tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.comments2023-06-01T02:41:15.558-07:00The Tipsy HistorianMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-82448751382117406352009-04-03T13:04:00.000-07:002009-04-03T13:04:00.000-07:00Hi Robert, Good to here from you again. Aside from...Hi Robert, <BR/>Good to here from you again. <BR/>Aside from Morris' incredible talent, this story is even more jarring when the idea of an unknown fate is considered. That's really amazing that you've found graves of unknown soldiers. Is there a reporting body that you inform when you find them? Is there anything at all to be done?<BR/>The discussion of this same subject in "This Republic of Suffering" is also absolutely staggering; that was an upsetting book to read. <BR/>Are you reading anything good right now? I'm finishing up Coski's "The Confederate Battle Flag", my reading has been slow because of other commitments (and the fact that I read Watchmen on the side)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-35028735882681223222009-04-03T05:53:00.000-07:002009-04-03T05:53:00.000-07:00It's really moving to think about unknowns. I've l...It's really moving to think about unknowns. I've located about half-a-dozen graves of unknown Union soldiers in my home county and can't help but wonder what the impact was on the families back home. It is especially difficult when you think that the families knew a son, husband, brother, or father was missing, but to never know their fate or where they were buried, that just gets to me in a huge way.<BR/><BR/>Robert at Cenantua's BlogAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-32439086952846905902009-04-02T14:31:00.000-07:002009-04-02T14:31:00.000-07:00Hi Daniel, Thanks for the comment, appreciate it. ...Hi Daniel, <BR/>Thanks for the comment, appreciate it. Your points are well-taken, though there's a few things we disagree on.<BR/>1. I don't agree that the concept of the "Good Death" was made up by Dr. Faust. She is not the first person to study this concept, which was a huge part of how death was conceptualized in America prior to and during the war, I refer you to "Awaiting the Heavenly Country" by Mark Schantz<BR/>2. I didn't find the book dry at all, indeed found it hauntingly vivid and painful most of the time. It's difficult to instill a sense of gravitas on the casualty numbers resulting from the war (as Stalin said "one death is a tragedy, one million is a statistic) and I thought Faust did a laudable job. <BR/>I read your review and appreciated you referencing Ambrose Bierce, a tremendously talented and unsung writer. I found Faust's links between the war and Bierce later writing to be quite indelible and satisfying. <BR/>3. I understand your taking issue with my regard for Catton, Foote, and Freeman. There is much more context and exploration in my posts on the Lost Cause mythology (esp my review of Lee's Tarnished Lieutenant re: Freeman). <BR/>I agree with you that they are superb writers, but do not agree that they are superb historians. <BR/>Foote himself never claimed to be a historian and was surprised his trilogy was regarded as such. Moreover, he supplies absolutely no references, so fact-checking or further exploration of his points is impossible. This is not the technique of a good historian. <BR/>Some historians are better writers than others, I grant you that, but we must expect some level of academic rigor and completeness from those who would write our nation's history. <BR/>I do not have enmity towards "narrative history" though I've never heard that term before. I don't like mediocre historiography, which I'm sure you agree with. McPherson, Sears, Rhea, and Gallagher are all examples of both colorful writers as well as rigorous historians, and I would group Faust with them as well. <BR/>I enjoyed seeing the multiple subjects you write about, we multiple subject-bloggers are a rare breed.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-52943089917527560072009-03-31T09:12:00.000-07:002009-03-31T09:12:00.000-07:00Hello,I entirely disagree with your review. In fac...Hello,<BR/>I entirely disagree with your review. In fact, this book is one of the worst, if not the very worst Civil War history book I've yet read. Your suggestion that Foote, Catton, and Freeman were bloviating because they didn't write the "social science" history that Dr. Faust prefers is utterly absurd and entirely unfair to each of those men you mention. Republic of Suffering adds little to the literature of the war as it is based upon a false premise, this ridiculous concept of the "Good Death". I suggest that Republic of Suffering is a failure because it's premise is a failure. Reading this book was as painful as an untreated leg amputation. Your favor for the "historical analysis" of the War is clear, but in the main this approach tends to result in