Historical Gamer:

(Numbers 9 and 10 / February & April, 1992) Of interest to SAGA readers in issue #9 is the second [art of Victor O. Schmidt's examination of the Roman debacle in the Teutoburger Wald. I found this portion to be very interesting - Victor covers the actual campaign, analyzes the options open to Varus, the Roman commander, and finally provides a simple yet unique set of rules and scenario for recreating the action with figures. An excellent introduction to a neglected action, and Victor proves that you don't have to simulate stand-up meeting engagements to create an exciting and worthwhile gaming scenario.

Issue number 10 contains the usual variety of articles on other periods, and a short but thought provoking piece by Howard Whitehouse on the real effects of hills on troops and some suggestions on how to simulate them. [Available from your local hobby shop or direct from Historical, Gamer magazine, 1863 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40503]

Spearpoint:

(March, 1992) The latest official publication of the NASAMW (pronounced "f red") contains election material - there are three "tickets" for president and VP, an independant for president, and poor, overworked Scott Dickson running unopposed (but not unpitied) for the tough job of secretary-treasurer. Also included is an article on the Etruscans, a figure review, an interesting approach for setting up an Ancients Gaming League by the astute (and experienced) Brian Lewis, a review of "The Western Way of War" (great book) by Aelred Glidden and other articles on Tactica, DBA and "Ring of Iron". Congratulations to Jim Kasper on a fine balance of content and a move away from the traditional all-out focus on WRG.

Practical Waraamer:

(March/April, 1992) In a return to a balanced approach, this issue offers a spread of articles on a wide variety of periods. Of interest are an article by Michael Nursey on the battle of Magnesia between the (Camillan) Romans and the Seleucids in 190 BC. The text covers the military systems of the two powers and then goes into a step by step account of the actual action, concluding with suggestions for wargaming the engagement. Included are some very nice illustrations by John Parke, including three full color paintings and four maps covering the phases of the action.

Military Illustrated:

(Nos. 45-46) Issue #45 contains nothing of interest, but issue 1 46 contains the first installment of a series on the Roman legio XIIII (according to the article, this was how "14" was written at this time) Gemina Martia Victrix. The article describes the formation :f a re-enactment group based on this formation, which was stationed in 9ainz, Germany, during the Chatti War. It is accompanied by four color photographs showing members of the unit wearing authentic recreations of legionary gear. This article and the coming sequel will be of interest to anyone studying the Early Imperial Roman army. 

Number 52 has nothing of more than a general application to our period, but Number 53 contains a good introduction to Ancient British armies called "Warbands of Ancient Days" by David Snowden. David provides a good introduction to the period, covering British organization, troop types and their roles, fortifications, tactics, raising your army and painting your army. He concludes with some sample battles of this period, and a bibliography for further reading. The article is nicely illustrated with several color photos and some nice maps, including one showing the location of the major British tribes.

Finally, Number 54 contains a nice piece by Mervyn Cartwright on the Punic Wars battle of Lake Trasimene, Hannibal's successful ambush of the Roman army of Flaminius in 216 BC. Mervyn analyzes the Roman order of march and the course of the battle (ambush), and then procedes with suggestions for wargaming the battle, including a WRG-style order of battle.

PW Review:

(May, 1992) Always an interesting read, in the latest issue editor Walter Simon launches into his "annual diatribe against the WRG publications" in a two page article on a recent gaming experience using the siege rules in the WRG 7th edition ancients rules in which he tried to utilize a unit of 2 elements of irregular knights in a sally to destroy some opposing bombards. Wally could not get the irregular knights - he refers to them as "the dreaded IK" - to maneuver appropriately and they wound up getting routed. Wally, who liked the seige rules last year, has now decided he is less than thrilled with them.

The Dispatch:

(September 1991) The Dispatch is the journal (newsletter is too amateur sounding for such a professional publication) of the "Historical Miniatures Association", a group in the greater Texas area covering all aspects of the historical miniatures hobby. Included in the issue at hand are reports on several ancients tournaments and the official amendments to the WRG 7th rules introduced last year at Historicon. A very interesting proposal for a "campaign" tournament is included, where the, loser in each round becomes the vassal of the winner, or Kings, which sounds like it would be fun to try. You can get The Dispatch by contacting the HMA, 8014 Ivory Forest, San Antonio, TX 78239 ($20 per year).

MWAN:

(March/April 1992) Editor Hal Thinglum has announced that he will continue to publish, ending long speculation about the fate of this excellent publication. MWAN's specialty is the current news it contains, the wide variety of subjects covered, and the enthusiasm of its amateur authors. 

Miniature Wargames:

(January, 1992) Though I don't often pick up MM, this Issue caught my eye. of interest is an article by Michael Young, author of he new "Shieldbearer" ancients rules, on the approach to order writing used in his set. He describes the orders system in detail, and then provides an example using a refight of the second battle of the Hydaspes between Alexander the great and the Indians of Poros in 326 BC. An excellent article, and an intriguing set of rules.

Slingshot:

(Issue Nos. 160-161) The second and third issues of 1992, both contain several interesting pieces. Issue 1160 contains a symposium on generals on the battlefield - very interesting, the last installemnt of Paul Walsh's "Warfare in Medieval Ireland: A Bibliography", several interesting columns, and reviews of the new Wargames Foundry Celts, two views on "Ancient Empires", the osprey book on the Aztecs, Mixtecs and Zapotecs and our own illustrious publication (reviewer Duncan Head has mixed thoughts, though he definitely did NOT like my Bronze Age Army review).

Issue 161 has more of the usual, including Jim Kasper's interesting piece on using "d" class troops on the table, reprinted from Spearpoint. This is the first sample of what promises to be an interestingly closer relationship between the SOA and NASAMW. Michael Anastasiadis contributes "Another Look at Arrian" part one and Andy Gittins details his War of the Roses game in "Winter of Discontent". Reviews cover the Chariot Warfare lists reviewed elsewhere in Saga (they also liked them), several issues of Spearpoint, and Alfred Duggan's novel "Count Bohemond". (Slingshot is available by joining the Society of Ancients, c/o Bill Thurlow, 15 Longfleet Rd, Poole, DORSET, BH15 2HN Great Britain)

The Courier:

(Issue #56) The latest issue contains several articles on our period, including "The Tactica Guide to the Hellenistic World: Part Two", which adds Tactica lists for the Pergamenes and Seleucids, by Rick Stuart. Rick includes extensive background on how the lists were developed, and comments on the research behind his conclusions. The method of presentation, similar to that used by Terry for his lists in SAGA appears to be catching on - potential list authors take a hint. Another feature reports on the fictional battle of Vino Rosso, played using a set of rules called "Deus le Volt", by Todd Fisher. All this and many other interesting features. (The Courier is available from the Courier Publishing Company, Box 1878, Brockton, MA 02403]

Wargames Illustrated:

(Numbers 51 through 54, December, 1991 through March, 1992) Number 51 continues Anthony Clipsom's series on the armies of the Early Wars of the Roses, this time focusing on army lists. Threee lists re provided, covering a generic army of the period, a popular rebellion, nd a special list for the Lancastrian/Scottish forces from 1461-1464. The lists cover minimums and maximums for the the number of units of each standard type, and then each unit is diced for to allot strength, armor and morale - an interesting idea on how to make up a list. Also in this issue is the second part of an article by Guy Halsall on the Merovingian Franks. It gives excellent coverage to Frankish appearance, examining both the written and pictorial evidence.