Lee Gary Gallagher Dispells Myths About Robert E. Lee

Those are casualties, not necessarily losses. A slight wound is counted as a loss in that. Look at the current scholarship of Gordon Rhea, who's actually delved deeply into the records.
Randall and Donald were historians, Rhea is an entertaining writer but is not a professional historian.
 
Randall and Donald were historians, Rhea is an entertaining writer but is not a professional historian.

I am not sure what a 'professional historian' is, or how this would downgrade an individual if his work is expertly researched, documented, respected, and referenced by academics and amateurs, alike. Do you discount Dave Powell's work?He has a BA in history, but he has a 'day job' outside history, so he might be a professional something else. What aspect of Rhea's work - besides labeling - lowers his status as a historian? Gary Gallagher is incredibly entertaining, does that make his content any less factual or compelling?
 
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I am not sure what a 'professional historian' is, or how this would downgrade an individual if his work is expertly researched, documented, respected, and referenced by academics and amateurs, alike. Do you discount Dave Powell's work?He has a BA in history, but he has a 'day job' outside history, so he might be a professional something else. What aspect of Rhea's work - besides labeling - lowers his status as a historian? Gary Gallagher is incredibly entertaining, does that make his content any less factual or compelling?

If that's your rationale don't discount my post, I too have done a lot of research, have a MA in history and had a day job outside history.

I don't discount Gordon Rhea, I just that I haven't seen his dismissal of Randal and Donald's Overland Campaign casualty estimates, if you have them please list it and his source. Randal and Donald's source was Battle and Leaders, Vol. IV, p. 182.
 
Gallagher is an interesting, believable, character.

Some years ago, one of the Great Courses was Gary Gallagher on the Civil War. He just stuck to the facts as he knew them. But they were on VHS tapes and I don't remember to whom I sent them.

But did y'all know that he writes standing up?

I will admit that he probably has a normal desk and a chair somewhere in there but, when he is at his computer, he is standing like Bob Chratchet, at his desk.

http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/american-civil-war.html

as to that bob cratchet thing: same here - i do have a the heat up in winter, though :wink:
 
If that's your rationale don't discount my post, I too have done a lot of research, have a MA in history and had a day job outside history.

I don't discount Gordon Rhea, I just that I haven't seen his dismissal of Randal and Donald's Overland Campaign casualty estimates, if you have them please list it and his source. Randal and Donald's source was Battle and Leaders, Vol. IV, p. 182.

Cute. You highlight part of my post and attempt to apply it to yourself....And you did not answer my question.
 
http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/american-civil-war.html

as to that bob cratchet thing: same here - i do have a the heat up in winter, though :wink:
Fun chat.

Who is areal historian and who is not?

We have as many
'real histotians

'on this board as there are out there publishing books.

I'll confess to being a lazy reader -- lofty, academic writing turns me off.

Nevertheless, I've read a lot of books and Gallagher is both a respected historian and an easy read.
 
If that's your rationale don't discount my post, I too have done a lot of research, have a MA in history and had a day job outside history.

I don't discount Gordon Rhea, I just that I haven't seen his dismissal of Randal and Donald's Overland Campaign casualty estimates, if you have them please list it and his source. Randal and Donald's source was Battle and Leaders, Vol. IV, p. 182.

No you clearly did discount Rhea in the previous post where you stated he is "an entertaining writer but not a professional historian". That's beyond a discount that's a flat out rejection.

Have you read any of Eric Whittenberg's work? Eric is a lawyer..do you not consider him a professional historian? I have read several of his books and he's on the same caliber, at the least, of those with a phd in history that write about the war.
 
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No you clearly did discount Rhea in the previous post where you stated he is "an entertaining writer but not a professional historian". That's beyond a discount that's a flat out rejection.

Have you read any of Eric Whittenberg's work? Eric is a lawyer..do you not consider him a professional historian? I have read several of his books and he's on the same caliber, at the least, of those with a phd in history that write about the war.
I have his Monroe Crossings book -- well researched and written.
 
Randall and Donald were historians, Rhea is an entertaining writer but is not a professional historian.

Rhea's work has been praised by academic historians. Perhaps you can find an academic historian who says Rhea doesn't know what he's talking about.
 
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It seems to me the greater strength of the opposing force, the more casualties they could inflict. In the majority of these battles, Union forces had more men, and therefore could inflict more damage against the smaller, opposing force of Confederates (this not taking into account Cash's last point re: positions, weapons, etc as per advantages in the field) ...
 
Rhea's work has been praised by academic historians. Perhaps you can find an academic historian who says Rhea doesn't know what he's talking about.[/QUOTE]

So has Randall and Donald. I doubt you would find an academic historian, not a full fledged Marxist, that would say either man didn't know what he was talking about. I enjoyed reading Rhea's book on the Cold Harbor campaign, I certainly didn't mean to imply he was another Edward Bonekemper.
 
Rhea's work has been praised by academic historians. Perhaps you can find an academic historian who says Rhea doesn't know what he's talking about.
thank you for remembering me and giving me the advice always appreciated.
 
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