LLv34_Flanker Posted September 25, 2019 Posted September 25, 2019 S! Book is on it´s way. Gonna go for the Vol. 5 as well. And after that the revised volumes 1-3. Good times!
56RAF_Pod Posted September 26, 2019 Posted September 26, 2019 It has arrived! I don’t have much time to read at the moment, but winter is coming so that should give me plenty of time ?
TG-55Panthercules Posted September 26, 2019 Posted September 26, 2019 NICE! I got the e-mail announcing that they were back from the printers and would be shipping soon, but I haven't gotten mine yet. Probably won't start it right away (still trying to finish up volumes 1-3) but it will be nice to have it in hand anyway.
sevenless Posted September 26, 2019 Posted September 26, 2019 Looks promissing. Any reviews available yet?
56RAF_Pod Posted September 26, 2019 Posted September 26, 2019 1 hour ago, sevenless said: Looks promissing. Any reviews available yet? I don’t think there are any yet. The email that the book was ready came 2-3 days ago. 1
adonys Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 What about ebook versions for all 4 of them? 1
csThor Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 Got mine yesterday. Since weather forecast says rain all the way for this weekend I guess I'll sit down for some reading this Sunday. ☕
von_Tom Posted September 27, 2019 Author Posted September 27, 2019 2 hours ago, adonys said: What about ebook versions for all 4 of them? Tough one this. He's one man with a very limited budget, so the production costs of a e-book may be too high when set against the likely number of sales. Not only that but you'd want a colour display for the aircraft profiles, though the photos are all black and white. Speaking personally, for the vast majority of my reading I use a Kindle e-reader (which cannot display photos). For something like this I much prefer a book in my hand. von Tom
ZachariasX Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 (edited) Jut got my copy today!! I have to say... This is a remarkably well made book. Beautiful! And the perfect companion for BoK. If there was a kickstarter for a new editions of Vol 1, 2, 3, I'd back that immediately. Outstanding work! Edited September 27, 2019 by ZachariasX 1
adonys Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 1 hour ago, von_Tom said: Tough one this. He's one man with a very limited budget, so the production costs of a e-book may be too high when set against the likely number of sales. Not only that but you'd want a colour display for the aircraft profiles, though the photos are all black and white. Speaking personally, for the vast majority of my reading I use a Kindle e-reader (which cannot display photos). For something like this I much prefer a book in my hand. von Tom Actually, not at all. The book master used for printing can be extremely easy converted into a pdf ebook. I won't buy the actual books, can't afford the storage spare for the hundreds of books I want to read, but only ebook versions once and when they will be available.
JtD Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 (edited) Totally agree with what you wrote, Zach. I only managed to browse through my copy, and immediately found pictures, stories, facts, numbers I didn't know before. Very interesting, and lots of new stuff for me. I got hooked immediately. And, as you say, it covers time periods relevant to our game chapters, both BoS and BoK. It's awesome. I'll definitely back his future projects. Thank you Christer! Edited September 27, 2019 by JtD 2
ChrisBergstrom Posted September 27, 2019 Posted September 27, 2019 Thank you very much for your kind words! This book is a labor of love indeed, and it was written with you guys at IL-2 in mind. I think that you will find several "scenes"/descriptions in the book that reveal an adaptation to users of the IL-2 game. For a personally signed copy of the hardcover edition of Volume 4 with aircraft color profiles etc: Please transfer US $ 60 to my Paypal account vaktelforlag@gmail.com and send your address to me at vaktelforlag@gmail.com Plus postage: 25 USD outside of Sweden (In Sweden 105 SEK) Anyone who would like to support Volume 5 through crowdfunding (USD$100 or more), please e-mail me at the same address: vaktelforlag@gmail.com All crowdfunders will receive a personally signed and specially numbered hardcover copy with aircraft color profiles etc. Note: The hardcover edition of Vol. 4 contains color profiles. ISBN 978-91-88441-21-8. (There is a paperback edition which is entirely b&w, except for the cover. ISBN 978-91-88441-50-8. That can be bought in bookstores only in the United States. The reason is that I have no U.S. distributor, so that one is a print on demand edition. But personally signed copies of the hardcover edition with aircraft color profiles etc. can be ordered from me from anywhere in the world.) For book retailers: E-mail vaktelforlag@gmail.com And please help by spreading the word about the book. I am publishing this myself, and I saved no money on quality, so it is a quite expensive product. But I have no budget for marketing, so... If a radio station in the United States could talk about it (perhaps make a phone interview with me) it would be fantastic. Also, any recommendation for magazines that might write reviews would be fantastic. vaktelforlag@gmail.com Reviews on amazon.com and amazon UK will of course be more than welcome! Thank you all, guys! You are terriffic! ZachariasX, what is Kickstarter? Please forgive me, but I am 61 and not so familiar with such things.