dry, mistaken material such at This Republic of Suffering. Your statement that "men like Bruce Catton, Shelby Foote, and Douglas Southall Freeman, lacked the skill and vision to present the war in its full, gruesome reality" is a bizarre criticism of three of the great narrative historians of the War. All are superb writers and historians and to suggest otherwise is to do them and your readers a disservice. I have seen this academic enmity towards narrative history and favoritism for the drier and more analytic academic approach typified by Dr. Faust in this book. In my opinion, making something as exciting, multi-layered, and fascinating as the Civil War boring ought to be something of a crime. False premises, dry writing, over-analysis, and a total disconnect from the real people who fought and died and their purposes and reactions are the fundamental approaches to bad Civil War writing. I invite your readers to read my own review of this very unfortunate book.<BR/>http://booksfilmandmusic.com/2008/03/10/this-republic-of-suffering-by-drew-gilpin-faust-reviewed-must-history-hurt-so/<BR/>-Daniel Mallockdanielhttp://booksfilmandmusic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-50549912789830112062009-03-15T22:47:00.000-07:002009-03-15T22:47:00.000-07:00Hi Mark,Actually, I am in California. I live just ...Hi Mark,<BR/><BR/>Actually, I am in California. I live just below San Francisco. Not David Ward, but Woodbury, though long ago I published an article of David Ward's in "Civil War Regiments" on the 96th Pennsylvania. I assume it's the same David Ward. <BR/><BR/>Coincidentally, I am also running a series of Civil War tours this year, only one of which has been announced, the 1864 Shenandoah Campaign. Beyond that, I have a bunch of custom events I'll announce next week, involving small groups in large vans, traveling with a historian to sites off the beaten tracks of the typical organized tours. Starting with "Unseen Appomattox" in May, with park historian Patrick Schroeder.<BR/><BR/>I have been to the Huntington once for several days under the auspices of Broadfoot Publishing when he was putting together his Supplement to the O.R. The Huntington had a lot of unpublished after-action reports that didn't make it into the O.R. for one reason or another. Most notably, they had Simon Buckner's report on Perryville, and tons of Joe Hooker reports. <BR/><BR/>Click on the "dw" in the title to this post for info on the Shenandoah tour. <BR/><BR/>Daviddwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01748726942956990159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-83327847958379124442009-03-15T21:00:00.000-07:002009-03-15T21:00:00.000-07:00Hi David, Glad you enjoyed it, and I'm thrilled to...Hi David, <BR/>Glad you enjoyed it, and I'm thrilled to here that the Huntington has a following beyond California. Have you been there before? Also, do you happen to be the David Ward that runs Blue and Gray Tours? Your schedule is absolutely fantastic, I'm really hoping to join one of the trips later this year.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-66350325984661072922009-03-14T02:58:00.000-07:002009-03-14T02:58:00.000-07:00That was an outstanding post. Picture Grant readin...That was an outstanding post. Picture Grant reading this letter. And you're right, the Huntington's collections are really amazing -- overlooked by some East Coasters, but not the serious ones. <BR/><BR/>Daviddwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01748726942956990159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-32852348517834900142009-03-02T11:16:00.000-08:002009-03-02T11:16:00.000-08:00Hey Jim, Your last comment slipped by me, sorry. I...Hey Jim, <BR/>Your last comment slipped by me, sorry. <BR/>I agree with your concerns about Powerpoint, Murphy's Law waiting to happen. <BR/>The syllabus was a trial run the first time I gave the talk, but I liked when people were flipping the pages, nodding their heads, and pointing at things. <BR/>I had several classes with Joan Waugh, and there was always something to go along with the lecture that was a brilliant augmentation. She's one of the best professors at UCLA and that technique and her comfort with it is a big reason whyMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-42198061394140660242009-02-27T14:03:00.000-08:002009-02-27T14:03:00.000-08:00Coly, Will do!Coly, <BR/>Will do!Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-2533025910541209482009-02-25T21:25:00.000-08:002009-02-25T21:25:00.000-08:00Mark,I wish I could have been there to hear your p...Mark,<BR/><BR/>I wish I could have been there to hear your presentation. Let me know when you are speaking again.