Waking the Bear

The Great Northern War (GNW) has seen a resurgence in recent years within the wargames community, however, there has not been a general (non-rules specific) guide to the conflict until know. 

This book gives the reader a general understanding of the historical background to the conflict and to the main combatants. In addition to Russia and Sweden, the armies of Denmark, Hanover & Holstein, Ottoman Empire, Saxony, Poland, Prussia are covered, as well as the involvement of the Cossack nations.

The book looks at naval landings, siege warfare as well as the more traditional battles, with this focus on lesser known battles instead of the more traditional battles of Narva and Poltava. Battle reports primarily are focused on small evening games utilising a small number of units and therefore achievable by the majority of wargamers. Options are included to turn a number of these into larger multi-player games.

While the majority of the GNW occurred in and around the Baltic states, the book also covers events on Russia’s southern borders with the Ottoman Empire and there are gaming suggestions for the continuation of the conflict on Russia’s eastern border with China.

Utilising almost 100 unit and individual figure photographs from several renowned collections, the book contains a large amount of detail readily accessible to the reader, while incorporating the latest research into the period from internationally renowned academics, historians, and wargamers. 

“Waking the Bear is an outstanding introduction to the Great Northern War and guide for how to wargame this fascinating period. Shearwood lays out all the main lines of interest with some tantalising asides for the reader to explore more fully. The text is clearly written, and the accompanying photographs and drawings add to our understanding, with the photographs of miniature soldiers providing more than adequate inspiration and motivation to keep going as you embark on this project. It’s also an enjoyable and informative read. In short, this is excellent value for wargamers who may have considered early 18th Century warfare but never had the knowledge they needed to take the leap.” Wargames Illustrated, Issue 411, Mar 2022

"The color photos are sharp, in focus, and oozing with inspiration. From formed units to vignettes offering a historical color, the figures pop off the pages. You just want to go out and grab up a box of flintlock-armed troops and try out the scenario in the back or maybe set up your own scenario based on one of the eight black and white battle maps." Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

"...Overall, as an introductory guide this is an excellent addition to the series. I think readers with little of no knowledge of the period and those who are fully immersed in it will all find something positive to take away from this informative and colourful book." carryingsonupthedale.com