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| Donald Featherstone interview on YouTube |
I guess most wargamers of a certain age will have at least one Featherstone book in their collection and I am no exception. My favourites include the Tank Battles in Miniature series and his book on Solo Wargaming, although there are probably loads more that I have never read (something I must rectify asap!).
One of the things that comes across clearly in his Tank Battles series is his insight and knowledge of real life tank warfare (gained in the field serving with the Royal Armoured Corps in WWII) and how it can be represented on the games table. My personal favourite A wargamers guide to the Western desert Campaign 1940-42 (reviewed here) is not only a great book of wargaming rules and ideas but also a deeply interesting and engaging history book.
A sad loss indeed. It was finding his books in the local library when I was 10 or 11 that sparked my interest in the hobby.
ReplyDeleteRIP Don
I was already well into my hobby 'career' when I first discovered his books but they inspired me to move from sci-fi/fantasy wargaming to historical. In recent years I have found myself re-reading many of his books simply because they are such a good read. He had a great turn of phrase and an insight that came through in his work and made his books more than just your common-or-garden wargaming manual.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't currently possess any of his books, being a certain age I have of course played a few sets. A massive loss to the hobby, a man who must have inspired thousands of us.
ReplyDeleteA sad day - but a wonderful legacy and heritage for us all. Rest in Peace Don.
ReplyDeleteThis saddens me. I own many of his books, and they brought so many hours of pleasure and enjoyment into my life. How many of us, when we are gone, will be able to say we did that for people. Donald Featherstone did, and he will be missed.
ReplyDeleteI've ordered a couple of Featherstone books from Amazon this afternoon. Battles with Model Soldiers and War Games. I read them both years ago but for some reason I never bought them (I think they were lent to me) so its about time I filled that gap in my book collection.
ReplyDeleteHe was perhaps the most influential gamer of our era, until Gygax. I loved his 'Advanced Wargaming' and took it from the library at least once every other month. He has left a terrific legacy.
ReplyDeleteBack in '67 or so I found his 'Wargames' in the local library and it then stayed out on permanent loan for weeks and weeks while three schoolboys feverishly copied almost every word into 'borrowed exercise books. Even though I never knew or met him, I'm going to miss him. God bless him.
ReplyDeleteRIP Donald ((((((((((
ReplyDelete