a wide movement of military wargaming, which led to Chainmail, which became Dungeons and Dragons, the progenitor of roleplaying games.
I have to say I'm confused by the poor reviews given to this book because it is a book about wargames and not a novel. Why did the reader read a book clearly about wargames if they wanted a novel?
I have to say I'm confused by the poor reviews given to this book because it is a book about wargames and not a novel. Why did the reader read a book clearly about wargames if they wanted a novel?
December 26, 2025
Toliko daleko sam otišao u Velsa da saznajem da je čovek samo sve ikad izmislio, pre nego što se zapravo desilo.
Someone recommend this book to Henry Cavill
Someone recommend this book to Henry Cavill
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November 30, 2011Free audiobook for Little Wars can be found at Librivox.org.
Little Wars is often attributed to being the first accounting of miniature wargaming (I don't use the word "tabletop" because H.G. Wells' version actually uses floors and furniture, rather than limiting the gaming surface to just the top of a table).
The book is primarily an instruction manual for how to enact a "Little War", with sidebars on the evolution and development of the rule set governing the details of battle and conclusion of the 'Little War'. That said, it is one of the most entertaining instruction manuals you will ever read, as Wells' humor and pacifistic nature bleeds through into the narratives and adds a level of satire to the idea of both children and men conducting grandiose campaigns of battle while crawling about on the floor of a living room, or outside on a front lawn.
The audiobook version was narrated by Librivox volunteer Mark Smith, who does an excellent job of bringing the narrative to life. I had a little bit of difficulty at certain points keeping the rules and explanations straight when I did not have the text in front of me, and supposedly I missed out on some very entertaining sketches and figures provided by Wells in the original publication. That said, I really enjoyed listening to this book and it certainly made my commutes to/from work for a couple of days fly by.
Little Wars is often attributed to being the first accounting of miniature wargaming (I don't use the word "tabletop" because H.G. Wells' version actually uses floors and furniture, rather than limiting the gaming surface to just the top of a table).
The book is primarily an instruction manual for how to enact a "Little War", with sidebars on the evolution and development of the rule set governing the details of battle and conclusion of the 'Little War'. That said, it is one of the most entertaining instruction manuals you will ever read, as Wells' humor and pacifistic nature bleeds through into the narratives and adds a level of satire to the idea of both children and men conducting grandiose campaigns of battle while crawling about on the floor of a living room, or outside on a front lawn.
The audiobook version was narrated by Librivox volunteer Mark Smith, who does an excellent job of bringing the narrative to life. I had a little bit of difficulty at certain points keeping the rules and explanations straight when I did not have the text in front of me, and supposedly I missed out on some very entertaining sketches and figures provided by Wells in the original publication. That said, I really enjoyed listening to this book and it certainly made my commutes to/from work for a couple of days fly by.
March 7, 2008
Almost 100 years ago, an after-dinner round of target shooting with a friend's son's toy cannon inspired H. G. Wells to create a set of rules for fighting orderly, realistic battles with toy soldiers. In the process of perfecting his game he bought hundreds of toy soldiers, built obsessively detailed miniature terrain pieces, vigorously debated the merits and drawbacks of various rules with his gaming associates, and thoroughly exasperated his wife. The only thing missing was a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew, but I'm sure there was some sort of energizing tonic or other available at the time that would get the job done. It's mind-blowing to think that most of what you would expect in a modern wargame was invented on the floor of Wells' living room, and that so very little has changed over the last century (although he would be happy to know that after all these years modern gamers can finally obtain the dismounted cavalry figures that he fantasized about having). The book is a hoot to read, since it's pacifist author presents the absurd notion of grown-ups crawling around on the floor with their children's toys and plotting the destruction of their "enemies" in a wryly humorous style, even slipping into the persona of a pompous Napoleonesque general to give a first hand account of a typical Little Wars battle. I read the text available as a free download from The Gutenberg Project website, but my new quest is to track down a printed copy in order to see the photos taken by the general's "war correspondent" (Mrs. Wells) to illustrate his tale of strategic triumph.
