After 950+ purchases, I believe this is the first time I've written a review for any product. It is my hope that this fact alone will inspire you to pick up a copy of this sublime title. While the author readily admits that TMFRPG was originally derived from the original version of D&D, and later updated to Swords & Wizardry, the content is fresh. Mr. Conley does an exquiste job of taking the rules we know and tweaking them just enough that the reader invariably will nod along and say "That's cool". At least I did.

While it is not my style to go into great detail about why I love this book so much, I will say the hidden gem within the pages has got to be the section entitled "Scraps from the Attic". As Rob explains at the beginning of the section:

"This chapter is a basic overview of how I designed these mechanics to remain consistent with Swords & Wizardy and the classic editions, along with the tools I used to come up with new rulings".

This short (8 pages) section is simply choke-full of 'behind the scenes' explanations describing the 'whys' of Rob's rule modifications. It is evident that Rob not only has the pragmatic experience needed to successfully integrate house-rules into a well-defined rule system, but also an artist's deft touch. At no point do his house-rules seem excessive or overbearing (with respect to the S&W ruleset).

As I read through the book, cover to cover, I felt compelled to grab a highlighter and mark up the passages of text that I wanted to share with my players. By the time I started the section "Character Backgrounds" on page 20, a campaign seed began to grow in my head. I started taking notes and by the end I had three full pages of 'my takes' on the lore of the associated setting "Majestic Wilderlands". Can there be any better endorsement for a book, that it kicks open the door to your imagination and inspires you to worldbuild during your initial reading?