Posted on 06/28/2005 10:45:07 AM PDT by Moose4
MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) -- Novelist and Civil War historian Shelby Foote, whose appearances on a PBS-TV documentary series helped America better understand one of the most defining periods of its past, has died, his family said Tuesday.
Foote's widow, Gwen, said her husband, who was 88, died Monday night.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
The cute little guy with the beard. Only in his 40's, iirc.
BTTT
Kibler, James E., Jr., "Shelby Foote: A Bibliography," Mississippi Quarterly, Vol. 24 (Fall 1971)
He did not hold a history position at a university, but neither oes British writer Paul Johnson, who'se better than 90% of the historians out there.
A terrific writer! And he seemed like such a sweet man. Reminded me a lot of John Keegan (whom I had the privilege of meeting once, and who *is* a sweet man!). RIP, Mr. Foote.
"Would you classify him as a "historian"?"
Although a stately and gentle soul, his fidelity to historical accuracy makes him an "historian" in my book. He had not sold out his integrity for an academic appointment. And yes, unlike most professional (academic) historians, he wrote in a way that most of us enjoyed reading his works. He did bring history alive, and that strikes me as the finest quality of a good historian. He also connected and explained, the rest of the historian's task. We have lost a fine writer and first rate historian.
He appearances of PBS' Civil War programs were the best!
May he rest in peace.
Semper Fi,
Kelly
Thank God we have always had brave men to protect us. This tells a little more about Major Ballou.
Born March 28, 1829 in Smithfield, R.I., Ballou was educated at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass.; Brown University in Providence, R.I. and the National Law School in Ballston, N.Y. He was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar in 1853.
Ballou devoted his brief life to public service. He was elected in 1854 as clerk of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, later serving as its speaker.
He married Sarah Hart Shumway on October 15, 1855, and the following year saw the birth of their first child, Edgar. A second son, William, was born in 1859.
Ballou immediately entered the military in 1861 after the war broke out. He became judge advocate of the Rhode Island militia and was 32 at the time of his death at the first Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861.
When he died, his wife was 24. She later moved to New Jersey to live out her life with her son, William, and never re-married. She died at age 80 in 1917.
Sullivan and Sarah Ballou are buried next to each other at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI. There are no known living descendants.
Ironically, Sullivan Ballou’s letter was never mailed. Although Sarah would receive other, decidedly more upbeat letters, dated after the now-famous letter from the battlefield, the letter in question would be found among Sullivan Ballou’s effects when Gov. William Sprague of Rhode Island traveled to Virginia to retrieve the remains of his state’s sons who had fallen in battle
Wow...I'm right in the middle of the Ken Burns documentary!!!
ping
Mr Foote was a great historian and novelist. At 88 years of age, he did have a good run. May he finally meet Grant, Lee Lincoln, Davis, Bedford Forrest and all the others and rest in peace.
Aw man.
His three volume history of the Civil War is the definitive work on the subject, IMHO. A must read for every citizen.
Three volumes for three thousand words! Those words musta been of prodigious length!
A very good writer. Rest in peace.
Advance the flag of Dixie! Hurrah! Hurrah!
In Dixie's land we take our stand, and live or die for Dixie!
To arms! To arms! And conquer peace for Dixie!
To arms! To arms! And conquer peace for Dixie
Hear the Northern thunders mutter!
Northern flags in South winds flutter!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Send them back your fierce defiance!
Stamp upon the cursed alliance!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Chorus:
Fear no danger! Shun no labor!
Lift up rifle, pike, and saber!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Shoulder pressing close to shoulder,
Let the odds make each heart bolder!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Chorus
How the South's great heart rejoices
At your cannon's ringing voices!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
For faith betrayed and pledges broken,
Wrongs inflicted, insults spoken,
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Chorus
Strong as lions, swift as eagles,
Back to their kennels hunt these beagles!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Cut the unequal bonds asunder!
Let them hence each other plunder!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Chorus
Swear upon your country's altar
Never to submit or falter--
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Till the spoilers are defeated,
Till the Lord's work is completed!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Chorus
Halt not till our Federation
Secures among earth's powers its station!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Then at peace and crowned with glory,
Hear your children tell the story!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Chorus
If the loved ones weep in sadness,
Victory soon shall bring them gladness--
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Exultant pride soon vanish sorrow;
Smiles chase tears away to-morrow!
To arms! To arms! To arms, in Dixie!
Chorus
Deo Vendice
Requiscat in Pacem, fellow Patriot... our time here is tragically short, yet you reached many minds with your unique gift. See you on the other side.
I have never ead any of his books, that's a shame, I will have to do that.
Always glad to see another Catton fan. "A Stillness at Appomattox" is so good it gives me goose-bumps.
I made my way through Shelby Foote's trilogy once, and I doubt I'll ever re-read it, but I go back to Catton time and again. I do love Shelby Foote's novel "Chickamauga." though...and his shorter Civil War books like "Stars in Their Courses: The Gettysburg Campaign."
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