A Year in a Castle

 

Another good-looking book.

The Knight in History

Another intriguing book    

Knights & Crusades

A book on my list...,

how about yours?

Just Received Risk Europe

I just received Risk Europe for Christmas, opened it,  was instantly taken back by the quality of what I saw.  I haven't played with it yet, but I was hoping for figures that were compatible with the 1/72 scale I played with, and I was very pleased. The infantry are, perhaps, a millimeter or two smaller and the cavalry will not fit in with 1/72 horse, but I like them all for mass effect. The best features for me are castles that fit in with my 2mm figures, accessories that are different enough to light up siege games, a sturdy game board and a challenging game concept that will keep my friends and I busy for a few hours.

I'll let you know how it games out next week, when I meet with my crew.

Some Terrain Ideas I can use....

This is more an effect of fantasy, but it is both accurate and fanciful that it would look different enough on my table.

Sullen Clothing

I like the combination of black and yellow colors.  It gives a very manly look to the image.

CQR CQ-TLP105-CYT_36W/30L Men's Tactical Pants

• High-strength High-density metal alloy snap button and zipper along with a durable mounted stopper
• CQR tactical pants are constructed with a hint of military and law enforcement performance design.
• Duratex Fabric repels liquids, dirt, and other contaminants.
• 65% polyester 35% cotton Rip-stop fabric materials
• 8 Multi-purpose cargo pockets for various tools and equipment. Upgraded 1 Front Flap pocket
• Fade, shrink, and wrinkle resistant

I own a pair of tactical pants, ones that can be converted to shorts when the need arises, and I find they make life just a little easier.  

Who's The New Historian? - You!

That's what I'm aiming for.  In addition to writing for dollars (what a title!), I want to explore doing more research and writing about my finds.

RISK Europe

I am a sucker for this kind of game, one with 3D playing pieces that comprise entire armies that I can use in the game and on the table top.  If you buy the one I am featuring here, you don't have to pay shipping.

I have over three hundred figures that I can use for the American War of Independence, although I had to buy command figures from a different source.  If this game comes with the same useful type accessories, I can be the proud owner of several medieval armies.  I don't know if I can paint that fast.

As An Aside - I Prefer One-Casting War-Game Figures

Years ago I gamed at the HMGS shows with Phil Viverito, who used to run large, marvelous ancient games , using his "Hack" rules.  I always thought his games were worth the price of the show.  He always welcomed players, no matter the stage of his game and you could come and go.  Show after show he would run a game with hundreds of figures on the table, which he painted himself (or so I believed).
One evening I wandered over to his table and viewed one of his games and we chatted as the game progressed.  He told me that he created armies consisting of plastic multi-part figures.  He was tired of lugging all those lead figures around, but he learned quickly that multi-part figures fall apart at an alarming rate.  He was spending too much time, after each game, picking heads and weapons.
I experienced that same annoying feature with a fine looking Zulu unit.  Once is more than enough for me.  It's solid castings from now on.

Very nice figures that will dress up

your gaming table.

Play The Paper Version of The English Civil War

Once I've made some headway with the American Civil War, I already planed to visit War-game The English Civil War.  I had this book longer, but the prospect of making paper pikes has intimidated me, but I found the solution!  I bought a few bags of war-gaming pikes from a company that makes miniature lead soldiers and they will become my pikes as well.

Details to follow.

Fight The American Civil War Battles With Paper!

This is the book that has both entertained and haunted me for months.  My war-gaming budget is a tad low, so I look for anything I can exploit for cheap.  I found one such nugget and I have wrestled with it ever since I purchased it.   So far I have managed to assemble one brigade of Confederate infantry, some cavalry and one gun without crew.  I have to admit I am a bit frustrated with how much car this project requires, but one positive is the more you do it, the more ways of improving the end result come to mind.  The starting units are not nearly as polished as the current lot.  I guess even my stubby fingers can contribute to a quality project.  Some pictures will be forth-coming.

Zulu Wars in 1:72

I appreciate the work that wet into this - good effort!

Gordon: The Man Behind the Legend (History and Politics)

Add this book to the list.  

Khartoum - The Ultimate Imperial Adventure

I'm going to order this book.  It sounds like a good read.  Anyone read it yet?  Let us know....

Zulu War British Soldiers from the Perry Brothers

I have about 25 painted Zulu War miniatures from the Perry brothers and they look quite good; well animated and detailed to at least my satisfaction.  It's another group I will have to photograph for you.  My son sent them off to get better bases, so I waiting for their return.

These 1/72 scale British Infantry are flexible and belong in your collection.

I have these same soldiers painted quite nicely as British and Italian colonial troops.  I've enjoyed them in many a Zulu game.  I like these figures for another reason.  They are one solid casting, no add-on parts.  The Zulus by the same manufacturer have shield and weapons that have to be glued.

They are also serving in India, for me, and I will post photos pretty soon.