Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Civil War News review


I am pleased to say that my book Robert E. Lee in War and Peace: The Photographic History of a Confederate and American Icon was recently reviewed by Civil War News. Here is a quote from the review:


  • “Recommended for all collectors of early photographs: it contains much information they will find useful. For students and admirers of Robert E. Lee, the many photographs will make this book precious.” – Civil War News


You can read the entire review here.

Friday, February 14, 2014

March Virginia Book Tour events and dates


My March Virginia Book Tour is right around the corner. Below is a list of the confirmed events.

Please share the information with anyone you know who lives in the area. I hope to see you there!

Friday, March 21
7:00 pm Old Manassas Courthouse, Manassas, VA
- presentation and book signing

Saturday, March 22
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Manassas National Battlefield, Manassas, VA
- book signing/meet and greet event

Sunday, March 23
2:00 pm Manassas Museum, Manassas, VA
- presentation and book signing

Tuesday, March 25
3:00 - 5:00 pm Washington and Lee University, Lee Chapel & Museum Shop, Lexington, VA (book signing)
7:00 pm Northern Auditorium in the Leyburn Library on campus, Lexington, VA (presentation)

Wednesday, March 26
6:00 pm Berryhill Plantation, Backroom of the Tavern, South Boston, VA
- presentation and book signing

Thursday, March 27
- presentation (12:30 pm) and book signing

Friday, March 28
- presentation and book signing

Saturday, March 29
- presentation and book signing

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Book supplement (after receiving additional information and upon further reflection)


It would only be natural to ask, “Why is there a need to supplement this book only a few months after its release?” Actually, the answer is quite straightforward. After submitting the final manuscript, I did not spend the months utilized by the publisher to complete the design, layout, editing, printing, and distribution of this book in isolation from the subject of Robert E. Lee photographs. 

During this time many collectors, dealers, and historians continued to submit to me their photographs of Lee for my opinion and analysis, as well as the results of their own study of the subject. Bits of interesting documentary information have turned up in some rather obscure publications of the period which have just recently been brought to my attention. Within this growing body of material, I have gleaned some additional information that helps “flesh out” some of the more sparsely covered topics in the book.

This window of time between my manuscript’s submission and the release of the book also allowed me (perhaps my own most severe critic with the exception of Dr. John O’Brien) to double check my sources and facts as submitted. Beside a few minor things like misspelled names and slightly inaccurate dates and such, one significant error was noted regarding Alexander Gardner’s fine photographs of Lee which needs to be pointed out and explained. However, upon reflection and further study, my conclusion regarding this particular photograph remains unshaken. More details to follow in subsequent posts.