Jack Radey

Jack Radey (born 1947, Chicago, Illinois) is an American military historian and wargame designer. He set up People's War Games. He was a draft resister, and activist in the Vietnam anti-war movement.

Radey became interested in wargames when his school friend, David D. Friedman taught him how to play Tactics II. Radey related how Friedman and himself wrote to Charles S. Roberts claiming that they had found a first turn winning strategy for each of the two sides. Roberts replied that their interpretation of the rules was valid.

Radey also developed an early interest in politics: his mother's family were refugees from the Nazi regime in Germany. Radey also condemned writers such as Paul Carell and wargame publishers such as Simulations Publications, Inc. for bias. He argued that the role of a wargame designer was to "teach something real about history", and said he hoped that the wargaming hobby would "promote peace not war and treat history with the respect it deserves". Radey also said that he supported the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan which had started at the end of 1979.

Games The following games by Radey were published by People's War Games: 1979 Korsun Pocket: Little Stalingrad on the Dnepr – January 25th to February 17th, 1944 1981 Kanev: Parachutes Across the Dnepr 1982 Black Sea Black Death 1983 Kirovograd 1983 Aachen 1985 Duel for Kharkov 1997 Operation Spark: the Relief of Leningrad 1943

Books The Defense of Moscow 1941: The Northern Flank (with Charles Sharp) (2012)