Imperial Munitorum Manual [Hardcover]

Graham McNeill (Author), Nick Kyme (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2007

This is a Warhammer 40,000 background book that resembles an artefact of the 41st millennium in tone. In the style of a military weapons catalogue, it features over sixty sketches of equipment and kit utilised by the Imperial Guard as well as details about the organisation that provides it, the Deparmento Munitorum.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hailing from Scotland, Graham McNeill narrowly escaped a career in surveying to join Games Workshop, where he worked as a games developer for six years. In addition to seven novels of carnage and mayhem, Graham has also written a host of short stories. He lives in Nottingham, UK.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Black Library (November 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844165027
• ISBN-13: 978-1844165025
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #705,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amusing book for 40K fans., November 29, 2007

By 

Valnastar "Man With No Name" (Deep 13, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Imperial Munitorum Manual (Hardcover)

The Imperial Munitorum Manual is much like the Uplifting Primer book that is coming back into print shortly, although this one focuses more on the equipment of the Imperial Guard. Other than that, the style, layout and premise of the book is pretty much the same as that previously issued and entertaining work. If anything, my main criticism of the Munitorum Manual is that it is too much like the Uplifting Primer and therefore does not offer the reader much that is new in that regard. However, it is amusingly over-the-top in its harshness as was the Uplifting Primer and it is entertaining from that perspective. The list of punishable offenses regarding the treatment of equipment is so extensive, some of it seems to contradict well-established 40K background material. For example, putting kill markings on your rifle is listed as an infraction, yet Warhammer 40,000 stories, miniature imagery and artwork have prominently featured kill markings on Guardsmen's equipment for years. Perhaps the author was a bit stretched for material or perhaps it's a bit of intentional contradiction humorously showing the disconnect between the rules and how the Imperial Guard actually operate in the field. In either case, the book is a bit of dark, fluffy fun for 40K fans.

If you enjoyed the Uplifting Primer and want more of the same or if don't own a copy of the previous book and are looking for some Imperial Guard related reading, this book will amuse and entertain Imperial Guard and 40K fans, but don't expect anything terribly ground-breaking or new, because the Uplifting Primer, shortly to be re-printed, already covered that ground.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only for the die-hard W40K fans and possibly W40K authors too, May 13, 2008

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Imperial Munitorum Manual (Hardcover)

Every now and then a W40K novel mentions the manuals. Normally it is during a narration, where Readers see (or "hear") an officer's thoughts as s/he dwells on duties or regulations. But have you ever stopped to wonder exactly what was in those manuals? Better yet, did you ever wish you could actually have one of them? Here is your chance. This is the "revised edition of the first published 945.M41". It begins with a preface by Seward Rosencraz, Chancellor of the Estate Imperium, followed by a Logistical Officer's Chain of Command. The contents of this manual, in my own words, are as follow:

Part One - History and procedures.

Part Two - Regiments, Raising and Structure, Supply Needs, Shipping of Equipment for the Cadian 91st (Sentinels).

Part Three - Requesting of Equipment. (This section even mentions "the wholesome and nutritious" victuals supplied.)

Part Four - Care and Maintenance of Equipment, Unauthorized Modifications, Procedures and Punishments for Laxity in Maintenance.

Part Five - Identification of the items for front line troopers.

Part Six - Identification of the weapons for front line troopers.

Part Seven - Identification of the items issued to support platoons and squads.

Part Eight - Identification of the items issued to senior officers and specialist personnel.

Part Nine - A selection of forms for the many and varied situations likely to arise and how to deal with them.

Of course, no Imperial manual would be complete without some extra sections to inform troopers about famous people (a few paintings are illustrated), badges and insignia (each clearly shown and told why there are given to select heroes), and even the guidelines for calling in a fire mission. More than once the manual stresses that the maps enclosed must not fall into unauthorized hands, so soldiers (uh, readers) must keep this manual safe. And above all remember the motto of the Departmento Munitorum: "Only the awkward question; only the foolish ask twice."

***** I really enjoy how realistic the author, Graham McNeill, made this manual. I would not be surprised at all to learn that most W40K authors keep this gem close by as they create their stories, for quick and easy reference. Littered throughout the manual are the quotes all W40K fans know by heart (and, I admit, use in conversations with family members and friends in the military) such as: "Ammunition isn't free - make your shots count!" Even the texture, color, and shape of the manual are realistic. (So much so that if you are in the military and have this in your locker, at first [and second] glance it looks like it belongs there.) Outstanding! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, perfectly matches the Uplifting Primer, September 5, 2008

By 

Book Shark "Sam" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Imperial Munitorum Manual (Hardcover)

I just got mine today (I was pleasantly surprised, it arrived five days early), and I've already read through it. It's a wonderfully written book, Graham McNeil is probably the best WH40K author out there. The garish, arrogent, over-the-top writing style is a perfect fit for the similarly styled Imperium of Man, and the pictures and codes add to the realism of a real requisition booklet. I'll be adding this to my collection of great WH40K books, and would encourage other avid fans to do the same!