To get inspiration and new ideas for your games with our forest tree models and toy soldiers, combined with other small scale models and toys from your collection, you may wish to check out some of these books of popular adventure fiction.
If you aren’t a prolific reader, some of the adventure titles in Puffin Classics for children are still highly readable for adults. We've also provided some relevant non-fiction, including some illustrated histories from Osprey Publishing.
Robin Hood themed adventures:
There is no doubt most people have seen any one of a number of Robin Hood movies. Now read the books!
The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green, published by Puffin Classics.
Robin Hood by Henry Gilbert, published by Wordsworth Classics. This is written in an older style of English.
Ivanhoe by Walter Scott, published by Penguin Classics.
The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson, published by Wordsworth Classics.
General medieval themes:
King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green, published by Puffin Classics. Totally fantasy based.
The White Company by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, published by Wordsworth Classics. Set at the time of the100 Years War.
Sir Nigel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, published by Wordsworth Classics. Sequel to The White Company. Set at the time of the100 Years War. A witty book with great story set-ups.
Pirate themed adventures:
The Buccaneers of America by Alexander O. Exquemelin, published by Dover Publishing. The primary historical source for all of the great buccaneering/pirate stories of the 1600s. The highlight of this book is a first hand account of Henry Morgan’s epic attack on the original city of Panama, a classic wilderness adventure. This book provides a wealth of ideas for games scenarios with a difference.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, published by Wordsworth Classics features wonderful period pen and ink illustrations.
American Colonial adventures:
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, published by Arcturus Publishing. The classic story of the French Indian War and the capture of the English Fort William Henry by the French. The movie of the same name, with Daniel Day Lewis, provides an excellent visual reference point to this story.
Also in relation to American Colonial Adventures, you might try the following Osprey illustrated histories:
American Colonial Ranger, The Northern Colonies 1724-64 by Gary Zaboly, Osprey Warrior 85.
Montcalm's Army, text by Martin Windrow, Colour plates by Michael Roffe, Osprey Men at Arms.
Tomahawk and Musket, French and Indian Raids in The Ohio Valley 1758 by Rene Chartrand, Osprey Raid 27.
The Swamp Fox, Francis Marion's Campaign in the Carolinas 1780 by David R. Higgins, Osprey Raid 42.
For Armies in Plastic figures relating to the American colonial adventures theme, see our Products menu - Box Sets: French & Indian War 1754-1763.
In the mould of Indiana Jones:
King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard, published by Wordsworth Classics and Puffin Classics.
Allan Quartermain by H. Rider Haggard, published by Puffin Classics.
She by H. Rider Haggard, published by Wordsworth Classics. An early masterpiece of modern (Lost Worlds) fantasy whose title character is an ancient white sorceress and queen, Ayesha, ‘She-who-must-be-obeyed’.
For games purposes, H. Rider Haggard’s stories provide great inspiration for pulp fiction style adventure games as well as fantasy styles of games according to the personal interests and tastes of gamers.
The Lost World and Other Stories by Conan Doyle, published by Wordsworth Classics.
The Lost World has been a primary source for much magazine ‘pulp fiction that has provided inspiration for Michael Creighton’s Jurassic Park stories, translated into movies; TV series such as Primeval; and film classics such as the 1933 black and white version of King Kong, created by British writer, Edgar Wallace.
Other real-life adventures:
The Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt, published by Dover Publications Inc., New York (first published 1899 by C. Scribner's, New York).
This story is a classic 'ripping yarn' where the author documents the outdoor life of an army on campaign in the Caribbean. Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt provides fascinating insights into a diverse group of men ranging from Spanish Americans, Indians, and the black cavalrymen or Buffalo Soldiers who gallantly served alongside the Rough Riders during the attack on the heavily defended San Juan Hill. He also speaks well of his Spanish adversaries who put up some fierce resistance against the invaders, most famously at San Juan Hill.
Theodore Roosevelt was the Assistant Secretary for the United States Navy when the warship, USS Maine, mysteriously exploded and sank in Havana Harbour in 1898. With public opinion inflamed by domestic press coverage, Roosevelt actively pushed for the Independence of Cuba from Spanish rule. Within ten weeks, the Spanish lost their colony of 407 years. When the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898, Roosevelt resigned from his post and helped to form several regiments of Rough Riders.
Teddy Roosevelt was a man with a love for the great outdoors and a genuine curiosity and fascination for the people with whom he came into contact.
For Armies in Plastic figures relating to this theme, see our Products menu - Box Sets: World Armies - Spanish & Americans 1898-1902.