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Sunday 1 November 2020

A change of name

Over the past few days, I have been working quite solidly on the next book in the PORTABLE WARGAME series, and after giving it some serious thought, I have decided to change the name from THE PORTABLE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY WARGAME to THE PORTABLE PIKE & SHOT WARGAME. I think that this better describes the sort of wargames users will want to use the rules to fight ... and probably makes it slightly more appealing to the average wargamer.

To give regular blog readers some idea of what the book covers, here is an image of the current Contents page:

I hope to write the chapter about the Battle of Sedgemoor today so that I can send it off for proof reading by Wednesday.

43 comments:

  1. Hi BOB,
    I agree with you that the NEW BOOK TITLE is more appropriate and appealing - a good and wise decision by you. Regards. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      I gave the change a lot of thought, but in the end, it seemed to be the right thing to do.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. I think the change of name gives a much better idea of what the rules cover. It all looks very interesting and look forward to seeing it released

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve J.,

      I agree with your comment. The new title certainly does describe what the book covers in a way that a wider group of people will understand.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Really looking forward to reading this book and picking up new ideas for my ECW rules.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kaptain Kobold,

      I’m sure that you’ll find plenty in the book that will spark off new ideas for your own rules.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. A good change of name and the chapter titles promise exciting times ahead.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tradgardmastare,

      Cheers! I think that the new title will help the book to sell.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  5. I cannot disagree that the name change is more puissant. :)
    I look forward to getting the book as soon as it is available.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike C,

      Puissant is not a word one comes across very often, but it certainly fits the bill!

      Hopefully, you won’t have to wait too long before the book is published.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. I believe the phrase 'dost thou trail the puissant pike' can be found in Shakespeare (Henry V I think, albeit a bit of an anachronism!).

      Delete
    3. Anthony Morton,

      I thought that it might be taken from a Shakespearean play, but could not remember which one.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. I would agree the new title is more evocative and descriptive. It applies applicability to the Thirty Years War. Any additional considerations needed to encompass that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gonsalvo,

      At least one of the sets of rules have been designed to be used to fight Thirty Years War battles.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  7. I agree with everyone else about the title. Having not long bought 'For King and Parliament' and 'Field of Battle' I was not sure if I needed another set of ECW rules, but now I have seen the contents it will be one to add to my Mr Cordery collection. Hope it is out for Christmas. Best wishes. Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim Walkley (Jim),

      I hope that you won’t be disappointed by the content and the date of publication. I’m aiming for the end of November, but it all depends upon the proof readers and Lulu.com.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Maudlin Jack Tar,

      I hope that you enjoy reading the finished book.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  9. Bob, I have a question regarding the hardback editions compared with the paperback editions. Is the paper quality the same or are the hardbacks printed on better paper?
    Thanks Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve,

      The quality of the paper is slightly different between the paperback and standard hardback editions. The latter uses more cream coloured, slightly heavier paper. If I go for a colour hardback, the paper is very white, and is printed on much better quality paper ... but it is much more expensive.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  10. Bob,
    Having seen the colour edition of your Colonial Wargaming book, I do hope you will also do a colour version of PP&SW, as it will be so much more attractive and well worth the extra money! Though the monochrome photos do have a pleasing, 'old school' style appearance too.
    Best wishes, Arthur

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arthur1815 (Arthur),

      I hope to produce a colour edition of PP&SW if I can get enough suitable colour photographs. The colour hardback format looks so much better than the others, but it is an expensive option for purchasers. That said, it does seem to be reasonably popular.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. I would certainly be willing to pay more for a colour hardback.

      Delete
    3. Anthony Morton,

      It’s the format that I prefer. It may cost more, but it looks and feels worth it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  11. A Sedgemoor scenario? Fantastic! Your new rules will be just what I need to start my long-planned foray into the late 17th century!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anthony Morton,

      It’s an interesting battle. If the rebel attack had managed to catch the Royalists unprepared - which is what they planned - the result might have been very different.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  12. Maybe now I'll get around to fighting the Battle of Naseby which John Cleese sang so... strenuously about. I look forward to seeing the rules (in pdf?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mr. Pavone,

      I never knew that John Cleese ever sang about the battle of Naseby! I must have missed that somewhere along the way.

      I hope to publish the book in four editions: PDF, paperback, black & white hardback, and colour hardback. I think that will cover all the potential buying options purchasers will like to choose from.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. Oh Mr Cordery, you are in for a treat!
      https://youtu.be/dBPf6P332uM

      I actually learned a little English history courtesy of this song.

      Delete
    3. Mr. Pavone,

      Cheers! I’ll listen to it later this evening.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    4. Mr. Pavone,

      I’ve listened to the song, and found it both funny and informative. Thanks for the recommendation.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    5. I've never been able to put my finger on what piqued my interest regarding Naseby. They don't say much about it in the song. Maybe it was the lack of detail that got me interested? Glad you enjoyed it.

      Delete
    6. Mr. Pavone,

      If you have an interest in the Battle of Naseby, have you ever seen the episode from the GAME OF WAR series where it was refought on TV by two teams using a form of kreigsspeil? It was adjudicated by the late Dr Paddy Griffith and Arthur Harman (both of whom I knew or know well), with Iain Dickie (the former editor of Miniature Wargames) commenting. You can watch it on YouTube here = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4nU6vw_oHs .

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    7. I will add it to my watch list, thanks!

      Delete
    8. Mr. Pavone,

      I hope that you enjoy it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Geordie an Exiled FoG,

      I thought that it was a good idea to change it for exactly that reason.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  14. That is indeed a better title and I look forward to seeing it in print! Would the rules be suitable for 2mm figures? I have some Thirty Years War armies lying around somewhere and I really need an excuse to start painting them up...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emjenic,

      Cheers! I do prefer the new title, even though most of the contents do deal with warfare in the seventeenth century.

      The rules should be useable with 2mm figures. In fact, the author of the Thirty Years War rules uses 6mm figure in his battles.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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