Historical Books

xyanthon · Post by **xyanthon** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 6:56 pm

I like to reference historical books for my game worlds to mine them for information about food, weapons, armor, customs, political systems, and a whole gamut of material. Do any of you guys have favorite historical books that you like to use or flip through for inspiration?

I particularly like the Osprey line of books to get pictoral reference for weapons, outfits and the like. "Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World" is also interesting to me along with the works of Frances and Joseph Gies. Does anyone have any good books that they can recommend (particularly with pictures) of their favorite reference works? I'm interested in anything from Medieval tim on back. Neolithic, Bronze and Iron ages are also of particular interst to me.

Stormcrow · Post by **Stormcrow** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 9:21 pm

I only bother with history books when running games that call for historical verisimilitude. I've run GURPS "Time Corps" and "In the Cube" games, and I even set up for an "Eternity's Rangers" game, though that didn't come off. Of course, my time travel game of choice now is Continuum: Roleplaying in the Yet. I've read history books for all of them.

PapersAndPaychecks · Post by **PapersAndPaychecks** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:44 am

I don't reference books in play any more; being a re-enactor from the age of 19 teaches you what the stuff looks like and how it was made.

The Osprey series is remarkable, I agree. Angus McBride really does go to the source and get the pictures right. There are remarkably few of his interpretations with which I'd disagree.