Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

[ACo.]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

All of the historians mentioned are excellent but I have to add mention of my favorite, John Heatwole, author of "The Burning", the only complete history of the burning of the Shenandoah Valley by Sheridan's troops in 1864. Sadly, John passed away the day before Thanksgiving this year and his knowledge and expertise of the history of the Civil War, in particular the events in the Valley, will be missed. He was also an acknowledged expert in the history and folklore of the Shenandoah Valley from the earliest days of its settlement. As a tour guide he showed many people with an interest in history the places that they wanted to see through the eyes of one who knew the story intimately. John was also a woodcarver with a worldwide reputation and an advocate of Valley historical preservation. He was a friend to all and shared his knowledge and sense of humor freely for the betterment of all.

http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=7474&CHID=1

Thanks for the opportunity to share this information about my friend, he will be missed.

[JacobReichwein]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

I've also met Gordon C. Rhea, he did the Wilderness tour a few months ago.

So I'd have to go with him.

[westcoastcampaigner]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

Without question the late Brian C. Pohanka. He was amazing to listen to just in small talk. I was lucky enough to get to know him on a somewhat personal level. He was always willing to listen and set aside his research to help you with yours. He personally took time out of his day to go to the National Archieves to obtain information for my stepfather who is writing a battery history on Thompson's Battery C. He was unable to readily get to the the archieves and Brian graciously volunteered his time and efforts. The Civil War community will never find another guy like him. He was an amazing guy and is truly missed.

Josh Sawyer
Liberty Rifles

[laudable_pus]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

I'll break the mold here and go with John Hennessy, author of "Return to Bull Run" and current Chief Historian at F&SNMP. Not as "high profile" as the others mentioned about, but if you visit Fredericksburg and have an opportunity to listen to one of his talks you don't want to miss it.

[dusty27]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

Folks, obviously this is a subjective question and one that can go on and on.

I see it differently than the "Favorite General" thread that I removed yesterday in that the folks responding, in most cases, have first hand experience with their "favorite" historian, through face to face interaction.

Leaving it open right now, but can we move on to "deeper" questions?

[Rear Guard]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

Brian Pohanka had a way of making his story telling very personal........always liked him.
Shelby Foote too.

[Chihuahua]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

I'd like to award an "honorable mention" to Michael Gooch. I know he's not as famous as others that have been mentioned, but if you're looking for an absolutely compelling expert and speaker on Missouri Border War Weapons & Tactics, there's simply none better.
For several years, I took my Civil War class to the James Farm at Liberty, MO to hear him. They loved him. He's a class act, and it's a crying shame he has retired from doing such presentations.
Mark Warren
Hairy Nation
Bloomfield, Iowa

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

Gorden Cotton...Old Court House, Vicksburg

[DJCasey]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

As far as a good read goes, I can't put down Stephen Sears' books. He gives the best "overall" picture of a battle of any authors I've read. Excellent maps in his books help, too. He combines the overall picture with personal accounts very effectively, which really brings me into the event.

[missourirelics]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

Ed Bearss
Gordon Rhea
William C. Davis (some stuff)
Brian Pohanka

I have met both Ed and Brian Pohanka

By far Ed Bearss of the group.

Paul Arnold
BGR Commissary

[lawson]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

I gotta agree with Hog Man. Ed has that intensity that keeps you sucked into every word.

[TKlas]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

Hi gents,

I would definatley say Ed Bearss is at the top of my list for sure with the late Bruce Catton a second. Catton's body of work is tremendous that keep you glued to every page and who dose not get excited when Ed Bearss is on a battlefield giving a tour. I still love watching the old Smithsonian Tape Series on the Great Battles of the Civil War where Ed is the cheif author/historian of the series.

And I tip my dress hat to Mr. Alan Nolan whose groundbreaking work The Iron Brigade set the stage for greater study into the Western Brigade that served out east. I had the pleasure to hear Nolan at a presentation years ago and he was very compelling and you see Alan appear every now and then on a Civil War production. My fine comrade/historian/author Lance Herdegen is my darkhorse on the list as his books on the Iron Brigade are some of the most personal soldier stories out there. I am sure many of you relish the treasure trove in the William Ray edit as well. If you have not been on a battlefield with Lance telling the stories of these men from the Old Northwest, you are missing out.

Overall, I vote for Ed!

[Fenianboy]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

Bearss and Pohanka are in a class of their own....icons if you will.I own everything Lance Herdegen has written and enjoy his style. But my favorite is my friend/hunting buddy/fellow N-SSA Skirmisher, Joe Bilby. Bud Scully 13th NJ and 69th NY:

[Wretch_1]

Re: Favorite High-Profile CW Historian

Mr. Foote



Brian Harmon
Wretched Mess
Texas Ground Hornets