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Author Topic: "Gone To See The Elephant" Subscription Now Open by TVAG  (Read 1096 times)

Offline The Virtual Armchair Gen.

  • Student
  • Posts: 10
"Gone To See The Elephant" Subscription Now Open by TVAG
« on: September 26, 2017, 07:33:31 PM »


After nine years of research, writing, and re-writing, “Gone To See The Elephant: Miniatures War Game Rules for The Mexican-American War, 1846-1848” is with the printers awaiting the green light.

Easily the most widely—and impatiently!—awaited title in TVAG’s history, GTSTE has been interrupted by other projects and more recently health issues, but throughout that time collecting historical sources and digesting them never really stopped.  As a result, these are easily the most solidly grounded war game rules on the subject, with the history woven into them, rather than clapped on like chrome on a Model-T.

Utilizing the basic game model first published in “John Company” almost twenty years ago, GTSTE is a card driven system requiring absolutely no written record keeping, and as few as  three standard six-sided dice.  Introducing an innovative ground scale system for basing, the game may be played with ANY size figures, from 5/6mm to 40mm, using the same 1” x .75” and 2” x 1.5” square bases without effecting movement or weapons ranges.  Artillery is based on premeasured triangular templates (provided with the rules) showing maximum firing angles eliminating the need for measuring in play.

The book has 162 pages displaying game tables, illustrations, and maps in full color.  The rules portion of the text are printed in 14-point Century Schoolbook to make it easy to find specific items.  Special rules applying exclusively to US or Mexican units appear in green and blue, respectively, and important notes are in red.  When one rule references another, page numbers are provided for quicker searching.  Other portions of the book are in 12-point for more casual reading.

Beyond the basic rules, there are 18 pages of Optional Rules, 21 pages of Designers Notes and Appendices listing the entire US and Mexican Army Orders of Battle for the war, a complete list by states of all Volunteer units raised for the war, and a list of uniform details for many of these.  Besides the Bibliography, there is a list of other resources for research on the Internet, including recordings of authentic period music for both armies.  Three historical scenarios for Palo Alto, Resaca de Palma, and Buena Vista are presented across 26 more pages, including highly detailed maps and the most complete OB’s available.  Indeed,  Buena Vista/La Angosturas has new scholarship concerning the Mexican Artillery.   

“Gone To See The Elephant” will retail for $35.00, plus $9.00 for Priority Mail postage.

Unlike some previous TVAG publications, Game Decks and important reference sheets, plus  Order and Resolve (and optional Sapper, Stamina, and other counters) being printed on  B&W paper within the book, these are now offered for FREE via E-mail for self printing/cutting by the buyer, which has allowed the printing prices to be kept down. 

A professionally printed full color Graphic Supplement, with ALL game components, consisting of four decks totaling 102 cards, seven card stock reference sheets, and nine more of game counters ready to cut, is available for separate purchase for $20.00, plus postage.  In this format, the Event Decks contain 20 unique cards not found in the free supplement.

With major contributions by Anton Adams, Ron Vaughn, and TVAG’s own Chris Ferree and Eric Cox—among others—GTSTE is more than the definitive game system for the subject, but an historical resource itself.

GTSTE may now be purchased via one of two pre-publication plans, one of which allows
savings over the retail price of the book and/or the Graphic Supplement, OR another offer with  a special bonus.

Offer #1—Buy the book now at the pre-publication price of $28.00 and $9.00 postage, and have it sent to you directly from the printers upon publication, currently set for approximately October 15, 2017.  Optionally, those wishing to buy the full Graphic Supplement at the same time may do so for $20.00, postpaid.  Altogether a savings of $13.00 over the retail price and postage of each if bought separately later.

Offer #2—Buy GTSTE and its Graphic Supplement now for $65.00, postpaid, and be sent a Limited Edition Set of three 15mm original figures depicting Generals Zachary Taylor, Winfield Scott, and Santa Anna on horseback by sculptor Chris Ferree.  This set is available exclusively to the subscribers of this particular deal, and will be delivered by Priority Mail along with the Graphic Supplement ASAP after it and the book have been printed.



All subscriber’s names will appear in order of their purchase on the Roll of Honor printed in the book, with those who chose Offer #2 heading the list.

Subscribers may request their choice of offer by E-mailing TVAG@att.net and providing their full name, phone number, and preferred mailing address.  They will then be invoiced via PayPal for the price of the cited offer.  Those preferring to do so may pay directly via Money Order or Personal Check made payable to “Patrick R. Wilson” (and none other, please), and mailed to:

The Virtual Armchair General
10208 Haverhill Place
Oklahoma City, OK
73120-3922
(405) 752-2420

Both offers will close at midnight, CST, October 10, 2017 and shipping should begin within a week after that date.  Please note that postage prices are domestic US only.  International Priority or First Class Mail rates to the UK, etc, must--alas!--be more.

The long wait is over!  “On to Mexico City!”  “Viva Mexico!”

TVAG

Offline von Lucky

  • Galactic Brain
  • Posts: 8796
  • Melbourne, Australia
    • Donner und Blitzen Wargaming
Re: "Gone To See The Elephant" Subscription Now Open by TVAG
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2017, 11:24:39 AM »
Very interested. I have been eyeing the AB range as sold by Eureka Miniatures and have longed for a set of rules to go with them.
- Karsten

"Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality."
- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Blog: Donner und Blitzen

Offline sjwalker51

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 368
Re: "Gone To See The Elephant" Subscription Now Open by TVAG
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2017, 06:45:19 PM »
I think I've found my 2018 project.

The Eureka range is lovely and pretty comprehensive, but I'm toying with the idea of a more 'old school' approach and using 15mm  Minifigs. Trouble is, there's no photos on their website - can you point me in the direction of some?

At one point Minifigs USA (Tom Dye?) had some extra packs in their range IIRC - anyone know if they're still available anywhere?

 

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