NF Philip Thomas Tucker

[TallTallMan]

There is some 200-odd books writer by the name of Dr. Philip Thomas Tucker, the proclaimed "Stephen King of American History".

His website bio is longer than Team of Rivals, so here's one from DoYouBuzz:

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The recipient of a Ph.D. in history from prestigious St. Louis University, Phillip Thomas Tucker served over 20 years as a professional historian with the United States Department of Defense (DoD). In this role he conducted research and completed writing projects assigned by military commanders, including generals, and DoD officials in Washington, D.C., and at various military establishments around the country. Supplementing his historical work with the DoD in his spare time at home, Phillip Thomas Tucker, Ph.D. also continued to compile historical narratives for publication in multiple fields of American history. In 1993, he earned the Douglas Southall Freeman Award for his groundbreaking biography of an Irish-born priest and inspirational man of God.

Dr. Tucker continues to write historical accounts of central figures and major battles in American history, including books featured by the History Book Club and the Military Book Club. He has authored more than 30 books and is widely viewed as one of the country's leading "new look" historians. In addition to his most recent book, Alexander Hamilton's Revolution: His Vital Role as Washington's Chief of Staff, he is the author of biographical accounts of inspirational and remarkable women such as Cathy Williams: From Slave to Buffalo Soldier and Emily D. West and the "Yellow Rose of Texas" Myth. Outside of his professional endeavors, he has donated to Haitian relief funds and has been a mentor to inner city youth in Washington, D.C.

I have not read any of his books, but they have a bad reputation. Why are they bad?

Phillip Thomas Tucker PhD | Author | Central Florida

Best-selling author. More than 125 books of groundbreaking history. Family owned. Books by the author. Nonfiction books.

www.phillipthomastuckerphd.com

 

[Library Lady]

I'm not sure that this will answer your question, but it sure is entertaining.

HF - It's a Leap Year! Who knew these things happened every 4 years? | Civil War Books, Stories, & Media

It's been about four years, since we last heard from our good friend Mr. Tucker! You know, that famous author guy? Philip Thomas Tucker. You haven't heard of him? Come on, he's a famous author, he's written many, many Civil War books! You had to of heard of this guy, he's got a Ph.D. That...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Jamieva]

Ah that's a name I have not heard in a while. I have not read any of his books but ask yourself this, what level of research could someone do to produce 30 books in a human lifetime about historical topical?

Based on Amazon reviews he is a very poor writer.

 

[archieclement]

The one book I've read of his I wouldn't say was bad, but would say relied heavily on a earlier work.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Thought fair and reasonable criticism can be generally informative and useful, if based on facts and not subjective character assassination.
It seems some comments here are quite disparaging of this particular creator's numerous titles and there is also an implied mockery of his integrity. (I have read one or two of his works).
Trust there is no large element of 'intellectual snobbery' involved in the remarks made. (People can communicate effectively in different ways, and at different levels, to different audiences).

 

[Andrew]

I have not read any of his books, but they have a bad reputation. Why are they bad?

I'm sure not all of his 140+ well-researched books are bad. And to be fair, I read his book about Burnside Bridge and it was OK.

War and Peace His bio is indicative of his writing and the repetitiveness that repeats itself repeatedly can be seen over and over again there. For an example, see his recent book about Custer at Gettysburg. A sample of the book is available to read on Amazon. I suggest giving that a read to get a feel for why he has a bad reputation. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts when you finish.

Also, if you read the reviews of his books on Amazon, which are numerous, you'll notice a trend of "I'm not really interested in history but Tucker's book was very interesting...". They read like my book reports in middle school for books I didn't actually read. I get the distinct impression, which of course I cannot verify, that they are written by a combination of paid reviewers, family members, people who cannot read and/or AI.

That's my 2 cents. I am not a fan. And if I were Stephen King, I would not let this aggression stand.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Thought fair and reasonable criticism can be generally informative and useful, if based on facts and not subjective character assassination.

Is it still character assassination if the target has already shot himself in the foot? If you read an author Amazon bio like his why would you give the author any further chance?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Is it still character assassination if the target has already shot himself in the foot? If you read an author Amazon bio like his why would you give the author any further chance?

Am interpreting both these questions posed as being rhetorical.

A couple, or so, of additional final comments to make.

One can certainly form their own valid views of read material. But this is different to making pronouncements relying on others' views who look at it from their own vantage points (and possible agendas).

I have read two of his titles and thought that the content was not necessarily commensurate with some of the harsh condemnation handed out. That's merely my own experience and findings, and is not based on what someone else (or a cohort) has said.

Regarding any displayed author biographies or profiles generally. Have found that creators represent/hold out themselves in different ways, sometimes including statements that might be characterized as embellishments or even puffery. But that's a marketing function in today's world. Thought this is harmless enough, provided there are no material misrepresentations or otherwise stated untruths contained therein. Having reviewed the presented subject author's bio here, could not see any irregularities of concern.

 

[Belfoured]

Thought fair and reasonable criticism can be generally informative and useful, if based on facts and not subjective character assassination.
It seems some comments here are quite disparaging of this particular creator's numerous titles and there is also an implied mockery of his integrity. (I have read one or two of his works).
Trust there is no large element of 'intellectual snobbery' involved in the remarks made. (People can communicate effectively in different ways, and at different levels, to different audiences).

