#Wargame Library – Seminal Wargame Texts (updated January 2025)

These are the primary works on wargaming. If you only read these you can’t go wrong.

Dunnigan, James F., Wargames Handbook, Third Edition: How to Play and Design Commercial and Professional Wargames, San Jose: Writers Club Press, 2000. Written by the Godfather of Wargaming, this is your basic “how to” guide to commercial AND professional wargame design. Admittedly a bit dated; read for the core concepts.

Herman, Mark, Wargames According to Mark: An Historian’s View of Wargame Design, Westchester: Studiolo Designs, 2024. Not so much a “how-to” book on wargame design, but more a discussion of Herman’s personal wargame design philosophy providing an incredible amount of insight for aspiring, or seasoned designers and players alike.

Perla, Peter P., The Art of Wargaming, Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1990. Written from the professional wargaming perspective, there is also useful history of wargaming included.

Sabin, Philip, Simulating War: Studying Conflict Through Simulation Games, London: Bloomsbury 2012, 2014. Sabin delivers a more modern, nuanced approach to wargaming simulation games.

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Feature image TACTICS II by Charles S. Roberts, Avalon Hill, 1958 (personal collection)

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