Corona Virus - Loose yourself in some books

There are always "books" ...

In the professional wargame category I have plenty of books to skim, read and re-read (see below, Sabin's [Lost Battles and Simulating War], GLB [Successful Professional Wargames], Dunnigan, Perla [The Art of Wargaming] are old classics long read, but I have plenty of other stuff with interesting idea in abundance, mainly it seems from the History of Wargaming Project):

Then there are the books from the historical category and there are plenty of them on the bookshelves (see below, the Pacific War is my current theme which ties in with the 1/3000 Navwar models, so this is a small section of my dusty books):

Or a general scientific interest (see below, Blink if a good lite-read):

Slightly heavier but packed full of thought provoking ideas (see below, I particularly like Newton's "apple" on the front cover):

And let's not forget the rules which I have bought and should have really read by now. This is a large category. Carrier and Tokyo Express are specifically solitaire games so ideal for the current circumstances(see blow, XTR Victory at Midway is a personal favourite of mine that I am playing via email to an independent umpire against an unseen third party):

Hopefully chances are by the time you read "one or more" book and played "one or more" games then the Corona Virus thing will have all blown over! Famous last words. Anything not done by the end of the lock-down needs seriously to be put on the "never happening" project shelf!

Four Books That Inspired: Three Read and One Reading (Starting)

For those who need wargaming book recommendations in this time of enforced isolation, here are my recommendations:

Matthew B Caffrey's "On Wargaming", the summation of this man's wargaming knowledge into a venerable tome of insight, essential reading - understand the past to understand the future and not repeat the mistakes of the past (see below, available FREE at https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/newport-papers/43/):

Winning a Future War is the definitive guide as to how the USN prepared to fight the Great Pacific War that they "knew" was coming. It explains the reason why the "Ticket to Manilla" was not recognised as a viable strategy in the opening gambit of WWII (see below, also available FREE from, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/publications/publications-by-subject/winning-a-future-war.html):

From a recreational perspective I loved the "Wargaming Compendium" as it hit the mark for inspiring and charming teh reader with a "just go do it" feel (see below, I obtained the Kindle version when it was on offer and can see myself getting the hard-copy version too, more details to be found at: https://thewargamingcompendium.com/):

See previous post but I am in the middle of this and loving it from GLB, to those in the know, no more needs to be said (see below, this van be found at  http://www.wargaming.co/professional/details/professionalhandbook.htm or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Successful-Professional-Wargames-Practitioners-Handbook/dp/0244803641):

Happy reading and keep safe (distancing) in these troubled times!

What I am reading just now ... naturally a wargame book

I know that in this time of world crisis, a place of unreal social distancing, people contact is good via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype or Chime .. not forgetting to House Party, but it is also nice to find a quiet corner, sit down with a cup of tea and just read a good book (see below, Successful Professional Wargames: A Practitioners Handbook - maybe not available at newsagents but at good online retail outlets there should be copies available):

Graham Longley-Brown is one of the driving members of the Connections UK Professional Wargaming Conference, an experienced British Army officer and a genius of bringing together disparate information into a cohesive whole, his art is the art of the "seemingly blindingly obvious" which people forget about, he restates it and it comes to the rightful place in the front not forgotten back of the mind [thank you for also reminding us that, no one person has the answer to everything and a collective of people working together is far more stranger than a silo of clever individuals not talking to each other]:

John Curry's - "History of Wargaming Project":
http://www.wargaming.co/professional/details/professionalhandbook.htm

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Successful-Professional-Wargames-Practitioners-Handbook/dp/0244803641

PS: The introductions section itself is a "Who's Who" of Wargaming and informative read!

Note: I am not taking commission but an intent on propagating good wargaming knowledge.

;)

A Great Wargaming Read: On the Xmas Bucket List for Sure!

This one goes straight on my "must have" wargaming bucket list (hopefully arriving well before Xmas). The long-awaited Graham Longley-Brown's, "Successful Professional Wargames: A Practitioner's Handbook" (the author is simply referred to as GLB in the professional wargaming community - but I bet its contents will be an avid read to all in the recreational side of the hobby too):

Available from:

History of Wargaming Project:

http://www.wargaming.co/professional/home.htm

Amazon Link (don't forget to "look inside" and see for yourself a glimpse of the material):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Successful-Professional-Wargames-Practioners-Handbook-ebook/dp/B07Y2FNPV8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Successful+professional+wargaming&qid=1573725013&sr=8-1

GLB is known as the key driver behind Connections UK, he motivates, gets things done and inspires others to do the same. It is no exaggeration to say that GLB has forgotten more about wargaming than most people will ever know in a lifetime but his genius is that he humbly collates, assembles and assimilates 'best practice' from around the world and across disciplines. Then, bless his cotton socks, he disseminates it in a clear and precise manner. More importantly he is never afraid to return to the old texts, relearn the old lessons and implement them in new ways to facilitate better learning. His "keep it simple" infantry origins show through in spades, this is a man who can turn theory into effective practice which simply put, will save real world lives. Respect.

Don't take my word for it, judge for yourselves: You can listen to the man at Connections UK 2016 (High Engagement Wargames) here to get a sense of the enthusiasm he brings to the subject (also check out the PDF slide deck and video).