<BR/><BR/>Colyc_hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10722905423692356905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-14229410830391894052009-02-23T19:06:00.000-08:002009-02-23T19:06:00.000-08:00Mark - Well, from the unsolicited testimonial I ju...Mark - Well, from the unsolicited testimonial I just saw, it sounds like your presentation was indeed a success! Congrats, again!<BR/><BR/>Thanks also for following up with more info on your "syllabus."<BR/><BR/>As for my presentations, I've had the privilege of giving 5 different presentations to more than a dozen CWRTs over the past 6 or 7 years. I've either had no visuals at all, overheads, 35mm slides, or PowerPoint slides.<BR/><BR/>One thing I have always handed out is a sheet of paper with a summary of the talk, contact info, and a place to take notes/questions.<BR/><BR/>I guess I've be afraid to hand out something like a syllabus out of fear that it would distract the audience, but it sounds like it has been a terrific medium for you and your groups.<BR/><BR/>I have found that PowerPoint presentations have their hazards: LCD projectors aren't available, they don't work, etc. I've tried to make sure that my "lecture" is interesting enough on its own that it doesn;t stand or fall on whether I have slides...something i've learned the hard way.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the advice!Jim Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03635615531025513644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-91238167843470979442009-02-23T18:51:00.000-08:002009-02-23T18:51:00.000-08:00Hi Susan, I'm really pleased that the lecture was ...Hi Susan, <BR/>I'm really pleased that the lecture was well-received. I had a blast talking to your roundtable and definitely look forward to coming back. <BR/>Please feel free to comment here at will and let anyone else you know who may be interested to come join in.<BR/>Best, <BR/>MarkMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-43556365032274667742009-02-23T03:59:00.000-08:002009-02-23T03:59:00.000-08:00Mark, from the feedback our group really enjoyed y...Mark, from the feedback our group really enjoyed your presentation. I could tell they were following along with the syllabus. You notice none were left on the tables when the people left . Thanks again for visiting us. I am looking forward to hearinf from you when you have your next presentation put together and ready to take it on the road. Isent Coly the pictures I took .<BR/>susanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-72205357184906453482009-02-22T17:13:00.000-08:002009-02-22T17:13:00.000-08:00Thanks Jim, The lecture syllabus that I use is a c...Thanks Jim, <BR/>The lecture syllabus that I use is a compilation of images and maps used to accent the verbal content of the lecture. Originally set up in PowerPoint, I've made copies that are handed out at the beginning of the talk and ask the crowd not to look ahead.<BR/>The syllabus contains campaign maps, photographic portraits of various personalities, book covers of important texts, photos I took at Gettysburg etc. They are in order and as I move through the lecture, I ask the crowd to turn to the next page in the syllabus. <BR/>What this allows for is another level of crowd engagement and participation as they absorb material along with the spoken word. <BR/>Example, there is a picture of Henry Abbott as well as the book "Fallen Leaves". I introduce him to the audience early on, then when quoting him later, they know the book they came from. When he is addressed at the end, there is another picture to look at. When you hear his exploits, it's one thing. When you're looking into his eyes while learning what he did and said, it's quite another.<BR/>This keeps my audience much more engaged and eager with anticipation. It also gives a much stronger sense of identification. The maps and photos provide excellent context and allow me to focus my narrative on the subject matter at hand, with less time spent on explanation. <BR/>I was steeped in this lecture style by Dr. Joan Waugh, who was my professor at UCLA for several courses, and is a master of using multimedia in her lectures. <BR/>I'm just starting out giving these lectures, will give another one to the San Diego Roundtable in October, haven't decided on the subject matter yet. Do you use adjunctive material in your lectures, and what do you lecture on?<BR/>Thanks again!<BR/>MarkMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-27366739332699762192009-02-22T16:02:00.000-08:002009-02-22T16:02:00.000-08:00Mark - Congratulations on the success of your rece...Mark - Congratulations on the success of your recent CWRT presentation! I agree completely that the very best part of these is the Q&A at the end. Many times I incorporate the subject of the question into a revised presentation. Can you talk a bit more (or point me to a previous post) about the "syllabus" you hand out and why you think it helps engage the audience?