Time Commanders:
Great Battles of the Ancient World
By Peter Harrison
On of the most talked about tv programmes of the last year, at least amongst wargamers was Time Commanders (currently being shown on the History Channel on cable). In this a team of "ordinary folks" ( or bunch of absolute numpties depending on your point of view) take on the role of one of the great generals of ancient times and send their computer animated armies into combat . The most aggravating thing was just how often a bunch of individuals with no idea at all of what they were doing actually won through in the end. Even so, love it or hate it, no-one ignored it!
Building on the success of the series Virgin Books Ltd have issued the book of the programme.
The book covers in brief detail the famous Ancient battles that featured in the TV series, ranging from Qadesh to Chalons, via Cannae and Gaugamela with a total of 16 in all. The approach taken is typical of coffee table type books, and is likely to hold little ttraction for the dedicated Ancient gamer, but for the general reader, or the beginner to the subject, the contents are interesting enough.
The troop types are described, although some of the comments on their strengths and limitations are rather contentious in the light of modern research. Even so they give the main flavour of the armies and characters involved. For me the main problem with the book is the use of the computer generated images familiar from the programme. They just look wrong! Having said that they will doubtless be familiar and therefore welcome to those who spend their time refighting ancient wars on their PC rather than the wargames table.
Priced at £14.99 I am sure that this softback volume will find its way into a number of Christmas Stockings.
Please remember to mention Wargames Forum when contacting traders!
