Product Description

Often referred to as a companion volume to Wells' wargaming classic Little Wars, Floor Games is H.G. Wells' 1911 introduction to recreational gaming. Highlights include a lighthearted, often humorous discussion on the theory and methodology behind a wide variety of "floor" and tabletop games. Features of this new edition include:

* A Foreword by renowned game designer James Dunnigan, founder of game company SPI and magazine Strategy & Tactics, that discusses Wells' influence on the development of the modern wargame.

* An Introduction by publisher Michael. J. Varhola that discusses the fist edition of the book, the special challenges associated with republishing it, and its significance to modern wargames and roleplaying games alike.

* Numerous tips on creation of improvised models, terrain, and other wargaming props.

* Hundreds of pieces of the "marginal art" that illustrated the original 1911 edition of the book.

* Eight photographs taken for the original edition of the book showing the props and games created by Wells and his sons.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #818080 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-04
• Binding: Paperback
• 98 pages

Review
An excellent read! Full of inspiration for impromptu game creation, and a reminder that the simplest of items can, with the aid of imagination, become nearly anything needed for entertainment. Wells' humor shines in this book, and the affection he feels for both his children and the games they play are evident. The photos are not only interesting for their relation to gaming, but as a historical glimpse. If you are a player of games and an imaginer of worlds, this book is well worth picking up. --DriveThruRPG (Jameson Hogan)

Must reading for anyone with an interest in game history or design. A masterwork by a master of literature! --M. Odysseus Warhol

Must reading for anyone with an interest in game history or design. A masterwork by a master of literature. -- M. Odysseus Warhol

About the Author
Michael J. Varhola is an author of numerous books, games, and articles, as well as the founder of game development company and manufacturer Skirmisher Publishing LLC. Non-fiction books he has authored or co-authored include The Writers Complete Fantasy Reference with Terry Brooks, Everyday Life During the Civil War, Fire & Ice: The Korean War, 1950-1953, and D-Day. Gaming books he has authored or co-authored include Experts, Warriors, Tests of Skill, Nuisances, Experts v.3.5, and Nation Builder with Gary Gygax. He is a 1993 graduate of University of Maryland, College Park, from which he received a B.S. in journalism.

Customer Reviews

Another "must have" for the well traveled wargamer
I must admit I had not heard of "Floor Wars" prior to reading "Little Wars". The book predates "Little Wars" but is often considered a companion to the other book. It focuses more on the collecting and building of settings than actual wargaming. The books compliment each other well. "Floor Wars" sparked my imagination even more...taking me back to the little countries and armies that I used to think up in my youth. It was amusing listening to Wells go on about how good figures for certain periods and ranges were not available. I guess nothing really changes after all!

Great piece of gaming history
I was very happy to receive my copy of FloorGames. HG Well's Little Wars is a treasure and I have been looking forward to the Skirmisher reprint of Little Wars. The book is a delight and it's a major work in the history of wargaming and the evolution to role-play gaming. The two-book set would be a fantastic gift opportunity for any wargame fan and I look forward to sending out several sets this next holiday season to friends.

a perfect reproduction!
I had heard about Floor Games around the time I got Little Wars, but this was the first time I had actually seen it or read it. This is a slightly larger format than their edition of Little Wars and it is very nice looking. The information Well's offers on creating scenery for your war games was particularly interesting to me.