"As Told in the Great Hall: First Impressions" Topic
5 Posts
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Prince Alberts Revenge | 14 Apr 2014 7:46 a.m. PST |
I saw this book on Amazon and ordered it as I am painting up some 10mm armies for Dux Bellorum. When it came in the mail, I have to say I was impressed by the size of the book. I am reading it from cover to cover and about halfway through, although I skimmed over the entire book. The book goes into detail about the sources (Gildas, Bede, Anglo Saxon Chronicles, archaeology, etc.) used and the historical background. Weapons, armor and clothing are described. The wargamer is given much fodder as army lists and descriptions are provided for all the major players in Dark Age Britain (I believe there are rules written by the author in the back of the book, but the army lists can be used for other sets). A chronological history follows and when a major battle is mentioned, the book delves into the battle with an accompanying section on recreating the battle for the tabletop). B&W photos of terrain and illustrations of maps with troop deployments are included. The author certainly knows his stuff and provides compelling arguments on why he thinks the battles were fought where he states and how he came up with the size and deployment of the belligerents. As of right now, I have read from Ambrosius to Aethalstan
I can't recommend the book enough to those interested in the period and wish to refight these lost battles on the tabletop
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DontTreadOnMe | 14 Apr 2014 9:20 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the review. I've been thinking about ordering it. There's a dearth of quality reading material covering the militaristic side this of period generally. The only ones of note I've come across are the Pen and Sword series and I can now add this one to the list. |
Who asked this joker | 14 Apr 2014 1:41 p.m. PST |
You are farther along than I am! I am enjoying it so far as well. If only I could break my addiction to hegemony Gold computer game and get back to it! I did look over the rules. It appears to be a watered down version of WRG ancients. Not sure I'd classify them as "easy" or "intro". We, as gamers, have a high expectation of what non-gaming people call easy. It's a good little book and is well worth the price. |
Ivan DBA | 14 Apr 2014 9:55 p.m. PST |
Thanks for the review, I just ordered it (sadly, it looks like I'll be waiting until May, as it is out of stock!) |
Stew art | 03 Jul 2014 9:28 a.m. PST |
upon seeing this thread i ordered the book for the kindle, but only now have gotten around to reading it. the book is great. not only for a review of the history but nice in that outlines battles with a rough guideline to terrain. i haven't got through the rule section yet, but i do like my dark age rules and I collect them. all and all, a great book for anyone who collects vikings, saxons, and (at the end) normans. |
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