Category Archives: Books & Authors

A Place for Historical Fiction: Savas Beatie Tests the Waters

Posted on October 16, 2017 by

Really? Savas Beatie published a novel? No way! . . . and then I talked to publisher Ted Savas. The following is an interview concerning the publication of Six Days in September, a novel of Lee’s army in Maryland, 1862.

Posted in Book Review, Books & Authors, Personalities | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Question of the Week: 10/16-10/22/17

Posted on October 16, 2017 by

In your opinion, what’s the best biography of a Union general? What makes it “the best”?

Posted in Books & Authors, Leadership--Federal, Question of the Week | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Preservation Victory at Bristoe Station

Posted on October 14, 2017 by

Great news from our friends at the Civil War Trust! On this, the anniversary of the Battle of Bristoe Station, the Trust announces more hallowed ground saved at this northern Virginia battlefield. Prince William County’s Historic Preservation Division will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Armies, Arms & Armaments, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Books & Authors, Campaigns, Civil War Trails, Common Soldier, ECW Weekender, Emerging Civil War Series, Leadership--Confederate, Leadership--Federal, Memory, Monuments, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“If Grant Had Been Drinking at Appomattox” by James Thurber

Posted on October 11, 2017 by

James Thurber (1894-1961) was an American author, cartoonist, playwright and celebrated wit. He published mostly in the magazine The New Yorker and loved to poke fun at things other people took perhaps a little too seriously. Here is one of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors, Civil War in Pop Culture | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“If We Fail Now the North Has no Hope:” The Antietam Campaign of 1862

Posted on October 6, 2017 by

The Fifth Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium, August 3-5, 2018, will focus on Turning Points of the American Civil War. We were excited to announce that our Keynote Speaker will be retired Gettysburg National Military Park Supervisory Historian Scott Hartwig. … Continue reading →

Posted in Armies, Arms & Armaments, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Books & Authors, Campaigns, Common Soldier, Leadership--Confederate, Leadership--Federal, Lincoln, Memory, Monuments, National Park Service, Symposium | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Eric Wittenberg Rides the “Whirlwind” at Bennett Place

Posted on September 18, 2017 by

“We Ride a Whirlwind”: Sherman and Johnston at Bennett Place is award-winning historian Eric J. Wittenberg’s 20th published book on the Civil War. Unlike almost all of his other works, this is not a battle study. Rather, it’s a detailed look at the nine … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

On to On to Petersburg!

Posted on September 12, 2017 by

I don’t know about you, but for years, I have been anxiously awaiting the completion in Gordon Rhea’s epic study of the Overland Campaign. Knowing that the release of the final chapter was pending, I have been ridiculously excited for … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors, Campaigns, Emerging Civil War | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Question of the Week: 9/11-9/17/17

Posted on September 11, 2017 by

We’re enjoying Kevin Pawlak’s collection of primary sources related to the 1862 Maryland Campaign. So…we had to ask: What’s your all-time favorite primary source from the Civil War? Why?

Posted in Books & Authors, Primary Sources, Question of the Week | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

The Union Cavalry Comes of Age Returns

Posted on September 6, 2017 by

I am often asked what’s my favorite of my various books. Inevitably, I answer, “That’s not fair. That’s like asking me to pick a favorite toe.” I wouldn’t undertake the cost, time, or effort to write books if I didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Authors, Cavalry, Emerging Civil War | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

With Lee in Leesburg: Harrison Hall

Posted on September 5, 2017 by

On the night of September 5, 1862 a lot must have been going through Lee’s mind as he went to bed in the home of Henry and Jane Harrison in Leesburg. A few days before he informed Confederate President Davis … Continue reading →

Posted in Armies, Arms & Armaments, Battlefields & Historic Places, Battles, Books & Authors, Civil War Events, Civil War Trails, Emerging Civil War, Leadership--Confederate, Memory, Personalities, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments