The authors claim that their book is designed both for the programmer with an interest in war games, and for the experienced wargamer seeking to use the BBC Micro for this purpose. In my view, the programmer is the clear winner in this particular skirmish. The wargamer will need considerable determination to achieve the same target. It is also a shame that the wargame programs listed in the book are not available on cassette or disc.

Following initial briefing on the use of tables and the storage of data we are introduced to our first wargame, based perhaps inevitably on a World War II scenario. Much ammunition in the form of numerical data is needed to built the model on which the game program acts. It might at least have been worthwhile to have included some simple form of error checking here. That apart, all is clearly and comprehensively deescribed. I felt that most readers would have welcomed more discussion on the 'how' and the 'why' of the game, and how the ideas of wargaming are implemented within the program.

A number of utilities for the benefit of the programming wargamer are described before an enhanced version of the first wargame (more data, longer program). Three other wargames are presented for inspection, the Norman invasion of 1066, the siege of Napoleon in Paris in 1814 and BENA 2352, a wargame of the future.

Overall, this book of 230 pages contains a heavy onslaught of information that the mere casual reader may well find overwhelming. For the most resolute, there is much to be gained from this book.