My copy of IT'S GETTING A BIT CHILE: TABLETOP WARGAME RULES FOR LAND CONFLICT IN THE WAR OF THE PACIFIC 1879-1884 arrived in Monday's post, and although I had read the draft rules, this is the first time I've seen the complete text, including the illustrations.
This is an excellent book in so many ways. Not only does it give a brief but very informative history of the war (including a chronology) but also includes a uniform painting guide (written by Alan Curtis) and a short bibliography of English language books that deal with the events of the war. (It is interesting to note that one of the books in the bibliography was written by Clements R Markham, the cousin of Admiral Sir Albert Markham, whose biography I recently reviewed.)
The rules are designed to be used on a gridded playing surface. The author uses 15mm-scale figures on 30mm wide bases on a 3-inch squared grid for his battles, but the rules can be used with large or smaller scale figures just as long as the size of the grid squares is adjusted to match any changes to the size of the base frontage.
The book is 76 pages long and is split into the following sections:
The book also contains 15mm-scale colour representations of the battalion/regimental and national colours carried by the combatants, and purchasers have permission to copy these and the Disorder Markers for their own personal use. The back cover of the book has a very helpful Quick Reference Sheet (QRS) on it, and once players have fought through a couple of moves, this is probably the only playing aid that they will need during the rest of their wargame.
One particular aspect of the rules that I like was the way that the personal attributes of the actual commanders has been integrated into the rules. For example:
I understand the Graham Evans is hoping to publish his TAIPING ERA rules later this year, and I hope that sales of this book are sufficient to encourage him to do so.
IT'S GETTING A BIT CHILE: TABLETOP WARGAME RULES FOR LAND CONFLICT IN THE WAR OF THE PACIFIC 1879-1884 was written by Graham Evans and published in 2020 by Wargaming for Grown Ups Publications (ISBN 978 1 797 56040 3). It is currently available in printed format from Amazon.
This is an excellent book in so many ways. Not only does it give a brief but very informative history of the war (including a chronology) but also includes a uniform painting guide (written by Alan Curtis) and a short bibliography of English language books that deal with the events of the war. (It is interesting to note that one of the books in the bibliography was written by Clements R Markham, the cousin of Admiral Sir Albert Markham, whose biography I recently reviewed.)
The rules are designed to be used on a gridded playing surface. The author uses 15mm-scale figures on 30mm wide bases on a 3-inch squared grid for his battles, but the rules can be used with large or smaller scale figures just as long as the size of the grid squares is adjusted to match any changes to the size of the base frontage.
The book is 76 pages long and is split into the following sections:
- Introduction
- A Brief History of the War
- The Basics
- Figures, Scales & Formations
- Unit Quality and Equipment
- Turn Sequence
- Movement
- Charges
- Disorder
- Firing
- Hand to Hand Combat
- Routing, Retreating, Retiring and Rallying
- Commanders
- Winning and Losing
- The battle of Dolores/San Francisco
- Playing "It's Getting a Bit Chile" without squares
- Resources
- And Finally
The book also contains 15mm-scale colour representations of the battalion/regimental and national colours carried by the combatants, and purchasers have permission to copy these and the Disorder Markers for their own personal use. The back cover of the book has a very helpful Quick Reference Sheet (QRS) on it, and once players have fought through a couple of moves, this is probably the only playing aid that they will need during the rest of their wargame.
One particular aspect of the rules that I like was the way that the personal attributes of the actual commanders has been integrated into the rules. For example:
I understand the Graham Evans is hoping to publish his TAIPING ERA rules later this year, and I hope that sales of this book are sufficient to encourage him to do so.
IT'S GETTING A BIT CHILE: TABLETOP WARGAME RULES FOR LAND CONFLICT IN THE WAR OF THE PACIFIC 1879-1884 was written by Graham Evans and published in 2020 by Wargaming for Grown Ups Publications (ISBN 978 1 797 56040 3). It is currently available in printed format from Amazon.
