The author has been a wargamer since the 1970s, member of Wargame Developments and a serious rule writer since the early 1990s. His longstanding interest in asymmetric warfare led him to develop a series of wargames to reflect the individual characteristics of such conflicts. This is his first book published through The History of Wargaming Project.

The topic of counter Insurgency is under represented in table top hobby wargames. The relatively few sets of rules in this area have nearly all focused on the tactical level combat. All except one of these sets of rules are written to portray the operational/ campaign level situation. Using card based systems, these games are particularly suitable for the solo wargamer.

These games are not ‘fair’; they each aim to give the wargamer a greater understanding of the particular conflicts they represent. From the sands of the Sahara, to the Mountains of Afghanistan, they place the wargamer in the position of command; facing an elusive enemy. The games Boots on the Company Level Actions in the early 21st. Century An Isolated Six Months in the Sahara Eight Years in a Distant Soviet involvement in Afghanistan Counter- insurgency in South West Africa Good Morning LBJ’s War 1965-68 Flying The Irish Troubles 1920-21 This book is published by the History of Wargaming Project as an example of recent innovation in hobby wargames.

Besides a Foreword written by Brian Train (who is probably the foremost designer of counter insurgency board wargames), the books has six separate rules for COIN games:

• Company Level Actions in the Early 21st Century: Boots on the Ground (by John Armatys)
• An Isolated Outpost: Six Months in the Sahara
• Soviet involvement in Afghanistan: Eight Years in a Distant Country
• Counter-Insurgency in South West Africa
• The Irish Troubles 1920-21: Flying Column
• LBJ’s War 1965-68: Good Morning Vietnam!

The book also contains an extensive list of COIN games and rules as well as a five-page bibliography. To me this was the best part of the book.

I liked it and it was worth the purchase at under AU$25.00 from Amazon.