The Military Writers Society of America

Congrats to BOTH of you guys. I am sure this group will be made even better by your presence. Two quick things: First, Eric, I noticed that you forgot to congratulate the Yankees on clinching the East. Don’t worry; I’ve already covered it over on my blog. 🙂 Second, although I haven’t started the “actual” read on the book yet (as I am drafting Croker’s review and don’t want to get confused in my medicated state) I did flip through it last night (in preparation of reading this weekend) and I noticed something that I have never seen in a book before – and will surely praise in my review… the tour information that you have provided at the end (with photos and descriptions) is absolutely WONDERFUL. What a gem it is to first read about Stuart’s ride and then have the info to retrace his steps!!! It is an awesome addition to the story – and one that other CW author’s should take a lesson from.

Mike,

Thanks for the comment about the tour – we were very glad that Ted Savas allowed (and encouraged) us to include it in the book. A few years back, Eric and I hired Gettysburg LBG Gary Kross to take us on the initial tour from Westminster, to Union Mills, to Hanover, to Carlisle, then to Gettysburg tracing Stuart’s ride. We took copious notes! After that, Eric and I added in an enormous amount of material from everything we found along the way, and then earlier this year I ran the entire tour again over two days, making sure that all of the mileages, stops, and sights were correct and fully explained (took the pics then as well). By the time we had it done, Eric and I knew we had once of the most comprehensive tours of its kind, and folks since have told us that the tour alone is worth the price of the book 🙂

It’s very easy, we think, for folks to follow, and we encourage it. In fact, we really hope that many folks take the time to do it. You’ll get a much higher appreciation for the content of the book and for the tribulations of Stuart’s ride.

I agree that I’d like to see more historical books include tours. Of the ones like ours that have come out in past years, I’d easily pay a few bucks more for a book if it included a tour – most times you have to find a tour guide or another book to go along with the one of the historical narrative, and you’re plunking that money down anyway. We think having it all under one cover makes it especially easy for everyone.

Thanks again, Mike, and we are anxiously awaiting the results of your review.

J.D.

Another Savas published book with a great tour guide is the Hinze and Farnham book about the Battle of Carthage.

LOL, Mike – you’ll see more when you get into the text, and especially our Conclusion. That was one of the things we were very glad that Mark Grimsley picked up on when he reviewed the book. We spend a good deal of necessary time talking about the horses, with many specifics in the Conclusion. It was a very important part of the story that we had to address.

J.D.

FOR DREW: Thanks for the kind words on the tour. You would not believe how other publishers laughed when I told them I was going to do that. We did it, with an interview, in several books. Comments from end users like yourself convince me I was right. Thanks for your continued support.

Cheers,

tps