Civil War: Virtual Book Signing (2 Viewers)

[jazzeum]

I've come across this interesting website, http://www.virtualbooksigning.net/. It's affiliated with the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop in Chicago. Every month or so they have authors who have or had a new book come in and for an hour or so, they talk about their book and you can see it live. Today they had Peter Cozzens talking about his book Shenandoah 1862: Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign and Noah Andre Trudeau talking about his book Southern Storm: Sherman's March to the Sea.

While the authors are talking, you can submit them a question that they answer.

What's also neat about this site is that all author talks are then archived so you can watch them for later viewing.

Their next event is in October when Harold Holzer talks about his new book about Lincoln and the Secession Crisis in 1860.

 

[UKReb]

Brad

I cannot help but notice that this is your umpteenth post over the last few weeks on the subject of the civil war and in particular Lincoln.

Now it is quite rare on this forum that anyone- especially the American members- to have a serious interest in this momentous event in US history; therefore I am just curious on why all of a sudden you have immersed yourself so thoroughly into the war by now mentioning authors that only buffs are aware of and actually purchasing civil war figures Whatever next?

Have you always had a "silent" interest in this part of your country's history that does not appeal in the slightest to the majority on here? or was it prompted just by reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's book?

Reb

 

[jazzeum]

Bob,

Uh, oh, I've been found out

Seriously, I'm not completely sure of the answer to your question. When I was younger I was interested in the Civil War and have a whole spate of Civil War, some of which, in all honesty, have gone unread, but which I am now rediscovering.

I first became interested in toy soldiers when we went to Normandy four years ago so, of course, I did a lot reading on World War II (to the exclusion of a lot of things) but lately the subject hasn't held as much fascination as before. So, there was that working when the book club I'm in decided to read the Goodwin book.

I think that sometimes certain interests lurk below the surface and sometimes it just takes a little spark to bring it out. I think that spark may have been the Goodwin book as it's reawakened my interest again in rediscovering our history. I also believe that your stories have contributed as well. I'm also finding it very exciting to explore a subject (and look at books) that I haven't thought about in year.

As my birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, I'm probably going to ask for either the Cozzens or the Trudeau book.

I'm in the middle of reading Garry Wills' book about the Gettsburg Adress, it's a little dense and the going is a little slow because there's a lot to absorb but it's recommended to those who haven't read it.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

Cheers,