1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Georgia, and have a history degree from Georgia Southern
University.  I have a wife, three kids, and a new dog. I’ve always
enjoyed history and hobbies that involve painting and building.  I’ve
been building plastic models since I was five.

2. How did you get involved in the gaming hobby?
Like many kids in my generation, I played Dungeons & Dragons as a kid
and teenager.  Of course, I also played Battletech and had to buy and
paint miniatures for the game.  One fateful day in college I saw a news
program, you know the kind that features some local special interest
story, and it highlighted a Civil War miniature game that was going to
be demonstrated at my college.  I showed up and played in the game that
evening.  That started a lifelong friendship with some of the people
there, and began my involvement with Civil War miniature gaming.  If it
wasn’t for that news feature, I may not be a game designer and author
today. I also went on to work for twelve years at White Wolf Publishing,
a role-playing game company.  So, I’ve been in front of and behind the
scenes in the game and publishing industry most of my adult career.

3.  Tell us about your company and your products.
I began Historic Imagination as a way to blend my interests in
cartography, Civil War history, and the internet.  In 2008 I began
working on the website Civil War Virtual Tours
(www.civilwarvirtualtours.com).  It features several battles and breaks
them down into 15 minute intervals on a regimental level. After
completing the sections on Pickett’s Mill and Allatoona Pass, I thought
to myself “well, you’ve done this much research, why don’t you write a
book on the battles.”  So I did.  I started off publishing scenario
books for miniature games for Chickamauga and Pickett’s Mill, then wrote
full length battle studies on Pickett’s Mill and Allatoona.

4. What is your most recent release?
My latest release has been on the first part of the Atlanta Campaign.
The Road to Atlanta: Regimental Wargame Scenarios for the Atlanta
Campaign May-June 1864.  I’ve always felt the western theatre has been
long ignored.  Both in historical studies, and in the miniature wargame
realm.  This book contains scenarios for the first two months of the
Atlanta campaign.  The big battles are there; Resaca, Kennesaw
Mountain.  But I enjoy tactical wargames, as opposed to strategic or
grand tactical.  So most of the games are at the division level.  Even
the larger battles are broken up into easily playable components.

Brad’s latest scenario book release – The Road to Atlanta

5. What attracts you to the American Civil War?
For starters, the surviving documents of both sides are in English!
Mostly.  I’ve always disliked learning and reading foreign languages; my
brains just not wired that way.  But as the war itself, I think it
showcases the best and worst of humanity. I’m sure the same can be said
of any war, to a degree, but being an American it’s certainly more
personal and closer to home. There are numerous examples of mercy and
compassion among combatants, offset by pure butchery and madness.  I’m
also an eager student of leadership.  What made the officers make their
decisions, and why?

6. What are your favorite ACW battles, leaders or campaigns? Why?
My single favorite campaign and battle is the Chickamauga campaign.
There is certainly no lack of personalities!   From a miniature gaming
standpoint, and an organizational one as well, you have units from
several different theaters converging in one spot.  So many different
units and flags to paint and put on the table!

7. Besides the ACW what other periods do you enjoy?
I enjoy studying several periods in history.  I won’t turn down an
opportunity to read or study any area.  But besides the Civil War, I
read and study a lot of World War 2.  This mostly comes about because
I’m an avid plastic model builder.  I can tell you everything you need
to know about M4 Sherman tank variants down to the locking clasps on the
hatches and the different types of tracks.

8. What do you have planned for future releases or expansions?
I have a few non-Civil War projects I’m currently working on, but the
next miniature gaming book will be volume 2 of the Atlanta Campaign.
That book will cover the battles around Atlanta in July and August.  I
also have long-term plans for scenario books for several other
campaigns, large and small.  Both East and West.

The Battle of Pickett’s Mill by Brad Butkovich

9. What is the best way for customers to purchase your products?
My books can be purchased through many online outlets. Amazon.com,
Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com), for example.  You can also have your local
game store order any of them with their ISBN numbers.  They are also
available as ebooks at Wargame Vault (www.wargamevault.com).

10. Anything else you would like our readers to know?
I also write Civil War battle studies.  I have released two books so
far.  One is on the Battle of Pickett’s Mill, the other on Allatoona
Pass.  Both are published by The History Press and are available at all
major bookstores and online.  Other than that, have fun and get to the
gaming table!

Good Gaming – Cory @ CBB