Preparation for the Game Experience

[KG Erwin]

On the Matrix forum I made a post that demonstrated my unfamiliarity with BOA2's concepts, and some folks regarded it as a criticism. I didn't intend it to come out that way. I am VERY happy I made the investment, and my current intention is to take a crash course on the history. I ordered Robert Middlekauff's "The Glorious Cause", and plan on plowing my way through its 752 pages.

The mistake I made was diving right into the full AWI campaign, so I felt a bit overwhelmed. Yes, I tend to dive in feet first, so it's my fault for being impatient.

That being said, I applaud the game and its design. I want this to be understood.

[Primasprit]

Hi KG Erwin,

great to hear that you have fun! Criticism if of course welcome too, without it were would be no progress.

Cheers
Norbert

[Pocus]

... said the scientist

welcome aboard KG Erwin!

[Comtedemeighan]

Hey another good book to read on the period covered by the game is Crucible of War by Fred Anderson its a great general history of the French and Indian war or the 7 years war whatever you prefer to call it

[Obediah]

Anderson's book is considered the ultimate book about the F&IW...or SYWINA, as I sometimes think of it (Seven Years' War In North America).

[GlobalExplorer]

These games are very hard in the beginning, nothing to be ashamed of.

[Johnnie]

Fred Anderson is ok, but Crucible of War can be DRY. He also covers a period after the war itself. Some of the discussions of Indian politics in Crucible of War are so detailed, and boring, that I found myself begging for mercy.

For a good old fashioned narrative history get a copy of Montcalm and Wolfe, by Francis Parkman. There is a Barnes and Noble Books printing which should be available at your local B & N. Yes it is dated, first published in 1884, but a good story never goes out of fashion. Yes it is politically incorrect, but I can deal with the pro-Anglo bent.

It is very well written, tells the traditional story, basically the truth, as it turns out. And it is a great read. I have a masters in history, and I got much more from Parkman than from Anderson.

[Hobbes]

I agree, I'm just finishing his Pontiac Conspiracy and have enjoyed it immensely. Later books may be more accurate in some details but none beat him for colour and readability (from those I have read).

Cheers, Chris

[Kotik]

Im reading "France and England in the New world" by Francis Parkman right now, when I ordered them at my library I thought it was just one book of reasonble size, to my surprise I got 2 "bricks" of some 1500 pages each printed on so thin paper I can read the text on the other side of the page. Also the English in the book is a bit old so I had to learn a couple of new words so after close to 2 months I have only reached page 1300 in the first book, I will be reading those books until I retire.

Now the books are great, a lot of information and extremely interesting but dear god...

[tyrex]

Strange enough it seems that the Indian-French War has no name at all in french.

As for I know in France Seven Years War was only used for the european theater. Not much is said about the fight for Nouvelle France as it was named at that time.