Comments on: It’s A Book Giveaway!

By: Kevin D. McCann

Kevin D. McCann — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:14:25 +0000

Kevin,

Thanks for offering this book giveaway. I keep your blog bookmarked and read it regularly for the lively discussions and comments on topics such as black Confederates and the State of Jones. Keep up the good work!

By: Laura Lawfer

Laura Lawfer — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:11:32 +0000

As a public historian at a quasi-Civil War site (RE Lee was born here, but not much else happened at Stratford during the Civil War!), I encounter issues with Civil War memory quite often. I enjoy reading your blog because you have very good insight and help me think about what I do and how to deal with touchy issues when a visitor asks me questions. Your blog also helps me keep up on the current scholarly works out there–like most people, I don't have much extra time to read all of these books myself!

By: Beth Parnicza

Beth Parnicza — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:41:34 +0000

As an aspiring public historian and a student at West Virginia University, I found myself constantly looking for Civil War material. A little more than a year ago, Dr. Peter Carmichael (of black Confederate and other fame) recommended that I participate in a book discussion on this blog. While exploring the site, I realized that I had found a truly engaging and fascinating resource which I now visit daily. Kevin Levin's posts constantly force me to consider different perspectives, and they keep me up to date on topics of debate in the Civil War community. I am always looking for ways to provide the public with different perspectives on the Civil War and to inspire the kind of curiosity I possess for history, and the discourse on this site shows me different ways to approach many topics, particularly where strong opinions may already exist. Public perceptions (and misconceptions) meet academic ideas on this blog, and the resulting interaction is quite interesting. I also enjoy noting how each individual states his or her opinion and then defends it.

By: pch

pch — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:47:49 +0000

I'm a processing archivist in a Midwest University special collections library who has to research and write about minor players in the civil war everyday. I read this blog to keep up with how history is taught and used and to learn about current scholarship and discourse. It is hard to write finding aids if you don't know how they might be used.
great blog!

By: Lizzie

Lizzie — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:54:43 +0000

Why do I read your blog? BECAUSE IT'S THE BEST ONE OUT THERE!
)
ps- I already own Dr. Gallagher's book(s)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

By: jamijamesg

jamijamesg — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:36 +0000

I learned of your blog from my professor in an upper level college course about the Civil War. I am on a small college campus and don't have the pleasure of peers who are interested in the Civil War and slavery. Your blog keeps me informed and at times entertained…thanks!

By: Sherree

Sherree — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:11:30 +0000

Tom,

This is a wonderful comment. Thank you for making it. I have often wondered who those eight hundred to one thousand people a day who view Kevin's site are. Nice to know you are out there. Sherree

By: woodrowfan

woodrowfan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:30:29 +0000

Why do I read CWM? Because as a history professor whose specialty is in another era, I learn a lot that I can pass onto my students as well as for my own enrichment as a historian….

By: davidsilkenat

davidsilkenat — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:36:56 +0000

I read Civil War Memory for three reasons. First, I think it is one of the best sources on the web for popular and academic news about the Civil War. Second, as a former high school teacher and someone who now trains people to be high school teachers, I appreciate how Kevin talks about his passion for teaching. Third, I find the comments on Kevin's posts to be fascinating, as the site attracts both academics and Civil War enthusiasts.

Happy 4th Birthday. I'm looking forward to many more years of posts.

By: acwresearcher

acwresearcher — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:12:30 +0000

Kevin-

Congrats on keeping this thing going strong for four years. I can't even begin to understand how you keep it up, but I'm glad you do.

I found Kevin's blog in the spring of 2007 as I prepared to take a Gilder Lehrman Summer Seminar for Teachers hosted at UVa and taught by Professor Gallagher. Kevin has been patient with a "reformed Confederate apologist" and has helped me refine my studies of the war, its aftermath and its memory. He has been gracious enough to respond to comments from a group of my middle school students and encouraged my own delve into teaching the Civil War at a level that is often overlooked: to seventh and eighth graders.

All of these things keep me coming back. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we agree to disagree, sometimes I go write my own blog post! At any rate, I have found Kevin to be a respectful host, even when we do not agree.

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:49:32 +0000

Kevin, where else am I going to get the PC version of that little disagreement some of our states had back in the 1860s?

By: ginny snowden

ginny snowden — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:39:49 +0000

i too found your site while searching for information on the upcoming sesquicenteenial. i schedule adult programming for a public library in VA & the book you are featuring for a give-a-way caught my interest. you have a informative site and i plan to visit it again. thanks for sharing your information.