Paddy Griffith (1947–2010)

A very provocative reinterpretation of industrial-era (Napoleon onwards) military history, arguing that from the Napoleanic Wars to the present day, technological improvements have always been overrated in both military and popular understanding, and the skills and abilities of infantry underrated. Very much worth reading, particularly as a sort of introduction to H. John Poole.

Napoleonic Wargaming for Fun by Paddy Griffith

The book has a variety of rules in it covering skirmish, brigade and divisional level games, but the real treats are the introduction to Kriegspiel and the description of Tactical Exercises without Troops, a sort of wargamers country ramble.

This is probably the best book on war-gaming I’ve ever read. While it deals with the Napoleonic period in particular, there is a deal in it about the nature of rules writing and the spirit of wargaming that show more are applicable to any period.

From the conclusion:

“One final word is called for about the spirit in which wargames should be played. They are not mathematical exercises in which the players sit silently confronting each other, with their brains ticking over like miniature computers. Instead, they are social events; rather similar to dinner parties. The guest list should be given a little thought in advance, so that all the players will fit that particular game and enjoy it. The bill of fare should also be designed to suit them; and care should be taken that no one is left out in the cold. Even the most perfect set of rules (it such a miracle could ever be devised) is useless if it is used on the wrong occasion or with the wrong trimmings; so it is worth while tailoring each game to its social setting. If this is done thoughtfully and well, the result should be an amusing, interesting, and successful evening’s entertainment for all concerned.”

Truly an excellent book and one that I constantly return to. show less

The subtitle for this book is "The Game that Launched Academic Wargaming", and the blurb on the back says that this is the story of that wargame.
Well, it's not really that. There is not much of a narrative to this book, but it is a large collection of source material, handouts and anecdotes - which badly needs a narrative.

Paddy Griffith's booklet illustrates all the tactical aspects of the American Civil war in 48 magnificent pages. Morsels of text, drawings and diagramms offer a unique learning process that draws the reader in and engages him to reflect about certain aspects until another illustration catches the attention. Quite a contrast to Brent Nosworthy's worthy but long-winded books that cover the same topics.

The book is so good that I never got the first copy back I lent to another Civil War buff show more (The book is difficult to procure in Europe.). If you have any interest in the tactical aspects of the Civil War, you won't regret picking up a copy of this work. show less