Principles of War

Magazine

Review by Richard Brooks


I am not going to re-review "Principles of War" rules (Tom Penn, Talavera House, 138 Godiva Road, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8TA, Great Britain) again, rather I am going to relate my interest in "Principles of War - The Magazine". Ron Telucky reviewed the rules originally for the Heliograph several years ago and found them to be quite nice and very playable. Since that time PoW has introduced "Colonial Army Lists" and PoW The Magazine, both of which are really very good. The "Colonial Army Lists" 70 different armies from Abyssian to Zulu, from 1840 to 1918 and takes all the guesswork out of playing solo or even a team against an umpire playing the enemy. Highly Recommended.

As to "PoW The Magazine" (John Hollyoak, 63 Vivian Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 0DT, Great Britain) a one year sub, 4 issues, is £ 5 which equates to about $10 air mail, and is very well worth the money - Highly Recommended! There are figure reviews based on PoW usage, generally 15 mm 19th century armies of all types. There are articles, obviously geared toward PoW, such as Rules Queries, but then there are articles that, frankly, become more interesting to everyone who games in the 19th century not just for PoW fans. These include telegraphs, ammo replenishment, and built up areas to name a few good ones. Although I have yet to read a bad one.

Anyway other articles describe battles and tactics for PoW useage from Napoleonic to WWI, the NWF to the trenches all with lots of great information that can be used for almost any colonial gaming. Each issue also includes army lists for specific battles to entire wars.

All told very nicely done, and certainly well worth the money. Even if you don't use the rules PoW themselves, the PoW Magazine is Highly Recommended on its own merit and quite useful for stealing their ideas for your own house rules. But better ask first if you're going to press with them.


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© Copyright 1998 by Richard Brooks.

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