Warhammer Background Books Are the BEST | Black Library Archives

Since its inception in 1997 the Black Library has produced many wonderful fiction and art books, but for me their greatest work is the range of background books that are written as if they have been plucked straight out of the Warhammer Fantasy and 40k universes!

One of my favourites is Blood on the Reik, a travel journal of stories and art about the people of the Old World. With art by John Blanche and David Gallagher, and words by Matt Ralphs this is one special book.

This is my very brief overview of BL history and some warm recollections of the incredible book Blood on the Reik.

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Images used belong to their respective copyright owners
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Jordan Sorcery Heraldry and Theme copyright @jordansorcery

[NolanStJohn]

I had always wanted a copy of "The Loathsome Ratmen and All Their Vile Kin" but could never justify the prices it was going for on ebay. Imagine my surprise when I received it for Christmas last year. Leading up to Christmas, my brother said several times that he was excited for me to open my gift and see my reaction. It was definitely my most prized gift.

[reubenturner]

I loved the Heraldry and Uniforms books, which I don't think were BL but were a great source of painting inspiration.

[tomasholmgren]

Your show is fantastic. I love it
Greatings from sweden.

[leighwoosey]

I think Martha is piloting a barge down the Reik and haveing a big old world adventure while you make this video.

[Yurt_enthusiast]

Gods I love in universe depictions like these! 6th editions army books had a lot, I especially remember the introduction to clan moulder were a Blood Dragon challenged a Master Moulder to a duel and it retorted by unleashing a bunch of Rat ogres on the haughty vampire

[EdBurke]

This video really put how long the Horus Heresy series really was. It started when Warner Fantasy was still around, lasted through it's death and the rise of its replacement and only just now ended as the Old World returned.

It's fucking nuts.

[WeirdGuy]

I recently managed to get Darkness Rising from eBay. It's a complete history of the Storm of Chaos. Only just started reading it but was interested in seeing that it's "written" by Frederich "Old" Weirde of Altdorf who should be familiar to most 6th edition players from White Dwarfs "Olde Weirde's Incunabulum" background articles leading up to the 2004 summer campaign.

[TheCthogua]

I picked up a copy of Blood on Reik this past year. That kind of in world, travelogue style background book is my absolute favorite sort of source book.

[adapax]

These kinds of books were always my favourites. They were like the best parts of all those little lore snippets in the codexes of the time broadened out to fill a whole book 😊

[batjutsu]

So many great book choices. For me, "The Loathsome Ratmen and All Their Vile Kin" was the one that I wanted and enjoyed the most. Squeak-squeak 🐀🔥💎🧙‍♀🐀

[guitarjacksonblue]

Thank you! I deep-dived into warhammer fantasy lore for the last few years and am preparing a wfrp campaign. I never even heard or read from that book before. Its perfect for me. Your knowledge is a treasure trove❤

[neoh]

"Not so much for 40k?"( But let's not forget the greats The 13 Black Crusade, Sabbath Crusade, Battle for the Armageddon, Tactica Imperialis and The Inquisition!

A marvellous video tho. Jordan delivers masterful content as always!

[MrLinindoll]

Great video as always. I own Liber Chaotica, Loathesome Ratmen, and Witch Hunter’s Handbook. I’m sad the Handbook didn’t get a mention, but even sadder you got rid of your copy of Liber Chaotica! 😢

[GunnbriktRailways]

Got the Grudge Lore book for the dwarfs way back in 2008. Reread again recently and is an amazing lore deep dive, wish they re-released it!

[The_Captaink]

I had the nurgle and tzeentch Liber Chaotica books back in the day and recently completed the rest of this collection including the Loathsome Ratmen. They are the best - amazing art, so immersive, fantastic inspiration for both fantasy and 40k.

[davidjones]

Black library had a massive sale years ago All these books were up to half price ! I picked up nearly all of them, fantastic books and worth treble the price 👍

[MiniatureRealms]

I missed most of these, and the few a did have I foolishly sold, one day I hope to find them again at an affordable price.

[ernestgraves]

What a interesting video! I agree, that book is a true artwork!

[davidjones]

Don’t forget, like the small pocket book The Life of Sigmar, The black covered -The Witchhunters Handbook !

[hughwyethhughwyeth]

Liber Chaotica was re-released a few years ago in one hardback tome. Such a nice book! Shame the last Loathsome Ratmen book was just paperback.