War Games: The Secret World of the Creators, Players, and Critics of Military Simulations

*War Games* examines the subculture of military simulation gaming through immersive research with designers, players, and critics. Thompson spent five years observing and participating in wargaming communities, from hobbyist tabletop scenarios to professional military training exercises. The book documents how participants engage with historical conflicts through games, exploring their motivations and perspectives. Thompson analyzes the complex relationship between authenticity and playability, showing how game creators balance historical accuracy with mechanical function. The text covers both commercial wargames and official military simulations used for training and planning. Interviews with military personnel, game designers, and dedicated players reveal the different ways these groups approach and utilize combat simulations. At its core, this ethnographic study raises questions about how societies process and represent warfare through games and play. The work examines broader themes of historical memory, military culture, and the intersection of entertainment with serious military applications.

Readers found this an academic examination of military simulations, with emphasis on wargaming culture from the 1950s-1980s. Liked: - Detailed research and oral histories - Coverage of both commercial and professional wargaming - Insights into the psychology of wargamers - Documentation of historical events and conventions Disliked: - Dense academic writing style - Limited coverage of video games/modern simulations - Focus on sociology over gameplay mechanics - High price point for a niche topic One reader noted: "Thompson captured the essence of what makes wargamers tick, though the academic tone can be dry at times." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (11 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (8 reviews) Several readers mentioned the book works better as a reference text than a casual read. Multiple reviewers highlighted the thoroughness of Thompson's research but wished for more accessible writing.

Wargaming on a Budget by Henry Hyde This guide details the techniques and practices of tabletop wargaming communities, from historical miniatures to modern combat scenarios.

Playing at the World by Jon Peterson This work traces the origins of wargaming and its evolution into modern tabletop gaming through military training exercises and Dungeons & Dragons.

The History of Wargaming Project by John Curry The book documents the development of military simulation games from the Prussian Kriegsspiel through contemporary Pentagon training exercises.

Learning to Fight: Military Innovation and Change in the British Army by Robert T. Foley This examination reveals how the British military used wargames and simulations to develop combat doctrine and strategic planning.

Zones of Control: Perspectives on Wargaming by Pat Harrigan, Matthew Kirschenbaum This collection explores wargaming's influence across military, commercial, and academic applications through historical documentation and analysis.

🎮 The author spent over a decade conducting research for the book, including attending numerous war gaming conventions and interviewing hundreds of participants in the military simulation community. 🎯 During World War II, the U.S. Navy used war games to test strategies against Japanese forces, and these simulations accurately predicted several key elements of the Pacific campaign. ⚔️ The book reveals how some major commercial board game companies, like Avalon Hill, originally developed games in partnership with the Pentagon for military training purposes. 🎲 H.G. Wells was an early pioneer of war gaming, creating detailed rule sets for miniature battles in his 1913 book "Little Wars," which influenced modern tabletop gaming. 🏰 Many castle museums in Germany maintain collections of historical kriegsspiel (war game) materials from the 1800s, when the Prussian military first developed systematic war gaming for officer training.