Merry Christmas everyone

And a Happy Life Day to those who would prefer that:

Ahhh, the Star Wars Xmas special - still had a better plot than The Force Awakens.

Nate

Welcome home.

As a consequence of my disillusionment with the Force Awakens I began toying with the idea of moving on my rather large collection of Star Wars miniatures. When I mentioned it to John he said that he was interested, and I suggested a swap. In return for the Star Wars collection, I could have the Arab-Israeli, Crimean War and Great Northern War figures returned to their place of origin. He seemed to think that was fair, so in the last week this deal has been duly done. John dropped them all around today (minus the Arab-Israeli jets which I'll get later) and I felt I needed to take a few photos of my prodigal sons before they are returned to the cabinets.

From left to right: Great Northern War, Arab Israelis, Crimean War

The Great Northern War Pocket Project. This might be expanded in 2016 as I have a few extra regiments to paint

The Israeli army, originally built for the Yom Kippur War but kitted out to work for 1967 as well.

The Egyptians (UAR) which has the same back story.

The Crimean War pocket project. I may yet expand this a bit further as well - particularly artillery and cavalry

It is great to have these guys back. The latest Flames of War book for Fate of a Nation is on my shopping list, and expect a few battle reports in 2016 involving these chaps.

Nate

This year's reading list

Normally I don't read a lot of fiction, but 2015 has seen a bit of a shift in that stance. This year I've managed to read (that I can remember) 11 novels - all historical fiction. That is probably not much for some people, but I do tend to spend most of my reading time reading books about true stuff, rather than made up stuff.
The change in focus has come about largely thanks to two authors and their series - Conn Iggulden and Ben Kane. Most readers are probably familiar with Iggulden, he has been around for a while and wrote the 'Emperor' series about Julius Caesar (who wasn't an Emperor, but more on that soon) and the Conqueror series about Genghis Khan - who was definitely a conqueror. In the last couple of years he released a new series which focuses on the Wars of the Roses, and it is a stunner. I've devoured all three books this year: Stormbird, Trinity and Bloodline, and can't wait for the next installment. The series has made the Wars of the Roses, a bit of a confusing period in many ways, very accessible. Admittedly there is some license taken with some of the events and the characters develop the way that the author wants them too, but in general, if you are intending to play WotR using Lion Rampant then this series is for you!
 

I enjoyed these books so much I went back to his series about one of my favourite historical personages of all time - Julius Caesar. I read two chapters of Death of Kings and threw it down. Historical fiction can twist and tweak history, but there is stuff that you just don't muck around with, and it was mucked with pretty badly. In case it was just that book, I then picked up the last book in the series, The Gods of War. This time I only got through one chapter. To be fair, no-one is going to write about this period better than Colleen McCullough did in her First Man of Rome series, but honestly - Pompey as dictator and Julia still alive in 49BC?
Despite this, I decided that I would try out the Conqueror series, starting out with Lords of the Bow, the second book in the series. The reasons for ignoring the first book were twofold. First, I wasn't that interested in reading about Temujin before he became Genghis Khan; and secondly, I picked it up cheap at a second hand sale. I have to say, this book was more like it. I have no idea about the historical accuracy of the book's background, and this is probably a good thing, because inaccuracies did not stop me enjoying a well delivered story. I have the rest of the Conqueror series lined up for next year.

At a conference of Classical Studies teachers I was told by a colleague that if I was interested in Hannibal (which I am), that I might enjoy Ben Kane's books. So I tried the first one last year and found it quite slow to get into. I am not good at persevering through fiction, and I put it down for a couple of months. Then the Christmas break came along and I took it to the beach where I had time on my hands. The more I read, the more I couldn't put it down. Needless to say this year I have read the next two books in the series, Fields of Blood and Clouds of War, and thoroughly enjoyed them. The story has developed the characters to the point where the reader really cares about them, which doesn't always happen in historical novel (I wouldn't be upset if Richard Sharpe was killed in a book, but was very annoyed with the death of a supporting character in Clouds of War). One of the important things to note is that Hannibal and other top commanders are not the people followed in the book. The main characters are soldiers in the armies, but they have a well-connected back-story. The series is highly recommended, and Kane's first Spartacus novel is on my reading list for the holidays.
  

