Member Review Shelby Foote

[TallTallMan]

Mr. Foote's novel "September, September" was made into the movie "Memphis" in 1992, starring Cybil Sheppard.

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Regarding the War itself, Mr. Foote was generally consistent with his views. From an interview with the Birmingham (AL) News, 1977;

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I had no idea it was ever made into a movie.

 

[edfranksphd]

I did'nt know about the subtle differences. I always thought that he was fair to both sides. One can feel the sympathy to the " Jonny ( written correct? ) Rebs " when he was talking about them, the same when he's talking about " Billy Yanks ", at least that was my impression.
The same feeling I have by listening to James Robertson jr.

Yes, I agree that Shelby Foote was balanced in his war reporting, probably the most balanced of any historian in history thus far to write on the history of the ACW, North & South. In fact, the more I read him & hear him and after learning more about his own biography, gleaned from Wikipedia and other sources, the more convinced I am about his "balance." And I agree as well that Robertson comes in as a close second in this debate, tho I've not studied his early life, so I've no basis for drawing any conclusions about his early biases in life. I should probably check this out next! : )

 

[gc45]

Foote was great!

 

[G Low]

Foote was great!

He gave opinions didn't dog out the south and thought Forrest to be a military Genius, he checked all the boxes for me. Good Man

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

I knew Shelby Foote and love his trilogy.
But as a Southerner, I must say that some of his statements are wrong. It's not just you Yankees.
But, as has been said often on CWT, he is a storyteller, not an academic historian.
Where are the footnotes?

I like Shelby Foote's works. They are for the most part (98% or so) accurate, and You hit the nail on the head - my only negative opinion about Foote is that he did not use footnotes.

 

[G Low]

I like Shelby Foote's works. They are for the most part (98% or so) accurate, and You hit the nail on the head - my only negative opinion about Foote is that he did not use footnotes.

How boring would he be bringing up footnotes up every other sentence. Take him for what he was A good story seller and entertainer . I could listen for hours..

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

You are right to like Shelby Foote, as I also do. An author does not have to use footnotes for facts and opinions that are public knowledge and well established in the "Public Domain." Thus, he would only have needed to use footnotes for hard to find facts, stated opinions of others, etc.

 

[Booklady]

Nope.
Not at all.

Shelby Foote was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta.
As with many of our folks from the Delta, as an adult ... he later stepped across the state line into neighboring Memphis,Tennessee.

Both areas are not even remotely "infamous border regions".

I heard he had a house at one time in Vicksburg. Ed Bearss was there, too, (wasn't he?), but perhaps not at the same time.

 

[G Low]

I heard he had a house at one time in Vicksburg. Ed Bearss was there, too, (wasn't he?), but perhaps not at the same time.

I believe I heard that he was a member of the SCV out of Memphis, I'm no historian but a good storyteller I think

 

[Booklady]

I believe I heard that he was a member of the SCV out of Memphis, I'm no historian but a good storyteller I think

Yes, he lived in Memphis, but spent some time in Vicksburg. Maybe this was while researching that part of his books.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I heard he had a house at one time in Vicksburg. Ed Bearss was there, too, (wasn't he?), but perhaps not at the same time.

I don't know if Mr. Foote ever owned a home in Vicksburg or not.
However, I wouldn't be surprised if he did.

As Ed Bearss was a "top official" at the Vicksburg National Military Park, he did own a home in Vicksburg for decades.
I believe the Bearss family moved to Virginia during the 1990's.

I think there is no doubt that Foote & Bearss knew each other, but I have no idea if they lived in Vicksburg at the same time.
Actually, I've never heard about Foote living anywhere other than Memphis or the Mississippi Delta. Perhaps Foote
had a "weekend house" in Vicksburg ?

 

[Booklady]

I don't know if Mr. Foote ever owned a home in Vicksburg or not.
However, I wouldn't be surprised if he did.

As Ed Bearss was a "top official" at the Vicksburg National Military Park, he did own a home in Vicksburg for decades.
I believe the Bearss family moved to Virginia during the 1990's.