August 6, 2011
Honestly, this is basically the great grandfather to military wargames (excluding the military uses of strategy and tactics via games which dates back to ancient Egypt, this was for the masses). Its a rulebook basically, in comparison to the hundreds of wargames on the market now - quite simple, but I have played a version of it and enjoyed it! The pictures in the book itself are an absolute hoot, grown men in their fancy gentlemen clothes of the time positioning their regiments of soldiers, cavalry, and canons on a lawn where croquet would normally be played. They also went so far as to make small buildings for their little wars. Certainly a niche read, but as with most of Wells' work, splendid writing style with a dose of gentlemen's wit.
July 26, 2012
This wasn't a story, so much as a musing about a war game (think risk or closer to Axis-and-Allies - meets cowboys and indians) for adults. I don't think I'd recommend this book to anyone unless they were just a huge fan of games and were interested in reading about a late Victorian era (?) version of this. It's not that it wasn't good, or even somewhat interesting, it's just that it is a VERY niche read.
July 13, 2020
Lacking pieces.
This started off as an intriguing read. I bought it thinking that it was a story. I enjoyed the writer's style and the way the book flowed. I was however, disappointed that it was the development of a game. That would have been fine except it referenced photographs and diagrams which were not included in the reading. I would have enjoyed it a great deal more with the visuals.
This started off as an intriguing read. I bought it thinking that it was a story. I enjoyed the writer's style and the way the book flowed. I was however, disappointed that it was the development of a game. That would have been fine except it referenced photographs and diagrams which were not included in the reading. I would have enjoyed it a great deal more with the visuals.
November 25, 2021
This little book about wargaming was interesting and humorous, but much too detailed for me, because I have no interest in wargaming. It is entertaining to think about H.G. Wells and his adult male friends lying and crawling around on the floor or lawn moving toy soldiers and weapons around for hours on end. I wish the version I read had the illustrations in it.
July 17, 2018
BRILLIANT.
November 28, 2023
Don’t start wars, pretend to play with them like children. Prevents death and destruction 👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2023
The genesis of all tabletop wargames, including Chainmail - the grandfather of Dungeons and Dragons.
After a friend took a toy four-point-seven gun and shot it's wooden round at his child's toy soldiers, a game was born. H. G. Wells then began to playtest and build up rules to clash armies of toy soldiers, guns, and calvary against one another. Melee was decided by coin flips and the spring firing cannons were used to shoot at enemy forces as they marched across battlefields built with wooden terrain.
I first heard of this book in "Of Dice and Men" a history of the creation of Dungeons and Dragons, where it cites Wells as the spark that combined children's toy soldiers and the concept of Kriegspiel (tabletop war games used to train actual military officers) to create a more dynamic system.
First published in 1913 it ends on a pacifistic note:
"Great War is at present, I am convinced, not only the most expensive game in the universe, but it is a game out of all proportion. Not only are the masses of men and material and suffering and inconvenience too monstrously big for reason, but the available heads we have for it, are too small. That, I think, is the most pacific realisation conceivable, and Little War brings you to it as nothing else but Great War can do."
A quick read, but a fascinating part of tabletop history!
After a friend took a toy four-point-seven gun and shot it's wooden round at his child's toy soldiers, a game was born. H. G. Wells then began to playtest and build up rules to clash armies of toy soldiers, guns, and calvary against one another. Melee was decided by coin flips and the spring firing cannons were used to shoot at enemy forces as they marched across battlefields built with wooden terrain.
I first heard of this book in "Of Dice and Men" a history of the creation of Dungeons and Dragons, where it cites Wells as the spark that combined children's toy soldiers and the concept of Kriegspiel (tabletop war games used to train actual military officers) to create a more dynamic system.
