Hardback, dust jacket in fairly good condition, binding as sound as the day it was printed, no inscriptions and now - MINE! (it was also relatively inexpensive!)
I was absolutely thrilled and delighted to finally secure the hardback version you see above - it is a book that has inspired and sustained my enjoyment of the hobby since I first clapped eyes on it in Sheerness library around 1971. I could not begin to quantify the lasting impact this book has had on me but suffice it to say that ‘immense’ may partially cover it!
I have a softback version of the book but as it is a facsimile edition the pictures are a little on the dark side - which is not helpful when looking at black and white images. I had coveted a hardback edition for many, many years but the only time I ever saw any copies invariably they were too expensive for my budget. Three figure price tags for this are not uncommon.
Now here is the thing. The likelihood of me painting or even owning similarly organised armies is absolutely zero - lottery win notwithstanding - and I have nothing but admiration for those that do. I have fought both the actions featured in the book - Blasthof Bridge and Sittangbad - using 18th century collections and indeed, even using early WW1 figures for the latter but now would be more likely to do so using the Portable Wargame and my block armies.
Using the block armies would be viable but, as the good Brigadier and Lieutenant Colonel sternly pointed out:
“You will not, we suppose, be so lost to all feeling, as to represent your units and formations by counters, blocks of wood or cards.” (Page 114)
Block armies and Charge! - I hope in the wargames Valhalla that these two worthies are no doubt residing that they do not look too disapprovingly at the heresy I shall be undertaking!
As a wise man once said: “Back of the net!”
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