<BR/><BR/>All my Best,<BR/><BR/>Jim SchmidtJim Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03635615531025513644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-6697127219763516052009-02-22T12:56:00.000-08:002009-02-22T12:56:00.000-08:00Hi Vikki, Thanks for the comment, glad you like it...Hi Vikki, <BR/>Thanks for the comment, glad you like it. I try to keep things diverse, if you ever try one of the drinks, please let me know what you think, and please add your opinions to any topics you like. Thanks for following alongMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-57754043837501244432009-02-21T14:34:00.000-08:002009-02-21T14:34:00.000-08:00Hi Mark, you have an interesting blog here--someth...Hi Mark, you have an interesting blog here--something for almost everyone! I've added you to Renegade South's blogroll<BR/><BR/>Vikki<BR/>http://renegadesouth.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-28798125143184862592009-02-18T00:44:00.000-08:002009-02-18T00:44:00.000-08:00Hi Mark. I enjoyed your talk tonight at the OCCWRT...Hi Mark. I enjoyed your talk tonight at the OCCWRT. I asked you a question about whether you knew of another book by Savas-Woodbury concerning the Harvard Regiment. When I got home I did some searching and found that the book I was thinking of wasn't about The Harvard Regiment. The title of the book is By The Blood Of Our Alumni: Norwich University Citizen Soldiers In The Army Of The Potomac, 1861-1865. Here is a brief description from Amazon: Product Description<BR/>The nation's oldest private military academy, Norwich was second only to West Point in producing officers for the Northern war effort during the Civil War. This account of Norwich graduates at war is supplemented by comparative casualty analyses and cross-referenced listing of alumni.<BR/><BR/>By the way, although I didn't graduate from UCLA, I've been a season football ticket holder for about 40 years. I also am a big UCLA and college basketball fan, play tennis when I don't have injuries (plantar fasciitis for the second time in 5 or 6 years, so I've been off the courts for 6 months) and will be going on a CW tour in June with some friends.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure this was more than you really wanted to know about me.<BR/><BR/>Bill Haley whaley77@verizon.netBill Haleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06526958607387671778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-64569166721757544572009-02-17T13:44:00.000-08:002009-02-17T13:44:00.000-08:00We are looking forward to having you at our round ...We are looking forward to having you at our round table tonight Mark. <BR/>See you soon .<BR/><BR/>Susan SweetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-68051367122821573482009-02-10T23:42:00.000-08:002009-02-10T23:42:00.000-08:00Thanks for the comment, glad you found my blog. I'...Thanks for the comment, glad you found my blog. I'll definitely take a look at the online resources. <BR/>I wrote a post about the Grant-Lee exhibit in October. My wife and I are going to try to make a trip out from CA to see it before it ends. Looks like a tremendous affair.<BR/>Here's the link: http://tipstorian.blogspot.com/2008/10/amazing-new-exhibit-grant-and-lee-in.html<BR/>Please enjoy the blog and share your insights!Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-52664749904166492762009-02-10T19:58:00.000-08:002009-02-10T19:58:00.000-08:00Great blog! Here is some info on an exhibition we...Great blog! Here is some info on an exhibition we have opening on Thursday. Also, check out info on our major exhibition Grant and Lee In War and Peace at https://www.nyhistory.org/web/grantandlee/<BR/><BR/>Feel free to share information about either to your readers. Thanks!<BR/><BR/>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<BR/><BR/>RARE AND IMPORTANT LINCOLN MANUSCRIPTS GO ON<BR/>DISPLAY AT THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, FEBRUARY 12<BR/><BR/>Abraham Lincoln in His Own Words Is Latest Presentation in the<BR/>Lincoln Year, Commemorating the Bicentennial of the Sixteenth President<BR/><BR/>New York, NY – A draft of the epoch-making “House Divided” speech, stirring notes for an address against slavery, a telegram encouraging General Ulysses S. Grant at a turning point in the Civil War, and the resolution for the Thirteenth Amendment bearing the President’s signature: These are among the rare and important letters, papers and official documents in Abraham Lincoln’s own hand that will be on display, as the New-York Historical Society presents, in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the exhibition Abraham Lincoln in His Own Words.