First published in 1913 it ends on a pacifistic note:
"Great War is at present, I am convinced, not only the most expensive game in the universe, but it is a game out of all proportion. Not only are the masses of men and material and suffering and inconvenience too monstrously big for reason, but the available heads we have for it, are too small. That, I think, is the most pacific realisation conceivable, and Little War brings you to it as nothing else but Great War can do."
A quick read, but a fascinating part of tabletop history!
January 11, 2021
Illustrations or quotations from this little booklet appear in news articles now and then: photos of the author (or friends) lounging on the lawn in straw boaters, or a choice outrageously-Victorian/Edwardian-sexist phrase. I was planning to re-read Featherstone but instead started here at the beginning, having perviously only skimmed through.
"And suddenly your author changes. He changes into what perhaps he might have been—under different circumstances. His inky fingers become large, manly hands, his drooping scholastic back stiffens, his elbows go out, his etiolated complexion corrugates and darkens, his moustaches increase and grow and spread, and curl up horribly; a large, red scar, a sabre cut, grows lurid over one eye. He expands—all over he expands."
As can readily be gathered, style is exuberant and the author's excitement apparent on every page. I can't think of any reason to read this other than as a curio – but in that regard it is enjoyable.
"And suddenly your author changes. He changes into what perhaps he might have been—under different circumstances. His inky fingers become large, manly hands, his drooping scholastic back stiffens, his elbows go out, his etiolated complexion corrugates and darkens, his moustaches increase and grow and spread, and curl up horribly; a large, red scar, a sabre cut, grows lurid over one eye. He expands—all over he expands."
As can readily be gathered, style is exuberant and the author's excitement apparent on every page. I can't think of any reason to read this other than as a curio – but in that regard it is enjoyable.
August 17, 2025
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/little-wars-and-floor-games-by-h-g-wells/
Two very short non-fiction pieces by H.G. Wells, one about a very specific set-up for wargaming with model soldiers (infantry, cavalry and artillery) and one about a rather richer fantasy society built up by him with his sons. These are both very engaging, and Little Wars in particular is at the root of much else. Full of imperialist fervour and outright racism of course, and Wells was far from an outlier in his time and place.
A kind friend got me the reprint of both pieces as a 64-page double by Shilka Publishing, which sadly lacks the illustrations which are referred to throughout the text. This is a loss for Floor Games in particular, where Wells’ own sketches really enliven it.
Two very short non-fiction pieces by H.G. Wells, one about a very specific set-up for wargaming with model soldiers (infantry, cavalry and artillery) and one about a rather richer fantasy society built up by him with his sons. These are both very engaging, and Little Wars in particular is at the root of much else. Full of imperialist fervour and outright racism of course, and Wells was far from an outlier in his time and place.
A kind friend got me the reprint of both pieces as a 64-page double by Shilka Publishing, which sadly lacks the illustrations which are referred to throughout the text. This is a loss for Floor Games in particular, where Wells’ own sketches really enliven it.
May 6, 2020
This is perhaps the first book on wargaming. When I was a child I used to do the same as the author. I played little wars in my room and then I wrote them down in my copy book. Well, this book reminds me very much of the times when I was playing "battles" and made plans and pretended I was a real general. My only difference with Mr Wells was that he played with his friends in his 50's ! By today's standards the rules in this book look childish and ridiculous. However, the last two pages of the book, when Mr Wells speaks about his hobby, are very touching.
February 16, 2022
Excellent book and a must read for all miniature wargamers.
The book describes the rules Wells used and also explains why and how the rules were formed. There is also a battle report(!) and extra untested rules for players to try out.
The book describes the rules Wells used and also explains why and how the rules were formed. There is also a battle report(!) and extra untested rules for players to try out.
November 11, 2024
Meh, not really my cup of tea. I wouldn't want to play wargames, so reading aobut someone else playing one wasn't any more interesting.
One thing I can say is that H. G. Wells certainly had a vast expanse of subject matter in his writing.
