Pardon me for being an electronic Paul Revere, but I must get off my soapbox, onto my data horse, and ride through the electronic countryside yelling, "The Internet is coming! The World Wide Web is coming! The historical hobby magazines are coming!"

Of course, I've covered computer online services for over a decade for a variety of computer publications, and some hobby publications stetch back almost three decades, so you may rightly say I'm a little behind the times. But now, and I do mean now, these magazines are all meeting each other in one single place--and it's going to improve the way you retrieve historical information and sample other magazines.

A company called Coalition Web, Inc. is putting together a World Wide Web site called Magazine Web ("magweb"" for short) that contains the full text of history and hobby magazines, starting with a dozen or so (many listed below) and expanding to include others as rapidly as possible. For the price of lunch at a fast food restaurant, you get a month of unlimited reading to all the publications, including back issues and additional material not found in a magazine. Eventually, when you research scenarios, you'll be able to type in a word, phrase, or topic and pull up a list of all the articles run by all publications in the site, then read the ones you want. It's run by three longtime wargamers with a real passion for miniatures--I ought to know, I just left my day job to run the company full time.

You need to be on the Web, which means you need a computer (PC or Mac), a modem, and an account with either an online service (like America Online, Prodigy, or Compuserve), or a local ISP (internet service provider). If you are a long-distance telephone customer of AT&T or MCI, these two companies provide you with five FREE hours of internet access. once on, there is a "free" site with sample articles. The "pay" site, reached via a password scheme, offers all the articles available.

Of course, the printed versions of wargame magazines will continue to flourish because as good as the World Wide Web is, modem speeds need to increase to get full-page eyepopping graphics on the monitor screen with the same clarity as on the printed page--and not to mention appearing on screen with some speed (fancy graphics can be agonizingly slow).

But this is a good start at bringing historical gaming and hobby information together in one place, and introducing the millions of potential recruits out there on the Web to a collection of magazines supporting a fascinating hobby. As I write, the site is under construction (certainly the back issues are going to take some time to include) but should be opening in July.

The free (and pay) site is at:
http://www.magweb.com

If you want to reach me, my e-mail address is:
lockwood@magweb.com

And now on to the magazines. As before, each rating: PQ (Physical Quality of layout, print quality, and use of graphics), WR (Wit Rating or quality of writing and sustainable interest level), and IR (Inspiration Rating or creativity of ideas and reference value) comes with a grade (A,B,C,D,F).

Age of Napoleon -- #19; 40pgs.; 8.5xl2"; PQ A, WR A, IR A; On Military Matters, 55 Taylor Terr., Hopewell, NJ 08525; $36 per year, bimonthly. David Chandler pens an article on his experience at the 1995 re-enactment of Waterloo, a look at Wurttemburg Cavalry Standards 1798-1815, the start of a three-part article on the French invasion of Portugal, an interesting look at battlefield preservation (Village of Niedersulz on the Marchfeld, Austria), a scenario for the Battle of Teugen-Hausen 1809, an examination of the French General Marceau, a profile of the 8th French Hussars regiment, an inside story on the making of Fields of Glory computer game, and a write-up of the reenactment on the Battle of Wagram.

BattleFields -- Voll#4; 48pgs.; 8.5xl211; PQ A, WR B, IR A; On Military Matters, 55 Taylor Terr., Hopewell, NJ 08525; $36 per year, bimonthly. The big magazine of well-illustrated scenarios has five to offer: Busaco 1810, Operation Red (Somme River crossings) 1940, Winceby 1643, Shenendoah Valley Campaign 1862, and Part I of 4 on the 2nd Punic Wars, this one on the Battle of Trebbia 218BC. In addition, Part I of Dien Bien Phu 1953/1954 contains the history (but no maps, OOB, etc. for a scenario), a look at the idea of battlefield formations and other factors used in wargames, and a letters section round out another superb issue.

Canadian Wargames Journal -- Volume 9 Number 4; 74pgs; 5.5x8.5"; PQ A, WR A, IR C; Box 1725 Station M, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 2L7; $19 per year, Quarterly. This house organ for a variety of board wargame companies has one article on recon and AA units for Great Battles of WWII. Also note that Clash of  Arms released From Valmy to Waterloo Napoleonic miniatures rules.

