Total War gives a number of additional rules to Combat HQ which open some very worthwhile options for the gamer. These are listed in the summary of the product so I won't repeat them, but they add depth to your gaming experience with extra complexity and challenge. The beauty is that they are optional, the game still works perfectly without them, but as you get more experienced with the game, these give you the option of giving your games the added realism and complexity that some will want. The true value of the book, and what makes it essential is the Battlegroup Builder section. Apart from the purpose built Battlegroups and numerous ready made scenarios, this volume sets out how to build your army, add various support levels and then calculate your Morale, Command Dice, Staff Orders and other statistics that enable you to build your own Battlegroups. The ones in the book are excellent all are based on the Normandy Campaign of 1944, and provide all the statistics for the three main participants. However armed with the Battlegroup Builder you can now design your own force, which is explained clearly and is a very straightforward process. The statistics for all the major weapons and units for Normandy are provided, so with a little comparative research it will not be difficult to design statistics for earlier or later units, or even different nationalities. I hope and expect further volumes on other armies and weapons will be forthcoming but for now this volume delivers the information to really get going with Combat HQ. You do need the Combat HQ ruleset, Total War is not a stand-alone game. But if you are a player of Combat HQ, then this book is an absolute requirement. If not, then you are missing out on a great set of WW2 rules, so go get them.