On to Gettysburg!

Greetings Cosmic Americans!

I am spending the day preparing my house for the catsitter and putting a few finishing touches on some presentations I'll be delivering in a few days - then its on to the Civil War Institute conference at Gettysburg College.

Like last year, I will be tweeting the whole thing: quotes, photos, and videos. So you can follow me on Twitter or just follow the hashtag #cwi1862 to keep up with all the goings on.

Also, since I will be surrounded by some of the top Civil War historians in the field, you might think of using Cosmic America to your advantage by sending questions along through yours truly. Who knows...maybe I can convince a few folks to make guest appearances on Office Hours. I can be very convincing you know...

So - the next post will be from the Keystone State - see you then,

Keith

Cosmic America Office Hours: What Was the First Civil War Book I Ever Read?

Greetings Cosmic Americans!

Joel from New Hampshire just had to know - so here you have it. The Civil War by Bruce Catton was a Christmas gift from my grandparents back in 1980. I read it cover to cover, loved it, and I have been a Catton fan ever since. My 1980 edition has been with me through all my travels...the well-worn dust jacket should serve to illustrate that.

[caption id="attachment_2005" align="alignright" width="201" caption="My 1980 edition of The Civil War by Bruce Catton...in all its glory. "][/caption]

At 13, I had looked in to the Civil War already and I had seen a number of things that caught my attention. Naturally, the family yarns about our Confederate ancestors from Lawrence County, Alabama kept me spellbound. But Catton's work was the first that drove some of the principle issues home. Even way back then, I had a sneaking suspicion that Civil War history would be my life's work. It was either that or becoming a rock star. If I could only figure out a way to combine the two....

And remember - if you have a question about the Civil War and want it answered on Office Hours - tweet me or just post it in the comment section!

Peace,
Keith