Mahdist Wars Source Book Subscription Now Open

The Virtual Armchair General

writes:

Dear Polynikes,

Sorry I didn't respond earlier, but my monitor died at the most inconvenient moment (amazing how a box of plastic and odd metal parts can be so clever) and I lost the whole day while running about in panic until I got my new one.

So, to answer your question--"No."

Sorry, it wasn't due to lack of interest or any snub to that fine humanitarian organization itself, but a more practical reason. In all the 30 some years of articles written for S&S, no one seems to have done anything on the Force Publique's run ins with the Ansar. And since the book is a collaboration with S&S Magazine, I didn't want to step outside that arrangement.

There are articles on the Italian's campaigns against the Mahdist, and a great article on the siege of Kassala (with good maps and illos), and two complementary articles on the Abyssinian Army, though--alas--no battle studies of their actions with the Ansar.

Still think you and everyone else will be pleased, and there may yet be more color photos to add if they come in time.

Thanks again, and to everyone else, "Bless You!" You've already made this the most successul Subscription and promotion from TVAG ever!

TVAG

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The Virtual Armchair General of The Virtual Armchair General writes:

With the full cooperation of previous editors of Savage and Soldier magazine - Richard Brooks, Milton Soong, and Editor Emeritus Douglas Johnson - the classic wargaming publication The Sudan, 1884-98 published some 25 years ago now returns. The (Virtual) Armchair General has the honor of offering this work in vastly improved and expanded form by pre-publication subscription.

That 40-page booklet has grown into a two-volume set - The Mahdist Wars Source Book - totaling some 270 pages of original and new articles, and at least 17 pages of full-color uniform plates and photographs, as well as color photos of Mahdist Forts and the field at Omdurman taken by author Douglas Johnson. Even as this subscription opens, there is the prospect of more color material arriving at the last moment from Blair Athol and Khartoum.

Besides the color plates and photographs of actual Ansar Jibbehs, the seminal article by Douglas on Mahdist Flags is now reproduced with additional information and specially commissioned full-color renderings by Mr. Eric Cox.

New examples include the Mahdi's personal flag, as well as that of the Khalifa Abdullahi. These, and many more, will be released upon publication as part of The Mahdist Wars Flags Collection in April 2007.

As an added bonus, by special arrangement, the complete Orders of Battle for the Sudan - from Hicks Pasha at Shaykan, to the Khalifa's last stand at Diwaykarat - are included, spread over both volumes.

The subscription offer is as follows:

Pre-Publication Price: Volume One $28.00 USD, Volume Two $23.00 USD - which represents a $14.00 USD savings over the projected retail price upon publication of $35.00 USD and $30.00 USD, respectively. Due to the weight of the each volume, I must charge $7.00 USD for one, and $10.00 USD for both (Domestic), and double the appropriate price for Overseas orders.
The subscribers' names will appear on the Roll of Honor printed in all copies of the initial printing.
Each subscriber's copy will be personally numbered, inscribed, and autographed by the Editor.
Copies may be reserved only by emailing TVAG@worldnet.att.net to reserve copies of either or both volumes. Please be sure to provide your mailing address, or at least country to where your copy will be sent. Please, do not send payment when reserving your copy!
When called for, payment may be by personal check (drawn on a U.S. Bank), money order, or PayPal. (Please note that due to escalating costs, PayPal users are requested to add an additional $1.50 USD to each order to defray that service's charges against the seller.)

The subscription period closes in two weeks, at Midnight (CDT), March 30, 2007, or as soon as the minimum number of 40 sets have been reserved, whichever comes first. Previous experience suggests the subscription will be full within the first few days, but notice will be posted shortly before it closes.

Only when the minimum number of copies has been subscribed will buyers be notified and funds actually requested. A few extra copies may be sold above the minimum number to accommodate those who might otherwise just miss their chance.

Upon the subscription's close, Quality POD will once more be given the nod to print the books, and copies mailed directly to the subscribers by TVAG immediately upon their return from the printers. Those who have seen the printing work of Mr. Don Perrin already know these are top quality efforts.

From close of the subscription to receipt of copies should be two to three weeks, more or less, depending on the printer's job schedule.

The Mahdist Wars Source Book will be available in PDF form ready for self-printing, both volumes on one CD, for $30.00 USD plus $5.00 USD Domestic ($10.00 USD Foreign) postage. Each CD is inscribed to the buyer, and comes with full-color labels on disc and in the jewel box.

For more details, including a list of all articles (so far!) in each volume, please visit the TVAG Home Page and scroll down to the next Publishing Project.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to this work, and the many who have written before expressing their enthusiasm and support!