At the beginning of the year, as I was rifling through the bargain bins after Xmas, I came across a book by Patrick Mercer, whom I know as the author of the Osprey Campaign book on Inkerman. It seems that he has also turned his hand to novel writing, and, no surprises, the first one is set in the Crimean War. As I was in the middle of the 15mm Crimean pocket project at the time, I picked it up. I'm really glad that I did. Mercer is thoroughly well researched and his main character, Anthony Morgan, is an identifiable hero. It gave me a fantastic feel for the Crimea from a soldier's perspective, and for the mid-nineteenth century in general. The only thing that I didn't like was I felt that the novel finished too quickly, I could have done with another 50 pages of denouement. I see he has released a second novel with Anthony Morgan turning up for the Indian Mutiny, so I'll definitely give that a go.


In the afterward of Clouds of War, Ben Kane acknowledged Harry Sidebottom's hero, Ballista, as inspiration for a quirk of one of his characters. So I checked out whether the local library had any of his books. Of the two on the shelf at the time, I picked up the earliest one in the series, King of Kings, second in the Warrior of Rome series. In short, I liked it. It isn't a period of Roman history that I'm particularly familiar with, being set in the mid third century AD, and I learned a lot. His research is impeccable (he is a classics professor, so it should be!) and he has created a solid hero who has to deal with more danger from the politics of the Imperial Court than the enemy. I'm very keen to read the next book in the series, especially as this one ended with our hero's future up in the air!


Finally, we have Bernard Cornwell. I read Sharpe's Escape, for completeness as much as anything, although the formula is really starting to wear thin with this series. 1356 which came out several years ago, but I hadn't got around to reading. I enjoyed it, but I can't say that Thomas of Hookton needed any more adventures after the Grail quest, which, like the Arthur series, always seemed to be a self contained trilogy. Currently I am reading The Pagan Lord and I have the Empty Throne to start straight afterward. I wasn't originally that taken with Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his story, wading my way through the first book. But then as the story began to grow around him, I've found the series much more entertaining. I still don't really care for Uhtred himself, but I really enjoy the series, which builds on itself and doesn't just become formulaic adventure every novel like Sharpe.


So that has been my historical reading this year. Hopefully some people will see something that they haven't read before and think that they will give it a try. As for me, I'm going to try and make it at least 12 novels in 2016.

Nate

Last Irregulars games night of the year

The Irregulars had their last games night for 2015 around at John's house, where we ate ham, drank beer and payed games. The games were a 600 point Flames of War tournament. which was won by the Allies in general, and John in particular. My little tank force got beaten up pretty badly in almost every game, but I did do some silly things (you shouldn't charge Panzer IIIs into 6 pounders? Who'd have thought?), so no complaints there.

Adam and John fight across a heavily built up area.

I face off against Chris in a less crowded arena.

The food was great - John and his wife Rose are both chefs and they provided a fantastic meal and beverages. It was a fun night and a good way to catch up with everyone just before Christmas. Apologies that there aren't any battle reports or many photos - I was too busy getting my butt whipped (figuratively speaking of course) to take photos.

Nate

Not a review, more a tiny rant

This post contains no spoilers about The Force Awakens. I was going to do an in-depth review early next year when people have seen it and the key elements of plot were well-known. But I doubt I'll be revisiting it. So this rant will avoid giving away anything but my personal reaction to the movie.
I'll start by stating that a lot of people have enjoyed Star Wars Episode VII. You probably will too. If you are someone that felt betrayed by the prequels and hated them, then this probably is the movie you have been waiting for. But not me.

For Episode VII, dream up a better plot I shall.

I've made no secret of the fact that I liked the prequels. Was there stuff I thought could have been different? Yes - mostly Jar Jar and some of the wooden dialogue and 'yippee'. But what George Lucas did do was tell a story. We knew Anakin would fall, but Lucas created a situation that made sense for that to happen. The background to the collapse of the Republic was explored in a way that advanced the story and gave a message to us at the same time. Star Wars under Lucas explored the diversity of human experience and created a modern myth. 

Episode VII does not do that. It is derivative and dull. The plot twists are few and telegraphed. There is no wonder in this movie for me. It gives me nothing new. In fact it has taken something away from me. Star Wars was a pivotal influence on me growing up, shaping my sense of wonderment and perception of the universe. The prequels built on this, even though I was an adult when I saw them. Episode VII has had the opposite effect. It is a missed opportunity to do wonderful things with characters we all loved. It has no soul. It has no myth. It has killed a little bit of my childhood. I found it nothing short of depressing. I am now seriously considering selling all of my Star Wars miniatures and moving on. Over-reaction? Possibly, but my reaction nonetheless.

I said in my eariler post this week that Star Wars is a very personal journey for many of us. I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with what I have written. That does not make it any less true for me.