I wouldn't assume that strong criticism of this guy's numerous books is "intellectual snobbery". I have a couple and have not bought any others because I found the analysis and research thin, at best, and that it was not counterbalanced by the writing. "Character assassination" is a fairly extreme label for reaction to an author who self-promotes as "the most prolific groundbreaking historian in America in the twenty-first century" and "[n]o author has produced more important books about military history, Black history, and Women's history in the last half century than Dr. Tucker. He was a distinct penchant for finding rare gems in history and writing the first-time stories about some of the remarkable men and women in history around the world." There's this common sense notion that anybody claiming to be an expert in so many different areas of history may be "master of none".

 

[Belfoured]

Is it still character assassination if the target has already shot himself in the foot? If you read an author Amazon bio like his why would you give the author any further chance?

Glass half full - IIRC, it's actually more "succinct" than what he had up some years ago.

 

[TallTallMan]

I put his bio on the website as a Google Doc and it is LITERALLY thirteen pages, 5990 words, at Arial size 11!

About Phillip Thomas Tucker PhD | Central Florida Author

Learn more about Phillip Thomas Tucker PhD. More than 125 books of groundbreaking history. Family owned.

www.phillipthomastuckerphd.com

 

[TallTallMan]

I'm not sure that this will answer your question, but it sure is entertaining.

HF - It's a Leap Year! Who knew these things happened every 4 years? | Civil War Books, Stories, & Media

It's been about four years, since we last heard from our good friend Mr. Tucker! You know, that famous author guy? Philip Thomas Tucker. You haven't heard of him? Come on, he's a famous author, he's written many, many Civil War books! You had to of heard of this guy, he's got a Ph.D. That...

civilwartalk.com

Thanks as usual, Lady of the Library!

 

[TallTallMan]

For your reading pleasure, a word from our friend @Eric Wittenberg:

 

[Virginia Dave]

For your reading pleasure, a word from our friend @Eric Wittenberg:

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Is this guy seeking psychiatric help yet?

 

[TallTallMan]

I'm sure not all of his 140+ well-researched books are bad. And to be fair, I read his book about Burnside Bridge and it was OK.

War and Peace His bio is indicative of his writing and the repetitiveness that repeats itself repeatedly can be seen over and over again there. For an example, see his recent book about Custer at Gettysburg. A sample of the book is available to read on Amazon. I suggest giving that a read to get a feel for why he has a bad reputation. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts when you finish.

Also, if you read the reviews of his books on Amazon, which are numerous, you'll notice a trend of "I'm not really interested in history but Tucker's book was very interesting...". They read like my book reports in middle school for books I didn't actually read. I get the distinct impression, which of course I cannot verify, that they are written by a combination of paid reviewers, family members, people who cannot read and/or AI.

That's my 2 cents. I am not a fan. And if I were Stephen King, I would not let this aggression stand.

Thanks for the info!

I can't make the Amazon look inside work at the moment. I'll switch computers in a few minutes to check it out and let you know what I think...

 

[TallTallMan]

@E_just_E reviewed the book upon its release, and here's his hilarious point-outs for Pickett's Charge:

The new book on Pickett's Charge by Phillip Thomas Tucker taught me one thing | Gettysburg

(actually two things: ) A. Never ever ever again pre-order a book without physically looking and going through it. A good six months ago, Amazon sent me an alert e-mail that a new book on Pickett's Charge, Pickett's Charge: A New Look at Gettysburg’s Final Attack. A New Look at Gettysburg's...

civilwartalk.com

 

[TallTallMan]

@Andrew Okay. Read the preface in the preview.

I agree with him that Meade and Warren (look at my avatar) deserve more recognition, and it was Shaara/Maxwell who have helped the most with p*ssing on them. However, what in the heck does this have to do with the book? He likes the word "most" as in "most unhelpful" a lot. Also, he needs to read his dictionary, since he does not know what "irony" means.

I started laughing when I got to this barb about Chamberlain:

Kindle does not have page numbers but that preface is a book itself. What is his problem with pop history writing and whatever "social media" people are (bloggers? CWT users?)

Finally, the run-on of the century:

 

[Andrew]

Okay. Read the preface in the preview.

Also, he needs to read his dictionary, since he does not know what "irony" means.

What is his problem with pop history writing and whatever "social media" people are (bloggers? CWT users?)

Thank you for your service.

Dictionary reading, run on sentences, and definitions will be his editor's responsibility, if he finds one.

See your post of Tucker's screed to Eric W. above for the answer to your third question.

 

[TallTallMan]

Thank you for your service.

Dictionary reading, run on sentences, and definitions will be his editor's responsibility, if he finds one.

See your post of Tucker's screed to Eric W. above for the answer to your third question.

We ought to create a fan club called "Unholy Alliance of CivilWarTalk Stooges"

 

[TallTallMan]

I almost feel bad for him but anybody who proclaims themself the "Steven King of History" probably deserves that verbal thrashing.