This book provides the most comprehensive and coherent discussion of wargaming written to date.

It brings together the professional military wargames and the recreational side of wargaming into one account. Based on a lifelong experience as a gaming hobbyist and a professional wargamer in the U.S. defence community. This dual perspective has enabled him to offer a thorough evaluation of the two arenas, to discuss their similarities and differences, and to assess their influence on each other. Perla looks first at the history of wargaming in both its hobby and professional guises, and especially at its use by the Naval War College.

He then draws on historical experience to define the fundamental principles of what wargaming is, and what it is not, and describes the subjects that wargaming is most useful for exploring. He also suggests how best to take advantage of its capabilities and downplay its limitations.

Finally, he examines modern trends in wargaming in the light of these historical perspectives and theoretical principles and projects them into the future.