I am taking this opportunity to announce a new book hitting the market right now; I am also taking this opportunity to say that I am ducking for cover and going into hiding when certain "traditional" historians catch wind of it.

Wild Bill and his wing man, Rick Smith, have compiled The Last Shot, a 169-page book of ten essays related to Civil War politics, various segments on the Lincoln assassination, and political studies on the effects of Republicanism, Reconstruction, and assorted other items that have taken our country from a coalition of states to a central form of government closely related to an empire.

Yes, we will be selling it through the Surratt House gift shop, but we have not yet negotiated a wholesale price (therefore a retail figure) with the publisher. The authors will also be signing copies of the book at the Surratt Conference in April. (And we may have to install bullet-proof glass around their table!)

I shall crack open the pages this weekend and decide whether or not such protection will be necessary. So far, the title for the preface has made me a believer: History is Written by Those Who Have Hanged the Heroes. Credited to a voice-over by Robert the Bruce from the opening of Mel Gibson's great Braveheart.

(01-15-2016 06:19 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I am taking this opportunity to announce a new book hitting the market right now; I am also taking this opportunity to say that I am ducking for cover and going into hiding when certain "traditional" historians catch wind of it.

Wild Bill and his wing man, Rick Smith, have compiled The Last Shot, a 169-page book of ten essays related to Civil War politics, various segments on the Lincoln assassination, and political studies on the effects of Republicanism, Reconstruction, and assorted other items that have taken our country from a coalition of states to a central form of government closely related to an empire.

Yes, we will be selling it through the Surratt House gift shop, but we have not yet negotiated a wholesale price (therefore a retail figure) with the publisher. The authors will also be signing copies of the book at the Surratt Conference in April. (And we may have to install bullet-proof glass around their table!)

I shall crack open the pages this weekend and decide whether or not such protection will be necessary. So far, the title for the preface has made me a believer: History is Written by Those Who Have Hanged the Heroes. Credited to a voice-over by Robert the Bruce from the opening of Mel Gibson's great Braveheart.

Thank you, Laurie, for your very kind comments. It is always a fine thing to have your favor.

Rick

If you can't wait until the Surratt House has it in their gift shop, you can purchase a copy here

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last...1627873550

(01-19-2016 10:16 AM)Gene C Wrote:  If you can't wait until the Surratt House has it in their gift shop, you can purchase a copy here

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last...1627873550

Thank you, Gene.

Rick

Joe Beckert and I just received our copies of The Last Shot. Thanks very much Bill.

I'm on chapter 3 and haven't had occasion to fuss with Bill yet! Everyone needs to read his first chapter about the evolution of Booth's political standings.

I checked the mailbox today and it's not in yet, son...

Judging from the outline I saw, this will be a book, like all of Bill's other books and posts here on the forum, that makes you think. Some in ways they never have, because all the fluff and hero worship is put aside. Looking forward to it.

(01-22-2016 06:29 PM)J. Beckert Wrote:  I checked the mailbox today and it's not in yet, son...

Judging from the outline I saw, this will be a book, like all of Bill's other books and posts here on the forum, that makes you think. Some in ways they never have, because all the fluff and hero worship is put aside. Looking forward to it.

Well said, son. Don't know why that book hasn't reached you yet. I paid double the usual fee to the mule teamster.

They're probably waiting until it's safe to row it across the Potomac.

Agreed. The Confederacy had much better mail service, despite Yankee occupation and having to dodge patrol boats. Thanks, Dr. Mudd and others.

Does the title refer to the assassination, or Edmund Ruffin?

(01-23-2016 01:14 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  Does the title refer to the assassination, or Edmund Ruffin?

Good question, Jim. That would be a good title for a biography of Edmund Ruffin. This one is about the assassination.

(01-23-2016 01:14 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  Does the title refer to the assassination, or Edmund Ruffin?

I'm heading into the chapter on George Sanders now, and I'm detecting a little personal comment in Bill's choice of that title - The Last Shot. I'm suspecting that HE is taking a last shot at educating the readers to various overlooked or ignored aspects of the years leading up to and away from the Civil War since we/they haven't been listening (or haven't paid attention) to historians on both sides of the issue.

(01-24-2016 06:44 PM)L Verge Wrote:  

(01-23-2016 01:14 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  Does the title refer to the assassination, or Edmund Ruffin?

I'm heading into the chapter on George Sanders now, and I'm detecting a little personal comment in Bill's choice of that title - The Last Shot. I'm suspecting that HE is taking a last shot at educating the readers to various overlooked or ignored aspects of the years leading up to and away from the Civil War since we/they haven't been listening (or haven't paid attention) to historians on both sides of the issue.

Good point, Laurie. As you know, George Sanders was very instrumental, along with Sanford Conover and some others, in shaping the way future generations would view the Lincoln assassination.

I think George Sanders would be a very interesting person to have a chat with, but frankly, I would likely duck my head and walk on the opposite side of the street if I were to meet him. Appearances did make the man in those days.