von_Tom Posted September 27, 2019 Author Posted September 27, 2019 34 minutes ago, ChrisBergstrom said: ZachariasX, what is Kickstarter? Please forgive me, but I am 61 and not so familiar with such things. Just like you did for volume 4, asking for payments to fund the book, but via https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/categories/publishing . A question - how many would buy an ebook copy, and in what format? PDFs are tricky because it is impossible to prevent them being copied and shared out. von Tom
adonys Posted September 28, 2019 Posted September 28, 2019 (edited) Actually, Kickstarter is very effective. I've participated myself in more than 20 campaigns on it by now (Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Dark Souls The Board Game, U-Boat both game and boardgame, DCS WWII, Elite: Dangerous, Hannibal and Hamilcar, Successors, AI War 2, System Shock, Pillars of Eternity, Torment: Tides of Numenera, Divinity Original Sin 1 and 2, Pathologic and so on). @ChrisBergstrom is there any intention to have them all also published as e-books rather than printed books, please? Edited September 28, 2019 by adonys
ZachariasX Posted September 28, 2019 Posted September 28, 2019 6 hours ago, ChrisBergstrom said: Is Kickstarter more effective? As @adonys said, it is (or: can be) an effective tool to get your projects known to customers. But using these fora should also do well, especially since you can keep all the money. I wrote it at a time where I didn‘t yet look through the appendix and didn‘t see that you already opened the possibility to support your coming works. I will contact you by email then about that. I contributed in the publishing of several books and telling from that experience, your work here is truly impressive. Not only content, but also your choice in print, paper and binding quality. Publishers often enough don’t make this quality anymore. It would be a almost a shame having it as ebook. I also think having the endnotes in a separate volume is a good idea. From the sheer numbers it must have added significant weight not only on the hand, but also on the binding of the book. There‘s a lot of choices that are unusual for common editions, except art books. For manuscripts, I‘ve never seen such. It is really a special book. I took it from the envelope, looked through it (took me 5 minutes to find the type that didn‘t print properly, as there is *always one*... old habits just don‘t die) and next time I checked the clock I saw that I was reading for over an hour and running late. This while reading about something that I‘ve thought to be familiar with. I didn‘t buy the original first three volumes, as by the time they were known to me, they were out of print and only available for idiotic prices. But having them as a new edition, especially in that quality, would be awesome. 1
LLv34_Flanker Posted October 2, 2019 Posted October 2, 2019 S! My copy arrived as well. A really good read packed with information. I have a couple of other books from Christer as well: Ace Pair Graf / Grislawski and Operation Barbarossa. Same solid quality as BC/RS Vol. 4. Volume 5 is a must to have. Spread the word
ZachariasX Posted November 29, 2019 Posted November 29, 2019 Volume 5 is on its way: You can read more about it here: https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-5-great-air-battles-kuban-kursk-april-july-1943/ I quote from Christers mailing: --------------------------------------------------- Hello dear friends, I am now working full time on Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5, and am making great progress. If you are happy with Volume 4, I think you will find Volume 5 even better. There is so much really sensational material there. My plan is to have this volume published in the summer of 2020. I attach a small excerpt from the raw and unedited manuscript, dealing with one of the days during the famous Air Battle over Kuban (which nevertheless so far has not been covered in any history writing).I would like to turn to you, my friends, and ask you for support for this volume, either by crowdfunding (100 USD or above) or by ordering a copy at the ordinary price of 60 USD. In both cases, it is for a hard cover copy with aircraft color profiles.If so, please send me an e-mail to vaktelforlag@gmail.com and transfer the amount to my PayPal account:vaktelforlag@gmail.com If PayPal is inconvenient, please let me know and I can send an ordinary invoice with bank details. Those who support this book through crowdfunding will receive a personally signed and numbered hardcover copy with aircraft color profiles, and with a special dedication that will probably make it attractive for collectors. As mentioned, this book series is, in fact, living from hand to mouth, and each subsequent volume is totally dependant on the success of the previous volume, and its crowdfunding. My goal is to get just 125 crowdfunders to contribute at least $100 each for Volume 5 (plus postage), it can be published within a couple of months. And the crowdfunders will also have their names printed as an acknowledgment in the book. Anyone who can find a new crowdfunder (someone who has not crowdfunded Vol. 4), willing to order a copy of Volume 5 at the crowdfunder price of at least USD$ 100, gets a 10 % discount off my price of USD$ 60 from me on that volume. Please ask any new crowdfunder (or anyone who wishes to order a signed hardcopy Volume 5 at my regular price of USD$ 60) to e-mail me at vaktelforlag@gmail.com. I will e-mail all of you regular updates on the progress of the book, and the crowdfunders will also receive regular excerpts from the manuscript etc. Anyone who has not ordered a personally signed hardcover copy of Volume 4 (with color profiles), is of course welcome to do so at vaktelforlag@gmail.com Please help me to spread the word! All help and support with this will be received with the utmost gratitude.--------------------------------------------------------------- I supported him on previous books, and I will do so on this one. 1
