Member Review Shelby Foote

[Marco 1975]

Today I wanted to watch a 45 minute interview with Shelby Foote, I listened to him for nearly 5 hours. When the first Video was over I was looking for more. Maybe not everything he says is true and maybe he has a southern view to the war ( of course, he was a southener ) but I can't remember ever have enjoyed to listen to someone. I also like James Robertson jr., is there anyone from the north who is engaged in the civil war like these men are (were) ? I did'nt here about anyone

 

[nc native]

I'm a fan of Shelby Foote and especially James I. Robertson too. One historian you might enjoy if you want a more Union perspective on the war who loves Civil War history and is entertaining is the late Edwin Bearss. His knowledge of the Vicksburg campaign is second to none and he also knows the battle of Gettysburg like the back of his hand.

Being a Southerner, I can say that most Southerners are natural born storytellers, whether what they say is true or not. If you ask a Southerner a simple question it can turn into a thirty minute story before you'll get an answer.

 

[Marco 1975]

I'm a fan of Shelby Foote and especially James I. Robertson too. One historian you might enjoy if you want a more Union perspective on the war who loves Civil War history and is entertaining too is the late Edwin Bearss. His knowledge of the Vicksburg campaign is second to none and he also knows the battle of Gettysburg like the back of his hand.

I like to hear the view of both sides. I did so with WW1 too, I knew things from the german view, it's interesting to hear what the french thought. The same with the civil war, unklar now the books I have read are almost from the confederate view. I will search for Mr. Bearss at Youtube tomorrow, thank you. He was at the Ken Burns documentary, if I remember right

 

[Drew]

@Marco 1975 you may also look for Bruce Catton's books and maybe also James McPherson. They will tell the story from the Northern point of view.

 

[Biscoitos]

Today I wanted to watch a 45 minute interview with Shelby Foote, I listened to him for nearly 5 hours. When the first Video was over I was looking for more. Maybe not everything he says is true and maybe he has a southern view to the war ( of course, he was a southener ) but I can't remember ever have enjoyed to listen to someone. I also like James Robertson jr., is there anyone from the north who is engaged in the civil war like these men are (were) ? I did'nt here about anyone

If you don't mind reading books, I suggest Clifford Dowdey and Douglas Southall Freeman.
In my opinion, Reflections on the Civil War by Bruce Catton is one of the best books on the War that I have ever read.
You won't find much from these guys on YouTube.

 

[gc45]

Have enjoyed Mr. foote myself. Are there Southerners here that find him wrong, or is it only Yankees and if his statements are incorrect on some things, what might those be? someone must have a list.

 

[Biscoitos]

Have enjoyed Mr. foote myself. Are there Southerners here that find him wrong, or is it only Yankees and if his statements are incorrect on some things, what might those be? someone must have a list.

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?

 

[UCVRelics]

I can't remember ever have enjoyed to listen to someone.

You are spot on. You should have been around him when had a few. I have very fond memories of having drinks with him in the bar at the Peabody Hotel back when the CW show was at the fairgrounds in Memphis. The other time was at the annual meeting of the NB Forrest camp. He was a VERY fine Southern Gentleman with a great passion for the South.

 

[gc45]

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?

You Yankees? I like Foote and I an't no Yankee.

 

[Biscoitos]

You are spot on. You should have been around him when had a few. I have very fond memories of having drinks with him in the bar at the Peabody Hotel back when the CW show was at the fairgrounds in Memphis. The other time was at the annual meeting of the NB Forrest camp annual meeting. He was a VERY fine Southern Gentleman with a great passion for the South

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?

Shelby had charisma and a great "stage presence"
I once drove to Clarksdale to hear him speak. He said that the last time he had been in town the Alcazar Hotel burned down but he wasn't responsible. The charming manner and his humor reminded me of Mark Twain. He had everybody laughing and got a standing ovation after maybe his first minute.
Until the last years of his life, when his health declined, it was possible for strangers to knock on his door and have a brief chat with him.
He lived on East Parkway, near Christian Bros University.

 

[archieclement]

I like to hear the view of both sides. I did so with WW1 too, I knew things from the german view, it's interesting to hear what the french thought. The same with the civil war, unklar now the books I have read are almost from the confederate view. I will search for Mr. Bearss at Youtube tomorrow, thank you. He was at the Ken Burns documentary, if I remember right

You are spot on in every war there's different sides, which means different views and perspectives. Certainly if wishing to present a full picture it would involve presenting all perspectives.