I think there is no doubt that Foote & Bearss knew each other, but I have no idea if they lived in Vicksburg at the same time.
Actually, I've never heard about Foote living anywhere other than Memphis or the Mississippi Delta. Perhaps Foote
had a "weekend house" in Vicksburg ?

I have a vivid memory of being told he lived in a house on Speed Street, of all places. Of course Speed Street in those days would have been (shall we say) a bit calmer than it is today. Maybe I can find out.

 

[G Low]

I have a vivid memory of being told he lived in a house on Speed Street, of all places. Of course Speed Street in those days would have been (shall we say) a bit calmer than it is today. Maybe I can find out.

If anyone can find out, it's you Booklady

 

[Booklady]

Historian, storyteller Foote dies at Memphis home at 88|[6/29/05]

Southern storyteller and historian Shelby Foote has died at his home in Memphis. He was 88.

www.vicksburgpost.com

Got it! He lived at 801 Speed St with his parents during part of his childhood.

Edit: 801, not 802. How exciting! I haven't completely lost my memory.

 

[edfranksphd]

I kept thinking that I was far too much of a "scholar" to read a history book that was thoroughly researched, i.e., with footnotes, but everytime I would resolve to put his book down for good I'd pick it up again and keep reading, and I finally resolved that I would make an exception for Shelby and read his "narrative" anyway b/c it was so **** compelling, AND, I figured it'd be the best way for me to relatively quickly (took me 6 mths) get a good overview of the entire war, N vs S, E vs W, guerillas vs regulars, Navy vs Infantry, privateers vs Navy, etc. and I believe I made the right choice. I read it in 1987 and I believe I've likely retained a solid 90% of what he wrote, at least. I amaze myself sometimes that my recall is so good. I've never been famous for it before! : )

 

[edfranksphd]

He gave opinions didn't dog out the south and thought Forrest to be a military Genius, he checked all the boxes for me. Good Man

I kept thinking that I was far too much of a "scholar" to read a history book that was thoroughly researched, i.e., with footnotes, but everytime I would resolve to put his book down for good I'd pick it up again and keep reading, and I finally resolved that I would make an exception for Shelby and read his "narrative" anyway b/c it was so **** compelling, AND, I figured it'd be the best way for me to relatively quickly (took me 6 mths) get a good overview of the entire war, N vs S, E vs W, guerillas vs regulars, Navy vs Infantry, privateers vs Navy, etc. and I believe I made the right choice. I read it in 1987 and I believe I've likely retained a solid 90% of what he wrote, at least. I amaze myself sometimes that my recall is so good. I've never been famous for it before! : )

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Got it! He lived at 801 Speed St with his parents during part of his childhood.

Wow !
Thanks for the research.

I'm still willing to bet Foote and Bearss knew each other.
If not good friends ... those two must have been at least been acquaintances.

Of course Speed Street in those days would have been (shall we say) a bit calmer than it is today.

Gawd yes.

In addition to Speed Street, the same can be said about other parts of Vicksburg in 2024.

But overall, Vicksburg is still a safe and nice town to visit.

 

[RedRover]

Wow !
Thanks for the research.

I'm still willing to bet Foote and Bearss knew each other.
If not good friends ... those two must have been at least been acquaintances.

Foote and Bearss were both on the advisory board of the United States Civil War Center at the Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. No idea if they particularly met for this purpose. From 1996:

...

 

[Irishtom29]

As a narrative historian for regular guys I far prefer Bruce Catton to Foote. And Catton had footnotes. I think much of Foote's reputation is based on his being "as seen on TV". And I didn't care for that TV show anyway and if I never hear Ashokan Farewell again it's aces with me.

 

[G Low]

Bruce's 1 book in the trilogy "Never call Retreat" says it all …. Sad book if you're a southerner. As all books about the war between the states. "Rebel Yell" was another tearful read. At least in the books about Forrest he doesn't get killed. Shelby was a great storyteller who will be missed. Who would not want to go trout fishing and camping for a week with him along?? Sipping on a jar of homemade peach or apple moonshine, I might add….