SKU: 52623740286

Wargames According to Mark

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Description

Wargames According to MarkI am delighted to write a second foreword to Mark Herman's book, even if I'm playing the proverbial second fiddle to Jim Dunnigan, who mentored Mark at Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI) and played a huge role in sucking me into the Wargaming hobby and, ultimately, the wacky world of professional Wargaming. Although I knew of Mark from those early SPI days, I did not have the pleasure of meeting him until a game convention (Avaloncon, if I remember

I am delighted to write a second foreword to Mark Herman's book, even if I'm playing the proverbial second fiddle to Jim Dunnigan, who mentored Mark at Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI) and played a huge role in sucking me into the Wargaming hobby and, ultimately, the wacky world of professional Wargaming. Although I knew of Mark from those early SPI days, I did not have the pleasure of meeting him until a game convention (Avaloncon, if I remember correctly) back in the late 1980s. I was working on my own book about Wargaming and went to the con primarily to meet Mark and ask him if I could set up a time to interview him for my own research. His very gentlemanly agreement led to a long-term friendship and even a professional collaboration, on our game War in the China Sea, created for the Office of Net Assessment in the Pentagon.

Working on that game with Mark gave me a chance to see firsthand how he started the process of designing a game. It was much like a whirlwind. Butcher paper and marker pens; a sketch map and a buckets-of-dice combat system. Not quite mixing paint for Picasso, but as close as I ever came to such an experience.

This book can give you a taste of that experience. It is a no-holds-barred dive into the mind of a true wargame-design master. Mark does not claim to provide here any sort of "right way" to design an historical wargame; instead, he focuses on describing his own approach, philosophy, and thinking about how he designs historical wargames. And that is really the heart of the matter. Mark is an historian, first, and his games concentrate on presenting the historical narrative-not only the paths actually taken in reality but also (and more importantly) the "envelope" of paths that could have been taken.

In the process, he discusses his views about the core ideas needed to translate that historical envelope into a game system that offers its players agency in the context of their simulated roles. Look at the table of contents. He starts with a brief description of his early background in the Wargaming business. Then he quickly presents a series of chapters ranging from how he uses "smoke and mirrors" (design tricks) to distill history into a playable representation of the key options facing historical commanders and presenting those options for players to decide among them, to the core elements in the toolbox, from the sequence of play to the adjudication of combat results. Throughout, he uses examples from his huge body of wargame designs to illustrate and illuminate his thinking.

If you are a fan of historical wargames-and especially of Mark's games-you will find, as I did, that these mini stories are fascinating glimpses into the workings of one of the most creative and prolific wargame design minds since Dunnigan himself. And one of the most thoughtful and insightful. His ideas will help you understand better not only his own games, but also all historical wargames. And I would be greatly surprised if they did not inspire you to think about how you might find some of his ideas useful in your own wargaming, either as a player or as a designer. As he says at the end of his introduction, "I hope this book contributes to the community knowledge on how designing a game can be accomplished." I think I can safely say that he achieved his goal.

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SKU: 52623740286

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James T.
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Great toy for a GSD
Color: Blue Gray, Size: Extra Large Size 5 (9")
My GSD loves to grab the flaps and shake her head with the ball bouncing of the side of her head. This is her favorite toy. I thought she would puncture it but it has held up great since she likes to grab the flaps rather than biting the ball.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
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Gayle
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
My puppy LOVEs this ball
Color: Glow in the dark I, Size: Medium
I saw someone recommend this ball in a facebook group. I ordered the first one and it is now sitting somewhere under my deck and I can't find it. My dog loved it so much I had to order a second one. I think the fact there are so many tabs it makes it easy for him to grab it and run so very functional. He doesn't always like to share. The glow in the dark ability I would rate that good at all. The rest of the ball is good quality and holds up well against my aggressive chewer. Its easy to throw or kick. It isn't super hard but is holds it shape well. My dog is about 8 months old and is a mini goldendoodle. I think he was about 18lbs in the video. Perfect size for him. I would definitely recommend, I think your dog would love it!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2025
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Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Corgi goes crazy for this ball
Six months now, still five stars. It is still easily our Corgi’s favorite ball & she still enjoys it all kinds of ways. Rather than tiring of it she likes it even more. She really likes the tabs that make it so easy to grab & hold onto. The ball is all roughed up & torn up still but held up well & has not had to be pumped back up at all. As others noted a small manual ball pump, about 10” with i think 3 different attachments, is included with each order. The glow in the dark stuff is apparently a coating of some kind which has been totally rubbed off. I used an art pen with glow liquid to trace the pattern on the ball for a glow refresh, we’ll see how long that lasts. It is hard to find toys she likes that much, i highly recommend! Our Welsh Corgi goes nuts for this slightly smaller size soccer ball. She had a full-sized ball that we left slightly deflated so she could run with it. This one is even better than i ever would’ve guessed it would be! The tabs, including a longer tab useful as a handle for humans, make it easy for her to grab it or run all over playing keep away with it. Not interested in herding this ball when she can run all over the yard with it or carry it everywhere with her. She’s a super strong chewer in spite of being small so it is extra durable by our tough standards & it appears that it will last at least a year im guessing. Quality materials & craftsmanship. It’s held up over a month - roughed up but not excessively. The glow in the dark feature is not as bright as the photos - don’t buy it just for that - but it glows some given enough daytime sun, and a dark night so the glow can show. Only the top side of the ball that’s facing up can absorb the sunlight at a time so it’s unlikely that the entire ball could get the amount of sunlight needed to glow brightly all at once. All and all this is the best, most well used toy purchased for her during her one year with us, well worth the $$ and recommend buying it if your pet enjoys balls, keep away, herding, and/or fetch, anything like that. She also likes to hide it from me, just the right size for that.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2023
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Dee123
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Pawsome product!
Color: Glow in the dark I, Size: Medium
Pawsome for our doggos! We have bought 5 because the puppy chewed the tags off. Our dogs are border / aussie mix and love the challenge of these balls. We named them "Wilson" because they treat them like their best friend.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2026
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Crystal Davis
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 4
Good ball but does not glow.
Color: Glow in the dark I, Size: Medium
My Frenchie loves this ball and it seems to be made well, but it does not glow in the dark.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2025

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