Pajeka Posted November 30, 2019 Posted November 30, 2019 Hi guys, Mail recently received from Christer, thought you would like to be kept up to date.... "Hello dear friends, I am now working full time on Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5, and am making great progress. If you are happy with Volume 4, I think you will find Volume 5 even better. There is so much really sensational material there. My plan is to have this volume published in the summer of 2020. I attach a small excerpt from the raw and unedited manuscript, dealing with one of the days during the famous Air Battle over Kuban (which nevertheless so far has not been covered in any history writing).I would like to turn to you, my friends, and ask you for support for this volume, either by crowdfunding (100 USD or above) or by ordering a copy at the ordinary price of 60 USD. In both cases, it is for a hard cover copy with aircraft color profiles.If so, please send me an e-mail to vaktelforlag@gmail.com and transfer the amount to my PayPal account:vaktelforlag@gmail.com If PayPal is inconvenient, please let me know and I can send an ordinary invoice with bank details. Those who support this book through crowdfunding will receive a personally signed and numbered hardcover copy with aircraft color profiles, and with a special dedication that will probably make it attractive for collectors. As mentioned, this book series is, in fact, living from hand to mouth, and each subsequent volume is totally dependant on the success of the previous volume, and its crowdfunding. My goal is to get just 125 crowdfunders to contribute at least $100 each for Volume 5 (plus postage), it can be published within a couple of months. And the crowdfunders will also have their names printed as an acknowledgment in the book. Anyone who can find a new crowdfunder (someone who has not crowdfunded Vol. 4), willing to order a copy of Volume 5 at the crowdfunder price of at least USD$ 100, gets a 10 % discount off my price of USD$ 60 from me on that volume. Please ask any new crowdfunder (or anyone who wishes to order a signed hardcopy Volume 5 at my regular price of USD$ 60) to e-mail me at vaktelforlag@gmail.com. I will e-mail all of you regular updates on the progress of the book, and the crowdfunders will also receive regular excerpts from the manuscript etc. Anyone who has not ordered a personally signed hardcover copy of Volume 4 (with color profiles), is of course welcome to do so at vaktelforlag@gmail.com Please help me to spread the word! All help and support with this will be received with the utmost gratitude. You can read more about Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5 here:https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-5-great-air-battles-kuban-kursk-april-july-1943/ All the best," 1
Pajeka Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 For your information, further update just received from Christer...... ”Hello,I am turning to all of you who pre-ordered Black Cross/Red Star, Vol. 4. There is something that worries me about this book series.I am now working full time on Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5, and am making great progress. On 12 January, I am going to research the Bundesarchiv for a week for this book. If you are happy with Volume 4, I think you will find Volume 5 even better. There is so much really sensational material there. My plan is to have this volume published in the summer of this year, 2020.As mentioned previously, this book series is, in fact, living from hand to mouth, and each subsequent volume is totally dependant on the success of the previous volume, and its crowdfunding.My goal is to get just 125 crowdfunders to contribute at least USD $100 each for Volume 5 (plus postage). Then it can be published within a couple of months. And the crowdfunders will also have their names printed as an acknowledgment in the book.I also need as many ordinary pre-orders as possible for USD 60 (plus postage) for a signed hardcover copy.However, I am beginning to worry about Black Cross/Red Star, Vol. 5. So far, I have no more than 33 pre-orders, including crowdfunders. What is even more worrying is that sales of Volume 4 have more or less stopped. No more than nine (9) copies were sold world-wide the past month.So Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5 is in a desperate need of crowdfunders and more pre-orders. In order to calculate whether a publication and continued priority work on that book are realistic, I would like to ask every one of you who considers making a pre-order or an offer for crowdfunding to do so now.Please note:YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING NOW (BUT OF COURSE IT IS WELCOME IF YOU DO), BUT EVEN A PROMISE FOR A PREORDER OR A CROWDFUNDING WHERE YOU PAY LATER THIS YEAR WOULD HELP VERY MUCH.