Like a lot of wargamers that enjoy wargaming with imagi-nations, I’ve been waiting for Henry Hyde’s latest book with bated breath. I decided to wait until it was available in hardback, and my copy was delivered on Thursday.
MARTINSTAAT 1744: A DETAILED WARGAME CAMPAIGN SET IN A FICTITIOUS WORLD is exactly as described in its title. It has 104 full-colour pages and is absolutely choker-block full of maps and illustrations that complement the text. The book is divided into the following chapters and sections:
- A Word About Illustrations
- Introduction
- What Are Imagi-Nations?
- Martinstaat 1744: The Background
- The Campaign Background
- Campaign Rules Used Specifically for 1744
- The Opposing Forces for 1744
- Prunkland’s Armed Forces in 1744
- The Faltenian Army
- My 1744 Planning Notes
- The 1744 Campaign in Detail
- Week 1:1st-7th February 1744
- Week 2: 8th-14th February 1744
- Week 3: 15th-21st February 1744
- Week 4: 22nd-28th February 1744
- Week 5: 1st-7th March 1744
- Week 6: 8th-14thMarch 1744
- Week 7: 15th-21st March 1744
- Week 8: 22nd-28thMarch 1744
- Week 9: 29th March-4th April 1744
- Crossing the Steinwasser at W31
- Situation
- Week 10: 5th-11th April 1744
- Week 11: 12th-25th April 1744
- Week 12: 19th-25th April 1744
- Week 13: 26th April-2nd May 1744
- Week 14: 3rd-9th May 1744
- Week 15: 10th-16th May 1744
- Thoughts About the 1744 Campaign
- A Few More Detailed Hexes
- More About the Opposing Forces
- The Cost of Raising an Army
- Economics, Infrastructure and Supply Rules from the 1742 Campaign
- Additional Economics, Infrastructure and Supply Rules and Amendments from the 1743 Campaign
- Additional Notes Found
- A Partial Atlas
- Afterword: Guy's Perspective
Reading this book gave me an immense amount of fun ... and lots of ideas for my own campaigns!
This is a book for wargamers by an extremely talented wargamer, writer, illustrator, and cartographer, and I think that all wargamers should buy a copy. It might not be set in a period that you wargame (and I certainly don't wargame eighteenth century conflicts, even imagi-nation ones!) but you will gain so much from this book that it will repay its cost many times over.
MARTINSTAAT 1744: A DETAILED WARGAME CAMPAIGN SET IN A FICTITIOUS WORLD was written and illustrated by Henry Hyde and published in 2023 by Gladius Publications (ISBN 979-8-8532-4500-6).
That looks very interesting. I think I will pick up a copy.
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteI bought the hardback edition, but it is also available in softback and PDF editions. The latter is available from Wargames Vault (https://www.wargamevault.com/product/446467/Martinstaat-1744?src=hottest_filtered).
All the best,
Bob
I split the difference and ordered the soft back. Promises to be a good read.
DeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteA wise compromise! I hope that you enjoy it’s much as I have.
All the best,
Bob
Did not know about this book, many thanks for bringing it to my attention, my period is mainly the 18th century so this book is a must buy!!
ReplyDeleteDonnie McGibbon,
DeleteI’m pleased to have been of help … and I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I have!
All the best,
Bob
I saw it advertised on The Wargames Website and have added it to my list:). It looks good but whether I need it, well that remains to be seen...
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteI think that it is an excellent book and would recommend it to all wargamers: however, only you can judge if you need it!
All the best,
Bob
Great to read your thoughts Bob. Having read and re-read "The Wars of the Faltenian Succession" articles in Battlegames (and made a Map following the instructions therein) I'm looking forward to reading Henry's book.
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteI’ve also read THE WARS OF THE FALTENIAN SUCCESSION, and this is a more that worthy follow-up to that book.
All the best,
Bob
I do like mid-18th century (comes of having started with Charge!). I hope the Hoopla app will get it - they seem to have dropped his Wargaming Campaigns though they still have the Compendium.
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
DeleteCHARGE! was the first wargame book that I ever bought, although I’d taken out and read Donald Featherstone’s WAR GAMES from our local library so often that the librarian suggested that I ought to buy a copy!
The book is available from Wargames Vault as a PDF for $30.00 (https://www.wargamevault.com/product/446467/Martinstaat-1744).
All the best,
Bob