El Dorado -- Vol. 7, #3; 50pgs.; 5.5x8.5"; PQ C, WR B, IR A; Paul Walsh, 227 Sunnybrook Rd., Springfield, PA 19064; $25 per year, quarterly. South and Central American military history are well covered with book reviews, Part 2 of the uniform guide to Imperial Brazilian troops during the War of the Triple Alliance, a battle report on an 1810- 1812 expedition from Spain to South America to quell a rebellion, Part 2 of the War Between the Peru-Bolivian Confederation and Chile 1837-1839 (including battle reports), Part 1 of the use of airborne forces in the Peru-Ecudorean War (1941), the French Expedition against Mexico (1838), and a few shorter pieces.

First Empire -- #27; 44pgs.; 8.5x,2"; PQ A, WR A, IR A; On Military Matters, 55 Taylor Terr., Hopewell, NJ 08525; $36 per year, bimonthly. The usual well-done issue includes scenarios for The Battle of orthez 1814 and Battle of Sacile 1809, a look at infantry packs, a short report on Sharpe Series 4, the usual treasure trove of Napoleonic news for reenacters, a look at the 15th Light Dragoon (King's Hussars) reenactment group, book and rule reviews, examinations of Wellington and MacDonald as commanders, and a review of The Foundry's Imperial Guard range.

Guthrum's Army -- #46 and #47; 16 pages; 8.5xll"; PQ C, WR B, IR C; Richard and Vivian Brooks, PO Box 718 Swansea, SC 29160; $5 per four issues, roughly four issues per year. GA covers warfare from 400-1100AD in a discussion-style format with bits and ieces on a topic spread over several issues--both its forte, in that there's a lot of interesting tidbits and opinions, and its foible, in that it is less structured than a traditional publication. You have to read closely, especially the "letters" section. #46 contains an extensive bibliography of English translations of primary source works for the period 284-814. Paddy Griffith offers side-by-side translations of The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles for King Alfred's Wars 878-892. #47 contains a good piece on helmets, more on King Alfred's Wars, and lots of letters.

The Heliograph #92 Feb 96 and #93 Apr 96; 44pgs.; 8.5xll"; PQ B, WR C, IR B; Richard Brooks, PO Box 716, Swansea, SC 29160; $12 per 6 issues ($15 Canada, 15 pounds for Europe) Switching to the MWAN-style format, Heliograph a facelift makes it easier to old and read, as well as going to a 44-page format (at $12 per six issues). Articles for #92 include: Book and figure reviews (with poorly scanned illustrations), a Science vs. Pluch scenario called Custer's Luck, Part 1 of Gerrnan Colonial uniforms with some poorly scanned photos, and a drawing from the 1894 Ping Yang campaign. Scarmed images need to be clearer--the results are much too dark--although this is an improvement over text-only copy. Articles for #93 include: Part 1 of a paragraph game, The Rescue of Sultan Bey, a battle report on using the new Piquet rules system for a Boxer Rebellion scenario, more colonial-period action in the movies, and many more figure reviews.

Lone Warrior -- #114; 40pgs.; 8.5xll"; PQ B, WR B, IR A; Solo Wargamers Assn., 1707 Ridge Rd., Levenworth, KS 66048; $20 per year, quarterly. The 20th anniversary (North American edition) issue comes with scenarios for a WWII Hungarian paratroop drop in the Ukraine at Sosnovka, June 1942 and a US invasion of Haiti 1994, use of DBA (HOTT) for turmel games, a nifty Horse and Musket era campaign setup, use of individual figures to give units "visual orders," a pair of wild west gunfight rules (one with scenario), a discussion of colonial-era skirmish rules development that turned into sci-fi rules, an interesting look at assigning commander and subcommander characteristics (and the battlefield consequences), a collection of reviews, letters, and other observations.

Lone Warrior -- #114; 68pgs.; 5.5x8.5"; PQ C, WR B, IR B; Steve Moore, 120 Great Stone Rd., Firswood, Manchester, England, BB5 5RD; USA $35 airmail, quarterly. This is the UK version, with the same articles as the NA edition, plus many others. In addition to the above, there's a piece on how to spice up solo gaming with tips on terrain and enemy force compositions, a filing system for solo campaigners, some "chance cards" to put some (more?) uncertainty into a battle, Part 3 of battlefield visiting, and additional figure reviews.

