Last nigh I was informed that both the hardback and paperback versions of my latest book are now available to buy online from Amazon.
THE BALKAN LEAGUE is both a Matrix Game Campaign that can be played by a group of people as a standalone game and as a means of generating tabletop battles that can be fought using THE PORTABLE BALKAN LEAGUE WARGAME rules.
This book is divided into three parts, a set of Appendices, and a Bibliography.
- Introduction
- Part One: The Matrix Game Concept
- The origins of the Matrix Game concept
- What do you need to run a Matrix Game?
- How to conduct a Matrix Game
- Part Two: The Balkan League Matrix Game
- Historical introduction
- Maps of the Balkans in 1912 and 1913
- Player Briefings
- General rules
- Specific rules
- Resolving battles
- Part Three: The Portable Balkan League Wargame Rules
- Introduction
- Land warfare rules
- Sea warfare rules
- Appendices
- I: Map sections for the First and Second Balkan Wars
- II: The Balkan League Matrix Game Playsheet/Prompt Board
- III: Order Counters
- IV: Orders of Battle and notes about the armies
- Bibliography
- Books
- Magazine articles
The paperback is on sale for £9.99 and the hardback is on sale for £14.99.
Excellent ! I've just ordered my copy . I have Mr Hootons book, the appropriate Osprey and I'm looking forward to poring over the Irregular 15mm catalogue. You're a regular human dynamo Bob!
ReplyDeleteTake Care,
Tony.
Unknown (Tony),
DeleteCheers! I relied heavily on Hooton’s book for the ORBATs, which I have slightly amended so that they will fit in with the PBWW rules.
I have had a serious look at both the Irregular Miniatures 15mm and 40mm Balkan Wars ranges, and I have been very, very tempted!
All the best,
Bob
Whoosh, I can hear it on it's way right now. Well, Monday actually if Amazon are as good as their word.
ReplyDeleteJon S,
DeleteI have several copies on order, but because I am the author, mine won’t arrive until the end of next week.
All the best,
Bob
I have ordered my copy. I am looking forward to reading them, especially the matrix rules. Tim
ReplyDeleteTim,
DeleteI have explained how a Matrix Game works, and added some SCRUD (Simple Combat Resolution Using Dice) rules so that players do not have to use the tabletop rules to adjudicate the results of any battles.
All the best,
Bob
If you ever get the time I for one would be very interested to read a post on the mechanics of how you go about getting your books published. I assume there is a fair amount of "diy" involved. Regards.
ReplyDeleteTony Adams,
DeleteThe process is quite simple but also a bit tedious. I created a PowerPoint explanation that showed how I published my earlier books using Lulu.com. If you contact me by email, I’d be willing to send you a copy.
All the best,
Bob
I did...did the e mail get through ok ????
DeleteTony Adams,
DeleteI sent a reply with two PowerPoint presentations attached. I’m away from home until Saturday and will send them again if you haven’t received them.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteHow do the Balkan PW rules vary from the Standard ones?
Thanks
Mike
Mike Lewis (Mike),
DeleteThe rules are designed for fighting large battles with two or three Corps on each side. Each unit represents a division or brigade, with artillery grouped as corps-level support, and each turn represents four hours. It also includes the option to use the Orders rules from the PNW.
I hope that this explains how it differs from the standard rules.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob -
ReplyDeletewell, that's a bit of a turn-up! I wasn't expecting publication for another month or so. No reason. So I went and ordered up 'Trebian's' 'Taiping Era', didn't I? Same day. No regrets, you understand. But I might be waiting for another month or so before getting this one.
Mind you, I wasn't planning of starting the Second Blacklands War before then. But I do plan on using something like the published ORBATS (comme ca Mike Cordone?), rather than the ones I derived from the old WI magazine. It may mean a slightly different ... erm ... ambience to the second War...
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteAmazon managed to get the printed proof copy to me somewhat faster than I had expected, and once it had ben checked, I saw no reason to delay publication. Sorry about that, but I hope that you will be in possession of a copy of the latest book by November.
The ORBATS in the old WI magazine were designed to go with the Matrix Game, and have been retained - in a slightly modified form - in the new book. However, players have the option of using more the accurate ORBATs featured in the book's appendices with the tabletop rules.
I am looking forward to reading all about the Second Blacklands War sometime during 2022!
All the best,
Bob
Hardback ordered-looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteAnthony Morton,
DeleteGreat! I hope that you enjoy reading it.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob, I hope all is well with you. I received my copy on Sunday and have been poring over it whenever I have a free moment! The Balkan matrix game was as I remembered it, the overview of Matrix games was excellent and S.C.R.U.D. was a useful addition and the P.W. rules are ideal for players who find Scrud a bit too simple. I think you can put this down as a success and I will be saying as much when I put a review on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteTake Care,
Tony.
Unknown (Tony),
DeleteI am extremely pleased with your reaction, which is how I hoped people would receive my latest book. There are some subtle changes to the original Matrix Game, and adding Tim Price’s SCRUD system made sense.
All the best,
Bob
Congratulations on adding another game to my wishlist! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're a veritable wargames publishing machine. Keep up the good work!
Donjondo,
DeleteI’m going to try to keep writing books for as long as I can.
All the best,
Bob
Hello Bob,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing another project!
I was thinking that the game would be at a lower combat level than a unit is a brigade, so was a bit surprised. Is it using the previous download Big Board Portable Wargame Modern rules or something? Best, Alex
ECW 40mm Project (Alex),
DeleteCheers! The rules went for higher level units so that players could fight larger battles. They are based on the original PW rules with a few tweaks to reflect the larger scale being used.
All the best,
Bob