Wargames
From Gladiators to Gigabytes

Explores the history and development of wargames, and how they relate to real war and society in general.

Martin van Creveld (Author)

9781107684423, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 April 2013

341 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.54 kg

'Van Creveld surveys the history of war games, defined as strategy games, from prehistory to modern times … the sheer range of this work makes it an important contribution to simulation studies … Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.' L. De Rosa, Choice

Where did wargames come from? Who participated in them, and why? How is their development related to changes in real-life warfare? Which aspects of war did they capture, which ones did they leave out, how, and why? What do they tell us about the conduct of war in the times and places where they were played? How useful are they in training and preparation for war? Why are some so much more popular than others, and how do men and women differ in their interest? Starting with the combat of David versus Goliath, passing through the gladiatorial games, tournaments, trials by battle, duels, and board games such as chess, all the way to the latest simulations and computer games, this unique book traces the subject in all its splendid richness. As it does so, it provides new and occasionally surprising insights into human nature.

Introduction
1. On animals and men
2. Games and gladiators
3. Trials by combat, tournaments, and duels
4. Battles, campaigns, wars, and politics
5. From bloody games to bloodless wars
6. Enter the computer
7. The females of the species
8. Conclusions: the mirrors and the mirrored.

Subject Areas: Role-playing, war games & fantasy sports [WDHW], Computer games design [UGG], International relations [JPS], Military history [HBW]