(If it will be economically impossible to publish the Black Cross/Red Star series, I will of course re-pay those of you who have paid to my PayPal account; I haven't touched that account, all the money will remain there until I either use them to publish the book, or I return the money to the payers.) Anyone who can find a new crowdfunder (someone who has not crowdfunded Vol. 4), willing to order a hardcover copy of Volume 5 at the crowdfunder price of at least USD$ 100, gets a 10 % discount off my price of USD$ 60 from me on that volume. Please ask any new crowdfunder (or anyone who wishes to order a signed hardcopy Volume 5 at my regular price of USD$ 60) to e-mail me at vaktelforlag@gmail.com. Please note: Only to vaktelforlag@gmail.com Please also help me to spread the word! All help and support with this will be received with the utmost gratitude. You can read more about Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5 here:https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-5-great-air-battles-kuban-kursk-april-july-1943/ All the best & a Happy New Year! Christer Bergström”
ZachariasX Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 These are definitely the best and most comprehensive books on the subject. I thought I knew a lot about the subject, until I read Christers books.
darthdooboss Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 I have my copy of Volume 4 and crowfunded the Volume 5 The best book of his kind 1
SCG_Tzigy Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 28 minutes ago, darthdooboss said: I have my copy of Volume 4 and crowfunded the Volume 5 The best book of his kind Same here!!!
Pajeka Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 3 hours ago, darthdooboss said: I have my copy of Volume 4 and crowfunded the Volume 5 The best book of his kind Likewise - crowdfunded vol 4 and 5. Just gotta support Christer and his incredible work! 1 2
LLv34_Flanker Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 S! Spread the word Got Vol 4 on shelf, crowdfunding Vol 5. 1
FlyingH Posted January 9, 2020 Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) Newly he released the 4th volume of Black Cross/Red Star about the airwar on the east front. He plans to write further volumes and now asks fro crowdfunding for vol 5 via inserted letter. If all of us who are interested in his work, support him, I think he´ll be able to fulfill the task. "Hello, I am turning to all of you who pre-ordered Black Cross/Red Star, Vol. 4. There is something that worries me about this book series. I am now working full time on Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5, and am making great progress. On 12 January, I am going to research the Bundesarchiv for a week for this book. If you are happy with Volume 4, I think you will find Volume 5 even better. There is so much really sensational material there. My plan is to have this volume published in the summer of this year, 2020. As mentioned previously, this book series is, in fact, living from hand to mouth, and each subsequent volume is totally dependant on the success of the previous volume, and its crowdfunding. My goal is to get just 125 crowdfunders to contribute at least USD $100 each for Volume 5 (plus postage). Then it can be published within a couple of months. And the crowdfunders will also have their names printed as an acknowledgment in the book. I also need as many ordinary pre-orders as possible for USD 60 (plus postage) for a signed hardcover copy. However, I am beginning to worry about Black Cross/Red Star, Vol. 5.So far, I have no more than 33 pre-orders, including crowdfunders. What is even more worrying is that sales of Volume 4 have more or less stopped. No more than nine (9) copies were sold world-wide the past month. So Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5 is in a desperate need of crowdfunders and more pre-orders.In order to calculate whether a publication and continued priority work on that book are realistic, I would like to ask every one of you who considers making a pre-order or an offer for crowdfunding to do so now. Please note:YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING NOW (BUT OF COURSE IT IS WELCOME IF YOU DO), BUT EVEN A PROMISE FOR A PREORDER OR A CROWDFUNDING WHERE YOU PAY LATER THIS YEAR WOULD HELP VERY MUCH. (If it will be economically impossible to publish the Black Cross/Red Star series, I will of course re-pay those of you who have paid to my PayPal account; I haven't touched that account, all the money will remain there until I either use them to publish the book, or I return the money to the payers.) Anyone who can find a new crowdfunder (someone who has not crowdfunded Vol. 4), willing to order a hardcover copy of Volume 5 at the crowdfunder price of at least USD$ 100, gets a 10 % discount off my price of USD$ 60 from me on that volume. Please ask any new crowdfunder (or anyone who wishes to order a signed hardcopy Volume 5 at my regular price of USD$ 60) to e-mail me at vaktelforlag@gmail.com. Please note: Only to vaktelforlag@gmail.com" Edited January 9, 2020 by FlyingH
1CGS LukeFF Posted January 10, 2020 1CGS Posted January 10, 2020 https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/56519-black-crossred-star-volume-5/?do=findComment&comment=876044
Jade_Monkey Posted January 10, 2020 Posted January 10, 2020 Reviews on Vol4? I was curious but the different versions and the unconvetional order process were enough to put it in the backburner for me.
