Disarmed A gun-hating historian comes under heavy fire.

NRO | October 4, 2001 | John J. Miller & Ramesh Ponnuru

[LavaDog]

NR's Melissa Seckora had the misfortune of seeing an important piece debut on National Review Online on the morning of September 11. Her story exposing the phony sources behind Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture, an award-winning book critical of U.S. gun culture by Emory University historian Michael Bellesiles, normally would have attracted a great deal of attention. Instead, it became a minor concern as we all came to grips with the horror of mass terrorism.

Now there's been a stunning new development in the Bellesiles case: The head of Emory's history department is demanding that Bellesiles write a detailed defense of his book. "What is important is that he defend himself and the integrity of his scholarship immediately," said James Melton, according to yesterday's Boston Globe, which also printed a September 11 story on Bellesiles airing charges similar to NR's. "Depending upon his response, the university will respond appropriately."

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement of a colleague. And it gets worse: "If there is prima facie evidence of scholarly misconduct, the university has to conduct a thorough investigation. Whether it be a purely internal inquiry, or the university brings in distinguished scholars in the field, will depend on how Michael responds," said Melton.

Seckora, in fact, interviewed some of the "distinguished scholars" any such effort is likely to involve — including a few recommended to her by Bellesiles. Let's just say he doesn't fare well in their estimation. But how could he? Key sources for his claim that guns were a much less important part of early American culture than is commonly believed simply don't exist. Many of those he cites, in fact, were destroyed in San Francisco's 1906 earthquake. There's not a historian alive who's seen them.

Bellesiles now must explain how they wound up in his footnotes — and he told the Globe he'll do it in a future newsletter published by the Organization of American Historians.

He has his work cut out for him, thanks in part to the intrepid reporting of Seckora, whose article may be read here, or in the October 15, 2001, issue of National Review.

[harpseal]

bang

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

BTTT

[ScreamingFist]

Hehe. And his next "historic" book - Clymer lies, Clymer Gets Caught.

[lavaroise]

bump!

[George Smiley]

bellicism, bel·li·cism (n) - A statement containing falsehoods with respect to the extent of civilian possession of firearms in early America.

See also Bellesiles, Michael.

[monkeyshine]

Sloppy scholarship by university faculty is what has bred these sloppy journalists all over today's media. It's high time the universities start taking their codes of conduct and scholarship seriously.

[freedomcrusader]

The only problem is that all that remains of those codes is how to be 'sensitive' and 'diverse.' Other than that, you can pretty much do anything academically.

[Physicist]

One raw data point, from my 4th great grandfather, a Revolutionary War veteran:

From the appraisement of the estate of Valentine Sterner, yeoman, dec'd, late of Longswamp Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1797:

To a Smooth Riffle Ballmould and two Powder horns, 1£ 15s 0d.

(Original on file at the Berks County Register of Wills, Reading, PA.)

[GVnana]

As a former history major I can tell you, the falsifying of sources is the highest crime in the study of history. If the story proves out, this guy deserves to be canned immediately.

Got a link?

[madison46]

This guy has been getting slammed around pretty good. Emory better make him support his research (other than a flood ruined my post it notes-yes I'm serious - that's what he claims) This is great. Wonder what those poeple in NY who gave him that big literary prize will do?

[ChiefsMan]

C'mon folks, let's not rush to judgement. It's not important that he made stuff up. What matters is the point he's trying to make. You know, that all guns should be outlawed.

[Deb]

This is great. At last he's being made to defend his lying book. I can't wait.

[madison46]

He's a liar

[steve-b]

LOL! "The dog ate my homework..."

[RikaStrom]

Seckora, in fact, interviewed some of the "distinguished scholars" any such effort is likely to involve — including a few recommended to her by Bellesiles. Let's just say he doesn't fare well in their estimation. But how could he? Key sources for his claim that guns were a much less important part of early American culture than is commonly believed simply don't exist. Many of those he cites, in fact, were destroyed in San Francisco's 1906 earthquake. There's not a historian alive who's seen them.

I would like to hear this explanation.

Nice follow-up BUMP

[VadeRetro]

Bellesiles now must explain how they [documents known destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco quake] wound up in his footnotes — and he told the Globe he'll do it in a future newsletter published by the Organization of American Historians.

That newsletter issue is expected to announce the founding of the Psychic's Chapter of the Organization of American Historians.

[wjcsux]

This is great! I hope this becomes a trend!