One thing I can say is that H. G. Wells certainly had a vast expanse of subject matter in his writing.
March 13, 2021
Pensavo si trattasse di un racconto ma è invece la descrizione di un wargame con epilogo pacifista. Wells è un genio ma questo libretto è solo una curiosità.
February 20, 2022
idea di base molto curiosa ma soprattutto ben riuscita, sempre attuale e profonda la riflessione finale; tutto ciò allietato da una scrittura molto scorrevole.
January 26, 2024
Classic book about historical simulations and kriespiel. Tabletop battles with toy soldiers.
Read this book at age 15. My hobby.
Read this book at age 15. My hobby.
June 27, 2013
One day, H.G. Wells fell in love with what seems to be a miniature firing cannon made for toy soldier, and with the help of his friends, made an entire wargame around it. This is probably the first formal wargame for non-soldiers of its kind, and it's amazing how little both the mindset of creating a game and playing it has changed.
Wells talks about the process of balancing the game through playtests, formalizing rules, adding different objectives to change player behavior, and introducing variant rules for more players, as well as a more sim-like approach for use as a replacement for the military exercise Kriegsbell. It's startlingly modern, and wargamers haven't changed one bit since the days of Little Wars, except to add more complexity to games. The first two chapters detail the game creation, and they are as fascinating as the creation of modern games is. Then, there is a list of the ruleset, some variant styles of play, and a slightly out-of-place hope that the nations of the world would forsake big wars in exchange for the little wars he made.
If you've ever played or created games, this is an excellent read in both a historical and design sense. Even the practical problems matter; one thing he did was to outline all the building positions in chalk so that if a house was moved during play accidentally it could be replaced. I'd rate it five stars if not for some problems.
One problem is that it's simply too niche to be amazing. It's mostly rules and minutia, and non-gaming geeks won't see much to it. The second thing is that the free versions have no illustrations included, so if this really interests you, spring for the paid one. Beyond that though, it's an interesting and enlightening read. Gaming geeks 120 years ago aren't that different from today's geeks.
Wells talks about the process of balancing the game through playtests, formalizing rules, adding different objectives to change player behavior, and introducing variant rules for more players, as well as a more sim-like approach for use as a replacement for the military exercise Kriegsbell. It's startlingly modern, and wargamers haven't changed one bit since the days of Little Wars, except to add more complexity to games. The first two chapters detail the game creation, and they are as fascinating as the creation of modern games is. Then, there is a list of the ruleset, some variant styles of play, and a slightly out-of-place hope that the nations of the world would forsake big wars in exchange for the little wars he made.
If you've ever played or created games, this is an excellent read in both a historical and design sense. Even the practical problems matter; one thing he did was to outline all the building positions in chalk so that if a house was moved during play accidentally it could be replaced. I'd rate it five stars if not for some problems.
One problem is that it's simply too niche to be amazing. It's mostly rules and minutia, and non-gaming geeks won't see much to it. The second thing is that the free versions have no illustrations included, so if this really interests you, spring for the paid one. Beyond that though, it's an interesting and enlightening read. Gaming geeks 120 years ago aren't that different from today's geeks.
January 14, 2014
A charming little book, part rule book for the titular game and part satirical commentary on the state of polite society in the author's time. Wells clearly understood the value of imaginative play, not just for children but also for adults. The framework of rules provided lays down the basis for much of modern hobby wargaming, but never takes itself so seriously as many historical wargamers do today. The primary goal of this game is to have fun, and spin adventurous tales while doing so. Wells himself delivers a narrative battle report at the end of the book filled with humor (often very dated, this book is a century old), satirical jabs at England's wars of conquest and blunt criticism of those social norms which would normally prevent a grown man from playing with toy soldiers on the floor of his living room.
