Greetings Terry and Bruce

I just received a shipment of mail which included Issues 59, 60 and 61. I was a bit confused by 61 as it had the same cover as 60 but no doubt lots of people made the same comment. I also noted the odd start to 61 which seems to be missing pages.

I realise that this is a rather negative note but then I have a few gripes. Since I have been sending all of my material to Jamie and not getting much feedback, I assumed that you had plenty of articles for each issue. I was therefore doubly surprised that you have once again appealed for more articles but in the last three issues only one of mine has been used. I am really confused. Since arriving in Cyprus in June 1996, I have submitted several articles with the aim of maintaining a regular column. I shall also ask Jamie about this matter.

One other thing that I noted was the reduction in the editorial staff. I have not read anything to explain why there are now only three names.

While it is hardly my place to comment on who does what as this is after all a private venture, could you provide a rationale for the changes. Would you prefer that I send you material directly via e-mail?

I would also like to suggest that you consider some type of guidelines for articles so that the regulars know what to produce. Do you have preferences for length, graphics, format, bibliographies and subjects. I know the last one may seem odd but if you have writers, then why not give them some direction. You made an appeal for several types of articles in #61, so why not task people with specifics?

I see that you have included items from other sources in the recent issues. Does this mean that Slingshot and the others have allowed reprint rights?

I read with interest the exchange between Saga and Thomas Thomas. Jamie informed me last year that NASAMW has undergone a transition in many ways. I tend to agree with Jamie's rebuttal to T.T.'s letter as I have not come across anyone who has commented favourably on NASAMW recent activities.

On a personal note, I was submitting material to Chris Damour while he was editor of Spearpoint. I have not received anything from NASAMW since 1996. I would have thought that T.T. would have communicated with the editorial staff concerning the change in editors. Chris did not respond to my e-mail and I have not been contacted by any officer of the society in the last 12 months. As I paid my membership dues to mid-1997, I expected several issues of Spearpoint last year. Could you either let me know what is the status of the society or provide a contact point so that I can seek answers to my questions. I think that this is an example of the decline in NASAMW which Jamie addressed.

I shall end here so that I do not come across as a disgruntled reader. I have enjoyed reading the last few issues. I realise that it is a lot of work for this "labour of love". I hope that you sustain the drive.

Good luck with the rules. It is good to see that there is lots of interest in alternatives to WRG. If you need any support let me know. I have a keen group of playtesters here.

Can you recommend any good Internet sites? I rely on the 'net to read about current events in the hobby. I have accessed several including the DBM page but I have not checked any of the discussion groups.

Ed. Thanks, Perry, I will be certain to take advantage of your playtest offer. When SAGA switched over to the new format, I lost my lod files, including the SAGA editorial staff listings. They are back again this issue. As for the cover and first page snafu, the printer managed to run the previous issues cover and date, which I tried to correct, and also somehow reversed the printing of the fiirst two and last two pages! All this and a 20% printing cost increase as well. They are still less expensive than the other local printers. On a cynical positive note, the manager is seeking employment elsewhere.

I was hoping that Tom Thomas would reply to Jamie's letter, but nothing yet. I don't know what is going on with NASAMW. SPEARPOINT is coming out once more on a regular schedule, but I haven't heard a word from any of the officers since HISTORICON. I'll let Bruce handle the internet sites. Since I have not joined the worldwide web (and where would I find time for that?), Bruce is graciously taking care of that aspect. Hope to see you at HISTORICON this July, Perry.

Dear Terry,

I wish to thank the typist (Ed. Me!) for converting my rambling notes into an article hopefully of interest to others. I believe that I included such notable works by Polybius and Livy, as well as Toynbee's Hannibal's Legacy. I may not have included John Lazenby's Hannibal, which I recently acquired through a bookseller in England. Another two I most recommend are The First Punic War (John Lazenby) and Republican War (H.L. Havell), both readily available from The Scholar's Bookshelf, 110 Melrich Rd., Cranbury, NJ 08512, itself a source worth tapping for numerous other subjects of likely interest to the readership.

On a closing note to my article, the author of On the Origins of War was that notable scholar, Donald Kagan, and not John Keegan, probably known to other readers for his four volume work on the Pelopenesian Wars.

I personally would be interested in more reviews and/or thumbnail sketches of rules, games and books germane to our period, if coupled with information on how to obtain the same. What is the feeling of the readerhip? I can assist you in this regard if interested. Stuart Schoenberger

Ed. I would appreciate your input, Stuart, as this type of article always spurs interest in perhaps checking out a period we are not that familiar with or know about. The book reviews, etc. are an excellent way to inform us about them.

Dear Terry,

The Hong Kong Society of Wargamers (HKSW) still exists, but with a substantially reduced membership. From a peak of around 75 members, we're now down to around 25-30. Naturally, the "revolving door" nature of Hong Kong life ensures a high turnover, but recently we lost many of the more dedicated "game organizer" types. Then DBM came in as a fad, with the unfortunate effect of driving away the hardcore WRG 7th players, who, by the way, were more willing to experiment with other rules. The DBM types seem less accomadating for people who like to try other rules.

On top of that, most of my naval gaming buddies left HK due to employment chages. The same happened with the Napoleonic circle. The real killer, however, was the loss of most of the guys who ensured we had one "all comers" game each month. We would lug all the lead to the meeting, including terrain, movement/firing sheets, etc., and serve as referees, teachers and advisors for all the guys who were new or relatively new to wargaming. In this way, we were constantly exposing our membership to new rules, new armies, new periods and much more comraderie. This system sucked me into wargaing about ten years ago and I'm still building, painting and warring on the tabletop. It has proved a most satisfying hobby for me.

Ed. I hear this quite a bit. Our own club here in Rochester had problems a few years back when some members felt excluded due to a lack of interest in other rules, gaming systems, etc. This took many years to rectify, and still has left some ex-members with bitter feelings. Clubs would do well to keep trying new things and bring in new members. Exclusivity can result in the loss of potential and current gamers.

Dear Terry,

Hope things are well with youa and that your Medieval Warfare is doing well. Could you plese send me a copy and renew my subscription to SAGA. I'm also looking forward to your efforts in writing a set of ancients rules.

I'm trying to get ready to actually play an ancients game for the first time in 21 years or so and even have a clos-by opponent., Sean Ledford. Also, I am doing research for a local historical novelist, Persia Woolley, who has already published a trilogy on the Arthurian cycle from Guinevere's viewpoint. Her next is on the Trojan Wars from the four queens involved, which has inspired me to try to do something with the idea I once had for doing the historical cycle sarting with the career of Diocletian. Also I've got unpainted armies for Late Romans, Nikephorian, Comnenan and Italian city states. No wonder time seems to speed by with little progress.

Ed. It sure sounds like you have a bit of painting ahead, Jim! I can't talk. Sitting in my basement/wargame room are approximately 2,000 15mm unpainted figures (all ancient/medievals) and over 300 25mm ones! That's not counting the 25mm Galatian army which I've begun to build (thanks in part to Blood Axe miniatures nicely done chariot models, which should be arriving shortly). There was a time not too long ago when I would paint all my figures, but now I've contracted some out and have bought a couple of 15mm painted armies from Dave Ottney. Time just doesn't seem to be there, with various projects, etc.

Two things I would like to do: If the subscribers are interested, I would like to start a classified section with ads for figures, games, rules, etc. at no cost to SAGA members. Secondly, I would like to include the e-mail addresses of all SAGA mambers who would like other members to get in touch with them for hobby related reasons. If you are interested in either of these two things, please let me know.