The Naval Sitrep -- #6 and #7; 16pgs.; 8.5xllll; PQ A, WR C, IR B; Viking Forge, 1727 Theresa Ln., Powhaten, VA 23139; $15 quarterly. Part l of a Harpoon mini-campaign game based around the Russians reneging on a deal to give back the Kuril Islands to Japan, a poem about "The Laws of the Navy," a book review of Code Name: Downfall, a review of 1/2400 aircraft, and general news mark the issue. In #7 comes Part 2 of the Harpoon mini-campaign game, a naval order of battle of the Japanese Maritime SelfDefense Force 1990-1995, and formation rules for Command At Sea rules. A book review of "High Seas: The Naval Passage to an Uncharted World," news, and a short bit on WWI-WWII British efforts to economize on cruiser construction by eliminating aft main battery directors.

Napoleon -- #2; 64 pages; 8-5xll; PQ A, WR A, IR A; The Emperor's HQ, 5744 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60634; $33 per year (US), $35 (Canada), $38 (all other countries via surface mail), bimonthly. Another superb issue about the Napoleonic era traces the Army of Italy's 1796 campaign, offers an excerpt from Brent Nosworthy's book "With Musket Cannon and Sword,"  profiles Charlotte Corday (the murderer/martyr of Murat), provides a survey of Napoleonic uniform reference sources and products, and includes some reviews, letters, and a tour of Napoleonic museums. It is well illustrated, well written, and knocked some of the kinks out of the premiere issue.

Practical Wargamer -- Mar/Apr 1996 and May/Jun 1996; 56 pgs.; 8.5x121'; PQ A, WR A, IR A; Wise Owl Worldwide Services, 4314 W. 238th St., Torrance, CA 90505; $26 per year bimonthly. The usual bright mix of news leads offthe issue, followed by B&W illustrations of a French Infantry Lt 1809 and Prussian Pomeranian Cavalrymen 1814, a report of the First PW Wargaming Weekend, an Ian Weekly piece on making roofs for houses, Sci-Fight fast play sci-fi tactical rules, a multitude of reviews, and scenarios for The Battle of Assaye 1803, Sudan 1882 battle, Battle of CedarMountain 1862, and Rottingdean 1377 (solitaire). In the May/Jun issue, news is accompanied by a look at the 1996 Napoleonic fair, scenarios for Talavera 1809, a Conan fantasy battle, a WWII British airborne attack on the Tragino Aqueduct 1940, a general French and Indian War skirmish, and the stand of seven samurai from the movie, Seven Samurai. Also, rules for Trojan War "heroic challenges," Ian Weekly's modelling of Chitral Fort in Afghanistan (and siege of 1895), and a variety of reviews end another good issue.

PW Review -- Jan 96; 20pgs.; 8.5xll"; PQ C, WR A, IR B; Walter Simon, 12905 Layhill Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20906; $? per year, monthly. The usual goings on in the basement include: The Attack on Qa'am (part II), a look at and replay of Milton Bradly's Beast Masters game, an AWI Battle of Lexington, and a house rules ancients game.

Saga -- #53; 44pgs; 5.5x8.5"; PQ B, WR B, IR A; SAGA, 890 Janes Rd., Rochester, NY 14612; $25 per year ($30 Canada, $35 elsewhere), bimonthly. A facelift using a new laser printer makes this the most readable version et--and is so rewarded by being bumped up to a PQ of B. The thought-provoking articles in this issue: The Huns under DBM, a pair of philosophical looks at the community of ancient gamers and its rules preferences, overviews of DBR as ell as a battle replay, Part 6 (of 6) on the Evolution of the Republican Roman Arrny (from SOA), a WRG 7th battle replay between the Burgundian and Teutonic armies, and a nifty Battle of Mortimer's Cross from the War of the Roses with multiple 00Bs (for WRG 1420- 1700, Medieval Tactica, Armati, and DBM rules--well done). Sadly, after this issue, Saga no longer will swap articles with the Society of Ancients.

Zouave -- Vol 10 No. 1 (Spring 1996); 28pgs.; 8.5xll"; PQ A, WR B, IR A; The Command Post, 20578 Alliance-Sebring Rd., Alliance, OH 44601; $16 per year, quarterly. The 38th issue begins The Zouave's 10th year of publication--let's give editor Dave Reynolds a cheer for providing a quality American Civil War magazine. In the issue: a history of the 19th Ohio Volunteer infantry, scenarios for Pickett's Mill, Battle of Prairie Grove, and Mobile Bay, an interesting look at multi-day battles with losses and stragglers for Fire&Fury, and a nifty examination of artillery at Gettysburg.

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