<BR/><BR/>Opening on February 12, 2009 (the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth) and remaining on view through July 12, Abraham Lincoln in His Own Words is the latest offering in the Historical Society’s Lincoln Year of exhibitions, lectures, events and public programs commemorating the bicentennial. The Lincoln Year will culminate in the Historical Society’s major exhibition for 2009, Lincoln and New York (opening October 2), for which the distinguished Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer has served as chief historian.<BR/><BR/>“Nothing matches the immediacy of approaching a great figure through authentic objects,” stated Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of the New-York Historical Society. “Visitors to Abraham Lincoln in His Own Words will experience this thrill of physical presence, as they view Abraham Lincoln’s life and career in the original, from his period as an attorney and legislator in Illinois through his assassination and its aftermath.”<BR/><BR/>“As Lincoln begins his third century in American memory, we hope these documents will help illuminate his unique contribution to our country’s history,” stated James G. Basker, President of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.<BR/><BR/>In addition to seeing handwritten public documents by Lincoln, visitors will also encounter his more personal side, in letters to a struggling school friend of his eldest son and to his wife Mary (the latter written days before his death). Also on view are first edition texts, including a signed lithograph of his Emancipation Proclamation, a broadside of his Second Inaugural Address distributed in 1865, and a copy of his First Inaugural Address as published in 1861 in the Chicago Tribune.<BR/><BR/>Lending dramatic context to these items are a variety of other remarkable period objects, such as photographs, prints, sculptures, testimonies, and more. Visitors will see a cast of Lincoln’s face made in 1860 by sculptor Leonard Volk; a photograph by Alexander Gardner of Lincoln and General McClellan in the field in 1862; a Currier & Ives print of the fall fo Richmond in 1865; and a letter of condolence to Mary Todd Lincoln from Frederick Douglass, written in August 1865. Rounding out the exhibition are the original artists’ models by Daniel Chester French for the Lincoln sculpture commissioned by Lincoln, Nebraska (1911) and for the colossal seated figure at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. (1916).<BR/><BR/>With the exception of the sculptures, all objects in the exhibition are drawn from the Gilder Lehrman Collection, which is on deposit at the New-York Historical Society. An accompanying illustrated book, Great Lincoln Documents: Historians Present Treasures from the Gilder Lehrman Collection, has been published by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, featuring essays by ten noted historians, including James McPherson, Allen Guelzo, David Blight, Richard Carwardine, and Harold Holzer.<BR/><BR/>Images available at http://www.nyhistory.org/press<BR/>Username: nyhistory<BR/>Password: pressroomtwrotenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05716438684569303800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-84158010634576964492009-02-09T16:04:00.000-08:002009-02-09T16:04:00.000-08:00Hey Dad (Des to those of you who may be wondering)...Hey Dad (Des to those of you who may be wondering), sorry it took a few days to get your comment posted! Glad you enjoyed my thoughts.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-47989008307457552632009-02-09T16:01:00.000-08:002009-02-09T16:01:00.000-08:00Thanks, glad you like it! Please share your insigh...Thanks, glad you like it! Please share your insights with me on any older posts as well as posts to come, and feel free to tell your friends and fellow coffee drinkers/tennis players/mixologists/Civil War buffs about my blog.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01123269564507068854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-61098452708319692662009-02-09T06:45:00.000-08:002009-02-09T06:45:00.000-08:00Hi there. I'm pretty sure I'm going to like your b...Hi there. I'm pretty sure I'm going to like your blog. I love tennis, coffee and cocktails, so it's a match made in heaven. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458322901672504659.post-11514411335606399612009-02-06T10:58:00.000-08:002009-02-06T10:58:00.000-08:00Mark,Thanks for the reply...honestly, I don;t know...Mark,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the reply...honestly, I don;t know what I'll read next. I'm in the middle of "Almost a Miracle" but that's a long-term reading "project"...I started on a new book called "Frontier Medicine" but I've found it pretty disappointing so far...I think I'll go through Drew Waggenhoffer's reviews of books about the war in Texas, and pick one...I'm also in research/writing mode which cuts into "fun reading."<BR/><BR/>JimJim Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03635615531025513644noreply@blogger.com