|
|
Post by mpcavanaugh on Jan 9, 2006 0:32:56 GMT -5
Kerry Trask a prof. at UW Manitowoc recently published a book on the Black Hawk War titled "Black Hawk: The Battle for the Heart of America." I don't know anything more about it other then what the below article says but I thought I'd let everybody know there is another book out on our local conflict. I didn't go to meet the author, instead I'm waiting for a copy to come to the Manitowoc Public Library. www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060108/MAN04/601080421/1398/MANlife Mike |
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Jan 9, 2006 8:11:06 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Larry Koschkee on Jan 9, 2006 14:51:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by mpcavanaugh on Jan 10, 2006 1:23:42 GMT -5
Not a problem, I'm just trying to do my part to let people know there is another book out there on Black Hawk and hopefully its a good. ;D
On a different note Bob will you have a table at Oshkosh again this year?
Mike
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Jan 10, 2006 8:10:19 GMT -5
Mike... yes. I just got word from my chum Brian Bradley that we are set for our OLRHS booth at Oshkosh for the end of February.
Rich Worthington, a contributor to this board, has kindly offerted his services and resources for our table. Based on his ideas, this may well be our best Trade Faire presentation ever!
Bob.
|
|
|
|
Post by DJ Palama on Jan 10, 2006 21:49:03 GMT -5
What dates are those? I keep wanting to head up to the Oshkosh fair, but always miss the exact dates.
|
|
|
|
Post by mpcavanaugh on Jan 11, 2006 0:12:35 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Jan 12, 2006 8:27:18 GMT -5
Mike... if you need a "home" at the trade fair, you are welcome to hang out at our booth.
In any case, I very much look forward to seeing you!
Best,
Bob.
|
|
|
|
Post by DJ Palama on Jan 17, 2006 23:47:34 GMT -5
What dates are those? I keep wanting to head up to the Oshkosh fair, but always miss the exact dates. Thanks Mike, if I can make it I'm the guy walking around in the 1830s navy uniform. |
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Jan 18, 2006 8:49:05 GMT -5
I received a copy of Black Hawk: The Battle for the Heart of America yesterday. Clearly, I have not had time to read it comprehensively. I can give you some of my initial impressions-- based on a series of "litmus tests" that I have devised over the years. (I reserve the right to change, alter or modify these impressions, in whole or in part, at any time, with or without notice!)  1. This book appears to follow the predictable trend of products of professional academia-- which this far has been incapable of producing a work that rigorously assesses its #1 primary source for the BHW, being Black Hawk's Autobiography. In point of fact, I will state that professional academia will never do so... and not for reasons of clarity, accuracy, or context. No professor or investigator would be able to survive the emotional and politically-charged firestorn that would erupt as a result. (So much for "open thinking" on today's college campuses.) 2. This being said, I (thus far) regard Dr. Trask's work as an order of magnitude better than other similar works that cover the conflict (Dr. Cecil Eby suddenly springs to mind.) He consulted MANY sources, he actually USED them, and weaves them together in an interesting way. Dr. Trask provides more balance and more fairness in his examinations than the bulk of his predecessors. Based on my cursory examination... if Dr. Trasks' goal was to update or even supplant the general histories of the man and the war generated since the 1970's-- he may well have done it. 3. The book does have some flaws. Two I noticed early on was Dr. Trask's description of the initial late-1820s "Dodge's Camp"-- which he claimed was a huge fort that encompassed 20 miner's homes and was garrisoned with 130 "well armed" men.  (Exactly HOW he came to this conclusion is not explained. He quoted from the Salina Dodge recollection, so he doubtless had access to other information on the locale and the situation at "Dodge's Camp" ca. 1828-30) The other was a mention of Dodge's "New England" upbringing-- a comment that is laughable on its face. 4. One of the absolutely stunning developments is an ENTIRE CHAPTER essentially devoted to Col. Henry Dodge. Now I don't agree with all of Dr. Trask's observations and conclusions... but be forwarned that he ACTUALLY used the " H" word in conjunction with Dodge. Now that ought to make the critics howl! More later.... Bob. |
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Jan 18, 2006 11:23:41 GMT -5
DJ... you are more than welcome to swing by our booth as well! Just look for the "Old Lead Region Hisotrical Society" table sign!
Best,
Bob.
Postscript... I'm pretty sure I've never seen an 1830s naval uniform.
|
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Jan 18, 2006 11:49:36 GMT -5
Larry, and all... I checked out this website and was most interested in the Kirkus Reviews mention in the reviews segment of the page. Kirkus, as you know, is one of a quartet of rigorous reviewers of books, etc. for the publishing, seller and library trade-- they review books before the "big bug" reviews get their mitts on them. Apparently, Kirkus departed from its previous practies and circa September 2004 started charging authors for the firm to review their books. One wonders what kind of a review one would get when you have to PAY for it. This of course, was what newpapers like the Christan Science Monitor thought www.csmonitor.com/2004/0927/p12s01-bogn.html I checked the Kirkus website. It indicated that Dr. Trask's review quoted on this page came on November 1, 2005. I am not implying anything... I merely note the chronology of events. More on Kirkus Review of this book in another thread... Bob. |
|
|
|
Post by DJ Palama on Jan 18, 2006 23:32:22 GMT -5
Will do so, the frock (aka the jumper) looks kind of like a large 1970s style neck, blue pants, so many different styles of hats to descirbe..... I got it from Ron Patterson when I bought my ACW sailor uniform from him. Here's one of the few pictures of the uniform circa 1838:  The Texan navy and even professional sailors also tended to wear similar outfits, in various patterns of the 'sailor's collar'. |
|
|
|
Post by Robert Braun on Jan 19, 2006 7:54:50 GMT -5
DJ--- most interesting!
Thanks for sharing!
Bob.
|
|
|
|
Post by DJ Palama on Jan 19, 2006 23:37:45 GMT -5
I'm hoping that I can find out some more info. on the people that served on the steamers that were used in the BHW. I would have to assume that at least some of the men had exprience on boats. I would really like to know what they wore. At least in the East a lot of merchant sailors wore the same uniforms of the Federal Navy, but I don't know that would hold true to sailors on froniter waters.
|
|
(Exactly HOW he came to this conclusion is not explained. He quoted from the Salina Dodge recollection, so he doubtless had access to other information on the locale and the situation at "Dodge's Camp" ca. 1828-30) The other was a mention of Dodge's "New England" upbringing-- a comment that is laughable on its face.