David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Friday 3 December 2021

I have been to...

 ...Hay-On-Wye, second hand book capitol of Britain. As you can see I bought some books. Well, why wouldn't you when the price is right - unlike the rip off prices of some book sellers I could name at wargames shows.











Two books on ACW themes, 'Sword Over Richmond', Wheeler's eye witness based account of the Peninsula Campaign,  and 'All For The Union', the personal diary of Elisha Hunt Rhodes. I find that books like this are invaluable sources of ideas for games in GHQ, and anyway I'm a sucker for diary and letters by folks who were actually there! Then a Bolt Action book, 'Germany Strikes', just for the scenario ideas as I'm no WWII buff - ask Phil! Finally 'Cold War Gone Hot' for ideas and scenarios for next year's project in 15mm, though we don't plan on using the associated rules. 

All from one shop, the Hay Cinema Bookshop, and all for £22 and in 'as new' condition. Booksellers at wargames shows pleas note! Now we are off to Hereford, my first visit since 1968, and I was sick then anyway so it doesn't count!

14 comments:

  1. Hay-On-Wye… you lucky man.
    I haven’t been there in ages, you could easily spend hours in the Cinema Bookshop, I don’t think I’ve ever left that place empty handed.

    All the best. Aly

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  2. A nice haul there David and I'm a sucker for second hand bookshops. I tend to buy most stuff online and second hand these days, as invariably it is cheaper than going to a bricks and mortar store. However browsing in an actual shop often reveals little gems that you stumble across, that you can't do online. Oh and don't get me started on prices some booksellers charge at shows!

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    1. We are as one on prices I'd guess SteveJ.

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  3. I remember visiting Hay on Wyeca number of times in the late seventies and eighties as my mums sister and her husband lived in Malvern and we usually had one holiday there per year - a lovely part of the world! There was even a brick and mortar wargame shop in Pershore if I recall rightly.

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    1. A bricks & mortar war games shop, now there's nostalgia with a capital N!

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  4. Well that will keep you busy 👍

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  5. I am sure there are not as many book shops there than there used to be, but it's still grand to trawl through the shelves and find a book you never wanted.

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    1. Hard to say, they seem to be all over and down every alley, nook & cranny. You did well yourself too.

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  6. You mentioned the Battlegroup rules somtime back when talking about your planned cold war project (15mm FOW)?
    I've played through a few battlegroup WWII games down at the old club, and found them to work very well indeed! I'm sure the cold war version will provide many hours of fun and enjoyment! We look forward to reading the battle reports.... Your cold war book is a great start.

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    1. We shall see where it goes, still a good way down the road yet.

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