Nate

Ronin

While I await the figures I've ordered for 1588 I thought I'd get another skirmish project underway. This is the first buntai for Ronin and represents men from the clan of Tomuchisake Dan.

The Buntai assembles under a Torii gate.

The Samurai leader.

The companion Samurai.

Ashigaru with yari.

Asigaru with Yumi

Ashigaru with teppo

Note that they all bear the mon of the Tomuchisake clan - a stylised half empty sake bottle.
All figures are from the Perry Samurai range. Although I've now painted plenty of this range for Geoff, this is my first time dealing with Japanese armour with all of its laces. I've learned a few things that I'll keep in mind for when I paint up the opposition to this group, the buntai for Yumisushi Nate. First and foremost is the top of the do (cuirass) and how it connects at the shoulders. Second, it would be a good idea to leave the area under the laces that connect the kusazuri (tassets) black in order for the laces to stand out more. This clan has gone to the expense of lacquering all of the armour red, but the next one will be in metallic black, so the laces and clothing will provide all of the colour.
In the meantime, I have some fallshirmjager to paint for Craig, so I'll get cracking on a few of them next.

Nate

The Force Awakens - tonight!

Reviews from the premier are overwhelmingly positive and thankfully spoiler free.  I have my ticket for the one minute past Midnight screening of the Force Awakens so there are no more sleeps and I'm getting pretty excited about it. Given that this blog is overwhelmingly about wargaming, it can be easy to miss what a Star Wars geek I am and what an impact those movies had on my life as a youngling. Growing up in the middle of nowhere I felt like the only true Star Wars fan in the universe, and I still get a little jealous when other people demonstrate that they are just as if not more influenced by the films. It's a weird emotion to have, but I think it speaks to the very personal journey each Star Wars fan takes. As such, I think I'd like to mention ten of the things I'm hoping for from this film that not everyone will necessarily agree with, but, meh, it's not their list.

1. Fun. Even in the darkest films - Revenge of the Sith and Empire, there have been elements of fun. There's always chases, explosions and quips. I think everyone wants this.
2. A memorable moment. For me every film has at least one scene that stands out in my mind and is the first thing I think of when I recall them. For Empire it is Han Solo being frozen in carbonite. For Clones, it is Yoda duelling with Dooku. Give me more of these.
3. Han Solo. No, he's MY favourite character - you're not allowed to like him too! He is my favourite fictional personality of all time. Only Cyclops of the X-Men comes close, but there is still quite a distance between them. The trailer seems to indicate that he will have a big role in this film, and I couldn't be happier.

'How come you don't have any grey in your fur Chewie?'

4. Chewbacca. Often seen as a supporting character, but not by me. Chewie is a fantastic character in his own right and I'm looking forward to watching the fuzzball laugh it up again tonight. Chewie has been treated abysmally in the expanded universe - from having a speech defect in Zahn's novels to being killed in the Yuzhaan Vong invasion. And on that note:
5. Shattering the Expanded Universe. Aside from Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire trilogy, most of the post- RotJ expanded universe has been dreck. Bringing back Palpatine? Really? So that whole Anakin Skywalker saga - you know, his fall and redemption that the movies were supposed to be all about - was for nothing? The less said about the Yuzhaan Vong the better. If ever you could take a winning franchise and screw it up, it would not be George Lucas who did it, but the New Jedi Order books.

'The stupid - it burns!'

6. Midichlorians. Despite the wails and gnashing of teeth from hippies and fanboys who desperately want to be Jedi, midichlorians were an inspired idea. If the criteria for being able to wield the force was being cool, then Han and Chewie would be Jedi. If it was just believing in the force, then everyone who says 'May the Force be with you' would be a Jedi. I'm sorry, but a genetic predisposition to the force, passed on through bloodlines makes sense. Go team midichlorian!

'Don't hate on us because we got midichlorians and you don't, bitch!'

7. (Some) politics. The prequels may have overdid it a bit, but they did provide a lot of chrome and depth to the Star Wars universe. I don't want a Senatorial talkfest, but it doesn't look like the New Republic is doing that great in the trailers, so a bit of background as to why will be really handy.
8. A good baddie. Can Kylo Ren live up to the legacy of Darth Vader and Darth Sidious?

Cowl. Check. Red lightsaber. Check. Masked visage. Check. First name is Darth... errr

9. The Millenium Falcon. I know it is there - I've seen the trailers. I'm just really looking forward to seeing it in action again.
10. Jar Jar Binks.

Just Kidding.

Nate