Following an exhausting seven hour drive from Gettysburg I returned home to find my author copies waiting at the door. I actually saw the book for the first time at CWI, where I was able to sign a number of copies for some of the participants and close friends. It made the entire trip that much more enjoyable. I have so many people to thank, which I do in the Acknowledgments section, but let me include one paragraph that is meant for all of you.
A good deal of the material contained in this book was first introduced on my Weblog, Civil War Memory, which I began in November 2005. The site has given me the opportunity to test new ideas with a core group of loyal readers who bring a wealth of knowledge and perspective to my work. Rarely did a day go by that I did not receive a blog comment or private e-mail that included sound criticism or pointed me in the direction of new sources. My readers not only helped to further my understanding of the Crater, they enriched my understanding of some of the central issues surrounding how Americans have chosen to remember the Civil War. There are too many people to thank by name and the vast majority I have never met in person, but I hope they will embrace this book as a token of my gratitude.
The book should be officially released within the next ten days. Thanks once again to all of you, who have traveled this road with me. Now it is time to celebrate with the most important person in my life.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats Kevin. Looking forward to the read.
Thanks, Rob.
Congratulations!
Thanks, Ralph.
Congrats, Kevin!
Thanks, Andy.
I was going to get you to sign mine, Kevin, and I had left it home inadvertently. Oh well, next time. I’m looking forward to reading it.
It was really nice meeting you in Gettysburg. Thoughtful participants such as yourself add a great deal to these gatherings. Hope you enjoy the book and thanks so much for the support.
Very exciting time for all of us who follow your excellent blog.
Thanks, Pat.
Congratulations, Kevin!
Thanks, Harry. I hope you get your review copy soon.
Congrats, Kevin. Sort of like a baby being born, isn’t it?
It really is a nice feeling.
Through the first 30 pages…great read!!! Looking forward to reading more. Can’t wait for the sequel!!!
Awesome. Thanks, John.
Congrats! I’m waiting to see if my hardback copy arrives on the publication date or if I get the Kindle version first.
Thanks, Margaret. Sorry we weren’t able to meet up in Gettysburg this past week, but the conference left me with very little time.
I suspected as much. We’ll manage it another time.
My wife is gonna kill me—another book to buy …
Make sure you click through the Kentucky icon in the right sidebar for the 40% coupon. Hope it’s worth it.
Congratulations, Kevin. I look forward to reading it.
Thanks, Matt.
Congratulations, Kevin! It was mention of your research for the book that first brought me to your blog, of which I have become an avid reader (it’s one of my daily “essentials”). I’m am so very much looking forward to reading the book. My g-g-g-grandfather survived that battle and I’m sure that your work will be invaluable in helping me to understand the time, place and context within which he and his brothers (also USCT) found themselves.
Hi Michael,
Given your family’s connection to the battle I do hope that it gives you a different perspective on what took place, how it was remembered and why it is important that we remember it.
Kevin,
A hearty congratulations!!!!
I have asked my wife for it for our anniversary on Monday. If she does not manage to fulfill that wish I will hit up Amazon and order myself…..and then I will send you a photo of me standing at The Crater holding your book (I work 1 mile from it!)
Can’t wait,
Buck
…I will send you a photo of me standing at The Crater holding your book (I work 1 mile from it!)
That will be very cool.
Kevin – Congrats! It’s almost like holding your newborn child for the first time, right?
I look forward to seeing you online at the upcoming Virtual Book Signing and getting my copy then.
Cheers, Paul
Thanks, Paul. Very much looking forward to VBS.
Okay, so when is the next one coming out? Enough of this resting on one’s laurels…
Seriously, well done. I will order at my local independent and take it on vacation…
Best,
Thanks.
Belated congratulations Kevin.
Regards,
Brad
Congratulations!
This is interesting. Looking at the Amazon listing, it says that buyers of your book also bought books by. . .
Edwin C. Bearss
Joseph T. Glatthaar
Earl J. Hess
Gary W. Gallagher
Brian Matthew Jordan
William C. Davis
Jack Hurst
Glenn David Brasher
That’s some impressive company, Kevin. Not as impressive as Tom DiLorenzo and the Kennedy Brothers, of course, but still. . . .
I think it’s going to be fun to read all of the Amazon reviews from my friends.
Congrats, Kevin. 17 books later, there’s still no memory that will ever compete with the first time that I got to see my first book in print. Now you’ve experienced that sense of wonderment too. I hope that moment sticks with you as it has with me.
Thanks, Eric.
Got my copy in the mail today. Absolutely no references to “Black Confederates” in the index!!!!!
Looking forward to reading it….
Hope I didn’t disappoint you. Glad to hear it is shipping. Where did you order it from?
I used the UK Press link you provided earlier….
The photo of Pvt Martin on page 22 (yes, i started looking at the illustrations) is startling…