Civil War authority Shelby Foote dead

AP via CNN.com ^ | 28 June 2005 | Unattributed

[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.

[LilDarlin]

Now this is a real loss. A mind like that and the ability to put words to paper come along far too rarely.

Rest in peace, good sir. You've earned it.

[Bombardier]

When did Brian die??????? Damn....this week is sucking more and more all the time......

[Steelerfan]

Enjoyed his work tremendously. He will be missed.

[The Citizen Soldier]

His 3-book history of the Civil War is a must-read for anybody serious about history.

I have two copies of his three-part history (one for reading, one for the bookshelf), and the MP3 version, which I believe runs about 160 hours.

Certainly my favorite Civil War historian.

RIP

[Tax-chick]

Couple of weeks ago?

[Ditto]

Interesting Interview with Shelby Foote.

[ravinson]

I've read his trilogy over and over again, and found only one error, where he puts Spencer carbines in the hands of John Buford's troops as they held off Ewell's corps west of town. Buford's guys carried mostly Sharps carbines. The Spencer carbine didn't get in the hands of the troops until the following October.

There has certainly been a lot of confusion about whether Buford's men had single shot carbines or Spencer repeating rifles (as I learned in researching my ancestors' 8th IL Cav). It's too bad Foote never cleared it up in later printings or speeches.

Nevertheless, his writing and speaking style was superb, and the fact that he spent 20 years researching and writing his three volume narrative is impressive.

[Bombardier]

Damn.....I was in line of battle a couple times with his 5th NY Zouaves. Man, this week is just getting better and better..... /sarc

[teacherwoes]

"..we have death so constantly before our eyes that it loses it terrors, and the question with us is not so much whether we shall die or not, but how we shall die and among what surroundings."

Capt. William Wheeler, 13th NY Light Artillery
Sept. 5, 1863, Catlett's Station, VA
killed in action June 22, 1864 at Kolb's Farm, GA

so long Mr. Foote.

[Tax-chick]

I'm so sorry for your loss ... much more personal for you than for those of us who've only seen a person on television.

[Bombardier]

Reenacting is a small world. Some of the people I met and came to call friends have been fairly well known. But Brian as well.....dang.....

[Ditto]

I always found it somewhat rude to approach someone famous and take their photograph or autography

I agree. I have met a number of "famous" people and have never once asked for an autograph. I do think it rude, and also I really have no interest in having their signature on a sheet of paper (with the exception of perhaps a blank check. ;~)).

But if I ever had the pleasure of meeting Foote, and if I had one of his books at hand, I probably would have been tempted to ask him to sign.

[Tax-chick]

I'm very sorry.

[Braak]

Amen to that, first Brian Pohanka, and now Mr. Foote. It's a tough time to be in the Civil War historical community.

[Graymatter]

I wore out several editions of his books. RIP, old companion of my gray matter.

[ladtx]

I had not heard that Brian Pohanka died. You are right, it is a tough time for the Civil War historical community.

[mware]

I do have some signed copies of books, but always obtained them at book signings. The only autograph I have is of Dr. Jonas Salk, and that hangs on the hall of my study.

[ariamne]

I don't know that he thought the wrong side won the war, but unlike some of the other historians on the Burns piece, with their clear northern bias, he showed reverence and respect for the men on both sides. I remember him saying he admired most Lincoln, Lee, and Nathan B. Forrest (not necessarily in that order!)

A truly wonderful American..we need more like him.

[billnaz]

Some of the confusion might come from the fact that members of Custer's Michigan Brigade on the eastern side of the battlefield carried Spencer repeating rifles, or so I've heard.

Hats off to your brave ancestors in the 8th Illinois Cavalry. I understand that a few of my ancestors were in Ewell's corps opposing them.

[muleskinner]

His appearance in the PBS documentary was one of the highlights of that production. Mr. Foote's audio book "Stars in Their Courses", is superb.

Thank you, Mr. Foote