LLv34_Flanker Posted January 10, 2020 Posted January 10, 2020 (edited) S! BC RS vol 4 is packed with data. That alone made me pre - order vol 5. There was nothing strange in the order, just chose which one I wanted and then paid it via PayPal. Book came as promised and Christer kept you aware when to expect it. The best thing is that there are plans to updated version of BC RS volumes 1-3 that are considered the best source of info on Eastern Front Air Combat. Volume 4 makes No difference in that. Highly recommend the books. Edited January 10, 2020 by LLv34_Flanker 1 2
SYN_Ricky Posted January 10, 2020 Posted January 10, 2020 Got my copy of Vol. 4 and crowfunded Vol. 5, I really hope that the series will go on. 1
FlyingH Posted January 10, 2020 Posted January 10, 2020 @J_M, I´m reading vol 4 and its a very comprehensive piece of info! I´ve come about halfways thruogh it and so far I´m impressed with how much work must have gone into the research. As Flanker said I too highly recommend it. (and future volumes) 1 2
sevenless Posted January 10, 2020 Posted January 10, 2020 13 hours ago, Jade_Monkey said: Reviews on Vol4? I was curious but the different versions and the unconvetional order process were enough to put it in the backburner for me. Dunno about reviews but you can get that book from Amazon for small money. https://www.amazon.de/Black-Cross-Star-Eastern-Front/dp/9188441504/ref=sr_1_4?__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=christer+bergström&qid=1578679205&sr=8-4
cardboard_killer Posted January 10, 2020 Posted January 10, 2020 14 hours ago, Jade_Monkey said: Reviews on Vol4? I was curious but the different versions and the unconvetional order process were enough to put it in the backburner for me. Over the weekend, I tried to give a BoS to a new player I know from the board game community, and I had real difficulty with IL-2's website partner (xsola or whatever). They wanted "fraud confirmation" and supposedly tried to charge a small amount on my CC, have me find out what that amount was from my card company, then contact them again for the full charge. I'm not doing that. I've made half a dozen purchases from this site before without problem with the same CC. So, I'm buying from Steam from now on. Companies have been taking CCs on line now for a quarter century; you'd think they'd do a better job by now.
LLv34_Flanker Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 S! Good news is that after Volume 5 there will be updated versions of Volumes 1-3! So good times ahead. 3
ZachariasX Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 I just read the first of his "Arnhem 1944" books. It is a remarkable work. Regardless if you think you knew much of that (I thought so and I was wrong, as usual) or little, the book has a very special way of telling that story while incorporating existing narratives (like the movie and the book "A Bridge Too Far") into the events detailing the characters and actually making sense of many things that happened and putting them into perspective. After finishing the second book, I'll certainly fetch that bluray from my shelf and have another look at the film. Again, as in all of his books what stands out is Christers dedication to each of the participants that he can describe as the human beings they were, with their strenghts and their shortcomings. It makes so much of the "bad decisons" (labeled such with the advantage of hindsight) actually plausible and sometimes even reasonable ones. Also it points out in a very clear manner that battles were lost in other ways than previously thought. It is also very straightforward to read with the pictures to introduce the people and the battlefields, then and now. I feared it to be rather dry material. Far from ist. It is also a very personal account, in many ways. 1 1
Hartigan Posted January 31, 2020 Posted January 31, 2020 This topic should be send to General discussion page! If this kind of marketing is allowed? Just noticed 1C email and by accident I saw Special request from the Devs to support Christers work. I will buy vol.4 and crowfund vol.5. Will order 1-3 when a new editions are available!
TRRA15 Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 On 1/10/2020 at 4:35 AM, SYN_Ricky said: Got my copy of Vol. 4 and crowfunded Vol. 5, I really hope that the series will go on. I'd still waiting for my copy of Volume 4...sent payment 4 months ago.
ZachariasX Posted February 2, 2020 Posted February 2, 2020 1 hour ago, TRRA15 said: I'd still waiting for my copy of Volume 4...sent payment 4 months ago. Write him again, usually he's quick in following up on such matters.
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