Wargamers Island Books with John Graham-Leigh

Wargamers Island Books

With John Graham-Leigh

Ex-Slingshot Editor and Majordomo of the UK DBM South West Circuit and the acclaimed Anderida Historical themed Tournaments.

How did you get into wargaming ?

Iplayed wargames of a sort since toddler days in the 1950s, with my elder brother and Britain's lead soldiers. Discovered "proper" wargaming through Donald Featherstone's book, mid-1960s; assembled Airfix armies followed by 20/25mm Minifigs, started playing WRG rules in 1971 and haven't stopped since. Subscribed to Wargamer's Newsletter in the 1970s, and Slingshot from 1972.

What was your first army, and where are they now ?

First armies - Airfix Romans, which were my most formidable army up to 5th Edition, when I replaced them with Minifigs who were much less successful. First metal army was Arab, using Minifigs and some Airfix conversions; not very successful (remember the two-edged "fanaticism" rule?). Then medieval English, Edward I and all that. The Arabs have long since retired (many have had their horses confiscated for use as remounts), but the English still take the field in DBM.

What's your favorite army and/or set of figures in your possession, and why?

The English are, I suppose, my favourites though the current version of DBM doesn't help them. The Feudal English have had some classic moments. One of their generals is the Earl of Surrey, painstakingly painted in blue and yellow checks, who's led some glorious charges.

Perhaps the greatest was against Steve Neate's Nan Chao: Surrey rode down a couple of Pk(X), uphill, and pursued onto the crest. Steve moved his Cv(O) C-in-C across to cover the gap, Surrey charged, 5-1 on the dice and the Nan Chao general was trampled flat. Surrey is of course a veteran of WRG rules from 3rd to 6th Editions as well as DBM, but has seen his greatest service with my own house rules, under which he won the Battle of York by personally slaying about 20 spearmen and then killing Simon de Montfort, the rebel commander.

First 15mm army was Mike's Models Classical Indians - I rebased them for Warmaster Ancients a couple of years ago. Subsequent armies are too numerous to list, including huge ECW armies, 25mm Seven Years War and enormous hordes of 15mm and 25mm Ancients/Medievals.

After all these years and all these battles and campaigns, my enthusiasm remains undimmed! Han Chinese beat Later Judeans 9-1 only last night.

Johns 11 (well, why not!) favorite books are listed below. The links go directly to the UK or US Amazon pages where you can find out more about each one.

	UK Amazon Listing	US Amazon Listing
*1. Wargames, by Donald Featherstone.* The best of its generation of "wargaming primers", and the one which first enthused me back in the 1960s. The author�s zest for the game is infectious and the book is still a great read.
*2. Charge, or How to Play Wargames, by Peter Young and J P Lawford.* Another inspirational book from the 1960s, concentrating on mid-18^th century European warfare. The style is entertaining, and the climactic Battle of Sittangbad description bears reading and re-reading. Like Featherstone, the authors had participated in real war and knew what they were talking about.
3. Founding Fathers. The first of several selections from Alfred Duggan�s novels: Based on Livy�s account of the earliest days of Rome, this book includes some convincing descriptions of early hoplite-style warfare. Duggan�s unemotional style doesn�t suit every reader�s taste, but he gives the impression of knowing how people of the time would have thought.
*4. Winter Quarters* Duggan again. The story of two Gallic nobles who enlist in Caesar�s cavalry and accompany Crassus�s doomed invasion of Parthia. Excellent battle descriptions, against a brooding background of contemporary religious practices.
*5. The Lady for Ransom.* A third Duggan: The story of Roussel de Bailleul, the Norman commander of mercenary cavalry in the Byzantine army. The descriptions of the contest between Western knights and Turkish horse-archers are outstanding.
6. The Gun, by C S Forester. Another historical novel, set in the Peninsular War seen from a Spanish viewpoint. The strengths and weaknesses of guerrilla armies are brilliantly portrayed.
7. The Sicilian Vespers, by Steven Runciman. A scholarly history book which reads like a novel. Runciman describes the background to and course of the War of the Vespers involving Sicily, Aragon, France and others.
8. The Campaigns of Napoleon, by David Chandler. Magisterial account of Boney�s military career, written with exceptional clarity.
9. The First World War Volume 1: To Arms by Hew Strachan. This massive volume covers mainly the events of 1914 and runs to over 1200 pages. Unbelievably detailed yet highly readable. I hope Professor Strachan hurries up and finishes Volume 2 soon.
*10. The Safeguard of the Sea* & *11. The Command of the Ocean, by N A M Rodger.* If you want to understand naval warfare in the days of sail, these books are for you. A third volume is promised and I can�t wait.

Can't find a book (or a price you want to pay!) on your local Amazon? Try searching Abe Books - worldwide

If you wish to submit a book list and answer the Big Three Questions please feel free to submit them to me to be considered for inclusion via this link Maroon Me Now Please Mr Madaxeman! and I will try and publish as many as I can (although I do have a real job to do as well, so it may take some time!).

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