In a war like WW2, there's as many perspectives as nations, and sometimes two for a nation when there's resistance.

The problem today is some wish to replace period perspectives with their personal views..........

 

[Biscoitos]

You Yankees? I like Foote and I an't no Yankee.

Sorry. I am tired and misunderstood your post.
Suh, my most deepest apologies for such a most injurious slam upon your character and family name. Bless my pea picking heart.

 

[Marco 1975]

You are spot on in every war there's different sides, which means different views and perspectives. Certainly if wishing to present a full picture it would involve presenting all perspectives.

In a war like WW2, there's as many perspectives as nations, and sometimes two for a nation when there's resistance.

The problem today is some wish to replace period perspectives with their personal views..........

I think the problem is that some people only see theire own view and don't respect different views/opinions. Discussions are impossible and often facts were not acceptet. I think it's importent to respect that there are other views as my own and respect that. I don't have to agree with that or to like it, but I have to accept it

 

[Marco 1975]

Have enjoyed Mr. foote myself. Are there Southerners here that find him wrong, or is it only Yankees and if his statements are incorrect on some things, what might those be? someone must have a list.

My " highlight " is his Shiloh/Waterloo statement. When he said Shiloh had more casualties then Waterloo and in the Civil War were 20(?) more Waterloo's. Two mistakes in one. But I'm not looking fore mistakes, sometimes one just know that something's wrong

 

[Marco 1975]

You are spot on in every war there's different sides, which means different views and perspectives. Certainly if wishing to present a full picture it would involve presenting all perspectives.

In a war like WW2, there's as many perspectives as nations, and sometimes two for a nation when there's resistance.

The problem today is some wish to replace period perspectives with their personal views..........

You are spot on. You should have been around him when had a few. I have very fond memories of having drinks with him in the bar at the Peabody Hotel back when the CW show was at the fairgrounds in Memphis. The other time was at the annual meeting of the NB Forrest camp. He was a VERY fine Southern Gentleman with a great passion for the South.

Must be great to meet people like him

 

[A. Roy]

I read and greatly enjoyed Shelby Foote's trilogy. I do wish he had used footnotes, or at least a bibliography for each chapter. Still, his books are a great way to 'experience' the Civil War because of his storytelling abilities. I still don't understand why people say that he wrote from a southern or 'lost cause' point of view, as I didn't see that reflected in the text of his books.
ARB

 

[Rhea Cole]

Shelby Foote was very comfortable in his skin. His name was in the phone book & he answered calls himself. He viewed his celebrity from the Ken Burnes series as a plague.

It is interesting that once he finished his Civil War epic he was done with it. He really was worn out.

Foote is a period piece. His statements in the PBS series contain several citations that are apocryphal. At the time they were believed to be true, but subsequent research has shown them to be counterfactual… a familiar experience for any of us who has studied the Civil War for a long time. Foote was very much a product of the 1940-50's.

A long time ago I was invited to tag along to a casual get together at Foote's house. It was a collection of story tellers, authors & folklorists from a conference. I was there with the associated graphic artists, book designers, etc. I had no idea who Foote was.

 

[Jamieva]

Totally agree. Shelby reflected a southern sensibility for people that grew up in the 30s 40s and 50s, basically up to the civil rights movement. My dad who was born in 1940 was a huge fan of Foote after seeing him on the ken burns series.

 

[huskerblitz]

But, as has been said often on CWT, he is a storyteller, not an academic historian.
Where are the footnotes?

Foote himself admits as much. And he explains why he chose not to use footnotes in his narrative.

 

[Marco 1975]

I read and greatly enjoyed Shelby Foote's trilogy. I do wish he had used footnotes, or at least a bibliography for each chapter. Still, his books are a great way to 'experience' the Civil War because of his storytelling abilities. I still don't understand why people say that he wrote from a southern or 'lost cause' point of view, as I didn't see that reflected in the text of his books.

There are some writers who write in the " lost cause view " , I would'nt say that Foote is one of them. He is also fair to the union-side. James Robertson is so similar, one can feel his sympaty for the South and also for the union. I can't find the right words for what I want to say, I hope you know what I mean