An unsolicited review of the Portable Napoleonic Wargame

Over the weekend I received a very unexpected email from Dale Munz (AKA Dale the Wargamer) who wrote the following review of THE PORTABLE NAPOLEONIC WARGAME:

'I just tried your Napoleonic Portable Wargame rules at the "Corps level" for the first time. I have been playing a solo campaign of two opposing sides each with a corps of 4 divisions (each division having infantry, cavalry and artillery). I came across a situation where each side had 2 entire divisions fighting in the battle against 2 opposing divisions. I had been using your division-level rules, but thought my battlefield (hex-gridded 12 x 12) would get too crowded. So I pulled out the Corps-level rules. I merged each side's 2 divisions into one force, arriving at a composition that resemble your Corps-level example (French v. allied) in your book. I fought two battles this way. I was completely blown away by how realistic each game was and how much fun! I'd start playing the battle and simply could not stop until either it was supper time, or my hands hurt from throwing dice. It was really exciting, and I never knew which side was going to win. I particularly liked the command and control (CinC giving orders to each corps each turn, and testing to see if they were carried out). It really gave me a feel for how difficult it is to command large units, and get them to do your bidding. These rules are simply (as well as being simple) the best rules I've played yet in terms of excitement. I enjoy the other rulesets, and even other author's rulesets, and like some variety. But I can't say enough about these rules.'

I love getting emails from people who've enjoyed using my rules, and I know that Dale wanted to share his reactions to using my Napoleonic rules with a wider audience. (I know this because he stated it elsewhere in his email, and before publishing it above, I asked his permission to reproduce what he had written.)

In reply, I wrote:

'Thank you very much for your email. It was very, very humbling to read.

This comment might surprise you, but your enthusiasm was extremely gratifying to read, especially as you have ‘got’ the idea behind the Corps-level rules. The C&C rules came about as a result of long discussions I had with Arthur Harman, who is a much greater expert on all things a Napoleonic than I am. He pointed out just how difficult it was for generals to control troops on a large battlefield, and the rules evolved from his suggestions.'

It's feedback like Dale's that makes all the effort I have put in to writing and publishing my rules worthwhile.

Thank you, Dale. You really made my day!