Review: Slingshot

Slingshot is a bi-monthly publication, distributed to members of the Society of Ancients as part of their membership subscription. Most of the content is contributed by Society members on a wide range of items related to Ancient and Medieval military history and wargaming.There are articles, reviews, letters, game design ideas, as well as the usual discussion on various wargames rules. Competition results and the occasional battle report are also published. Their quality publication is well edited to showcase the contributions from their membership and features original pen and ink artwork.

About

The Society of Ancients is an international amateur society for the promotion of the study of ancient and medieval military history and wargaming the period 3000 BC to 1500 AD, and run by volunteers for the benefit of our growing membership world-wide. The Society publishes a bi-monthly journal, Slingshot, and sponsors various events, including wargames tournaments.

The Society was formed in 1965 by Tony Bath with 20 or so founder members. Their membership is over 1500 worldwide. The Society is not run for profit but is supported by and exists for the benefit of its members and to promote Ancient military history and wargaming. Membership is open to all, renewable annually.

All finances are ploughed back to improve services and add value. They have also been active in establishing links with the commercial side of our hobby and now members have access to discounts from a range of figure traders, specialist books and games.

The Society publishes a 40 to 60 page A4 journal, Slingshot, 6 times a year. Most of the content is contributed by Society members on a wide range of items related to Ancient and Medieval military history and wargaming. There are articles, reviews, letters, game design ideas, as well as the usual discussion on various wargames rules. Competition results and the occasional battle report are also published. Our quality publication is well edited to showcase the written contributions from our membership and features original pen and ink artwork.

Issues Reviewed

Slingshot 260 and 261.

The Good

Slingshot is an extremely professional publication with exceptionally nice articles written by some of the best in the hobby. Instead of the general ranting one tends to see online in forums or newsgroups, there is a very fair and balanced approach to the subject matter.

I have to say that although I’ve been a gamer forever and knew of the SOA and all of the hard work they do, I’m not presently a member and was not very knowledgeable about their Slingshot publication until receiving these two issues.

Any experienced ancients gamer worth their salt would find this publication an invaluable source of information.

The Bad

It’s not a “bad” thing per say, but I would not recommend this magazine to beginners in the ancients hobby due to the extreme detail.

The Ugly

None.

Product Summary
Name: Slingshot
Publisher: Society of Ancients
Category: Magazine
Cost: £20.00 / 6 back issues (1 year) / Free to SOA members as part of membership
SKU: N/A
ISSN: 1335-2880

Rating