One should note, Wells makes occasional remarks about women that are sometimes difficult to tell whether he is joking (at the expense of the polite society he frequently mocks) or slightly serious. This is a century old book, and even Wells had some now-outdated ideas. I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt, based on his other works and the overall humorous/mocking tone of the text that is consistently present whenever such remarks show up. Like most of the "flavor text" of this games rulebook I'm pretty sure he's joking.
One should note, Wells makes occasional remarks about women that are sometimes difficult to tell whether he is joking (at the expense of the polite society he frequently mocks) or slightly serious. This is a century old book, and even Wells had some now-outdated ideas. I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt, based on his other works and the overall humorous/mocking tone of the text that is consistently present whenever such remarks show up. Like most of the "flavor text" of this games rulebook I'm pretty sure he's joking.
February 26, 2014
“..let us put this prancing monarch and that silly scare-monger, and these excitable "patriots," and those adventurers, and all the practitioners of Welt Politik, into one vast Temple of War, with cork carpets everywhere, and plenty of little trees and little houses to knock down, and cities and fortresses, and unlimited soldiers--tons, cellars-full--and let them lead their own lives there away from us.”
This is the only part I liked in the whole book. The treatment of war as a game and making strategies and moves was a wonder to watch but,on second thoughts,it seemed too much violent for my thoughts. Wells himself admits in the appendix that even though he began on different grounds,he concluded the book in a pacific mode. In my opinion,all these are tolerable if only it was just a game.
This is the only part I liked in the whole book. The treatment of war as a game and making strategies and moves was a wonder to watch but,on second thoughts,it seemed too much violent for my thoughts. Wells himself admits in the appendix that even though he began on different grounds,he concluded the book in a pacific mode. In my opinion,all these are tolerable if only it was just a game.
May 9, 2014
This wasn't a book but an interaction manual for playing a very intense and complicated game. The rules are simple... err... simply overwhelming. It took me a while before I was able to finish this one but that was because I was effectively learning about naval combat. And my time in the Navy made it that much more of a drudgery. If you like game instructions to be at a level matching that of D&D, this is the book for you. It'll take lots of time to set up a game so it would have to be set up in a place that doesn't get used since it would take weeks if not months to play a single game. With two kids running around I don't have that pleasure just yet.
August 15, 2012
This is the first Publicly available wargame rulebook. You buy toy soldiers, cannon and calvary and compete over self-made terrain for self-made victory conditions. This book includes photographs of the setups, a battle report walk-thru, point values, size of army considerations, multi-player rules, advanced rules, realism adding rules and more. This book is all you ever look for in a modern wargame ruleset, but this was printed in 1917 - Wow!
January 11, 2017
I like reading those gaming rulebooks and manuals, even though I may not necessarily play the games. I like HG Wells' stories too, so yeah I pretty much enjoyed reading this. Wells' old-fashioned prose, a little quaint to my ears--and hence, rather refreshing--is written in a pleasant, conversational tone. He even gets a little philosophical in the last few paragraphs. Excellent!
August 2, 2013
This was fun. Made me want to go out and buy some toy soldiers and find someone to play against. (Pity that the chances of finding good, wooden-dowel projecting toy guns is about 0% these days.) Made me long for the days when I and my teenage friends used to regularly play Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.
July 7, 2016
If you are not into tabletop wargaming then you will probably not like this book. It is Wells' history of his version of war games with a slight nod to kriegspiel in the appendix. It is interesting to see how modern game companies like Games Workshop have used the basis of Wells' Little Wars and turned into Warhammer/Warhammer 40K (Pre-AoS). It was a fun read for a gamer.
July 6, 2008
I regret not purchasing the hardcover of this years ago. It's available on the Gutenberg Press website. Aside from a great title, it's an interesting look at the origins of war games and the philosophical aspects of war.
November 4, 2012
H. G. Wells escaped from perceived persecution by women by creating and fighting imaginary wars. He published this book in 1913. Like Jung he sensed the devastation which was approaching, but his efforts to deflect male aggression were too little and too late.
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