Bob, - Thanks for the write up. That's very generous of you. Hopefully it'll encourage a few more people to take a look and get involved in the period.
ReplyDeleteTaiping Era will certainly happen, almost regardless of sales of "IGABC" as I really want a proper copy for myself!
(BTW Again you have a copy before the author. How frustrating!)
Trebian
Trebian,
DeleteI’ve added a briefer version of my review to the relevant Amazon page as well, and I hope that it encourages people to buy a copy of your excellent book.
I do find it odd that I am able to get a copy of your book faster than you can ... but little of what Amazon does surprises me nowadays.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteMy copy is also due today and based on what you have written I am looking forward to it even more!
All the best,
DC
David Crook,
DeleteI hope that you enjoy reading your copy as much as I did reading mine.
All the best,
Bob
Sounds interesting Bob? I don't know much about this period.
ReplyDeleteRay Rousell,
DeleteThe book would be a great starting point for anyone who wants to find out more about this very interesting but relatively unknown war.
All the best,
Bob
I can't think of any reason why anyone wouldn't tale
DeleteBob's advice and buy a copy. In my experience he's a thoroughly reliable chap with good judgement and excellent taste.
Trebian,
DeleteThanks for the compliment.
All the best,
Bob
I tried to buy a copy (and 'To Ur...' as well) but Trebian's observation that it was not available in this country turned out to be on the money. I haven't made up my mind about getting the pdf copy - would much rather have the book.
ReplyDeleteMaybe later...?
Archduke Piccolo,
DeleteI’ve emailed you with a possible solution.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob
DeleteI read your email - thank you - but I think I'll leave it for the time being and figure out what I want to do. High on the agenda is a gentle 'please explain' communication to certain MPs. Snarl.
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo,
DeleteThe Goods and Sales Tax seems like yet another example of 'our leaders' having a good idea that raises money for them to spend and penalises the people who voted for them. At least we don't have to pay VAT on books and magazine in the UK ... at the moment!
I'm sure that we will be able to work a way out so that you can receive copies of the books.
All the best,
Bob
The Goods and Services Tax was the brainchild of a Milton Friedman disciple and complete idiot hight Roger Douglas, who, following the Chicago School Neo-Classical brand of economic vandalism began the same kind of destructive 'policies' generally associated with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan (and Augusto Pinochet). I recall as how the 10% GST (it's now 15% - funny, that) would be of such benefit, among which would be the reduction in income tax. So the very first salary statement I got showed the princely sum of my increase in take-home pay after tax: $1.89. After well over 30 years I still remember the figure, and it still angers me. It was in effect just another tax cut for the rich.
DeleteRoger 'I got Milton Friedman's hand up my bum' Douglas deserved to have been lined up against a wall and shot.
OK. I'll stop jumping up and down about it now. I have to admit, though, I quite like vilifying Douglas.
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo,
DeleteI seem to remember that Income Tax was originally a ‘temporary’ tax to finance the war against Napoleon ... and we are still paying it over two hundred years on!
I don’t have a lot of time for politicians. Having worked for several whilst I was seconded to the local education authority as a post-16 education coordinator and part-time government advisor, I coined the phrase ‘unsubstantiated truth’ when I was required to lie to local headteachers about plans that the politicians were discussing. That way I could tell them something my bosses required me to say ... and they knew that it was not totally the truth.
The politicians I worked for had no real grasp of what was practical and affordable. They were all driven by political theories that fitted their party’s short-term goals. Furthermore, very few of them were around for more than four or five years as they moved up the grease political pole.
All the best,
Bob
I've just ordered myself a copy on the basis of your review Bob. The book looks excellent and I love the commanders attributes, which is a nice touch. Looking forward to receiving my copy next week, all being well.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteI’m sure that you’ll enjoy this book. As my review states, it’s not just a set of rules; it has enough historical background and uniform information to be a good primer for anyone wanting to know more about the War of the Pacific.
All the best,
Bob