"Gettysburg in Miniature by Mingus and Mingus" Topic

Scott advertised this book a couple of weeks back on TMP. It is a short book on Gettysburg illustrated with wargaming figures and other larger miniatures. As The Wargame by Peter Young was one of the books that got me into wargaming in the first place, I immediately ordered this book on Amazon.

The book arrived a few days ago. The text is clear, and the account of the battle is good. There are some good maps showing general troop dispositions. (Too many historical books lack maps!). The illustrations are wonderful, except I have to say I was disappointed that they are all in black and white. If the illustrations were in color, this would be eye candy of Biblical proportions.

The book is a good introduction to the battle. It probably won't satisfy the old grognards who profess to know everything about the battle, but I can see it as a great book for the casual historian or younger gamer in your life. It fits the place for me that the Bruce Catton Gettysburg book did when I was younger as a good primer on the battle.

I think the book is a good value and worth the price. I would have been willing to pay more if the book was in color.

Buck Surdu

I saw reference to this book and just assumed that it would be all in colour. I struggle to see the point of the book if the illustrations aren't in colour.

Glad I read this. I too assumed that it would be in color.

Well as Buck indicates- it about the history, yes?
Annnnd it is the ACW, yes? All documentation of the time was B&W essentially along with the fact there was not much color for this war.
I would not let the color stop my need to fulfill information/ understanding of the history or the interest as to how one pro-traded it and why!

I would be interested in the Mingus's comments as to this, as well!

Color should not be limiting factor….

MG

MG, it (color vs B&W) may not be to you. It is to others though. It's the natural valuation process we all go through when we contemplate acquisition of things. And that process is unique for each of us.

Shame on you Mingus for using artist view and choice of using or not using color…

Shame on you Mingus for putting us in the same shoes as the generals of the time , who too had to use B&W maps for the battle plans back …
Shame on you Mingus for not occurring potential more personal financial loss by not making all the pictures in color that would illustrate your choice of color of blue paint for the union, gray shades for the confederates and whether scenic neon green or forest green railroad model tress was used, …

for your labor of love…
for a very very very limited Historical period's audience available!

Do I understand the replies correct here!

Thanks for the comments.

1) This book is aimed at young people (teenagers) to try to get them interested in history.
2) Yes, I changed all the photos to grayscale to match the period photos.
3) Of course, the primary reason was to keep the cost under $25 USD (which is what color would have cost).

So very often, I have parents stop by my book table at Civil War events and book signings and ask if I have something that would hold the interest of junior high kids (like my 13-year-old grandson and co-author). Until now, I have had to regretfully tell them no, because my other 21 books are geared for adult Civil War buffs.

Now, I finally have something to satisfy this group of potential book customers! In a few years, when they reach college age, perhaps they will buy my other books.

Of course, I could always recolor the gaming and model photos and issue a second edition as an alternative for folks who want to pay more. I just may do that after my upcoming more traditional book (Targeted Tracks: The Cumberland Valley Railroad in the Civil War) comes out in late May (Savas Beatie, $32.95 USD, hardback, dust jacket, black and white).

I appreciate the support and interest, as well as constructive and interesting feedback. This was an experiment with Tristan to write something his peers might like. It is a quite substantial departure from my usual non-fiction books.

Here the back story…

link