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

Office Hours: How to Fire a Civil War Musket

Greetings Cosmic Americans!

Today's question, or rather - request, comes from Price in Alabama (my home state..Roll Tide!!). Price wanted me to demonstrate the firing a of Civil War era musket. Well....I do not own one, so I can't really do it myself - I believe Price thinks I am an reenactor, which I find curious. Thanks be to Youtube! I found Mike the NPS ranger at Fort Pulaski Georgia giving a splendid demonstration complete with the proper commands.

Now from what I understand, a good soldier could get off three aimed shots in a minute. Seems like a tall order to me, especially when everything around you is exploding. But what do I know? See you next time on Office Hours - and keep the questions coming. I answer all of them...and I might just feature yours right here!

Peace,
Keith

Cosmic America: Office Hours at Huston's BBQ and Memorial Park in Pasadena

Greetings Cosmic Americans!

Yes...I am on a BBQ kick these days so expect a lot of videos from the various joints around LA. It seems I am on a bit of a culture kick as well - go figure....so I may shoot a little video in a museum or two - or some other place that is all cultural and stuff (wait a sec...isn't everything cultural??).

Today's question comes from Rob in Pennsylvania - he wants to know how the post war writings of guys like Jubal Early affected the reputation (and how we think about) Confederate general James Longstreet - particularly his actions (or inaction, as it were) on July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg.

Well, I love a Gettysburg related question so thanks Rob - and - I have been meaning to head out to Pasadena to check out the Civil War monument there. I hope you liked the backdrop!

And for the rest of you - keep the questions coming! I'll answer them right here at Cosmic America. And if you are in LA, try Hustons. Yes...there is such a thing as good BBQ in Los Angeles.

Peace,
Keith

Cosmic America: Office Hours from Joshua Tree National Park

Greetings Cosmic Americans!

So here it is - the long awaited return to Office Hours. I have a growing list of questions that I have been saving so be sure and check in all the time - you will get an answer (that you may or may not agree with). For this [caption id="attachment_1586" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Loyal Unionist Joshua Tree inhabitant. "][/caption]episode - I figured that Joshua Tree - completely unrelated to the Civil War - was just too beautiful to take a pass on including it in some sort of video. Thanks Tim for your question on the Emancipation Proclamation! I hope you like the scenery :)

And - I would love your feedback. Office Hours is taking on a bit of a new flavor...with a theme song (Gram Parsons) and an intro video and everything. It's sort of like my own two-minute TV show. Maybe I should pitch it to one of those cable channels. Who knows? The History Channel could use a few shows that dealt with...I don't know....history.

Peace,
Keith

What Ever Happened to Cosmic America Office Hours?

Greetings Cosmic Americans!

Remember a few months back when I used to field questions from all over the world about the Civil War? Oh sure you do. I would put them on Youtube and everything. Well, after a long hiatus I have decided to resurrect Cosmic America Office Hours. 

Once a week I will be picking questions from the many that I receive each week and broadcasting my answers via the usual social media suspects. God I love the Internet.

What's more you ask? Well, I have signed on with a multi-media Civil War juggernaut that - based on what I have seen so far - should be pretty awesome. It is a collaborative effort...so expect anything. I am keeping the particulars quiet until launch date - so stay tuned. I will keep you posted.

Peace,

Keith

Cosmic America's Civil War: Office Hours at Mao's Kitchen (again) January 17th, 2011

Greetings Cosmic Americans!

So it's back to Mao's Kitchen for another episode of Office Hours! I love this place - the food is tasty and as you can tell...they play fun music.

Today we look at politics. Pablo from Colorado wants to know about political parties in the Confederacy and Rudy in Nova Scotia is interested in the Union soldier vote in the election of 1864. So check it out.

Also - a special shout out to @Chucktaft a twitter friend who answered this week's trivia question correctly.

Now - in other news, you probably know that me and my wife Coni are both avid fitness people and animal rights advocates. This month, Coni is running the Miami marathon for the ASPCA and we are asking for your help to raise money for this very worthy cause. Any amount makes a difference, whether it's one dollar or a thousand. You can find out more by clicking on the "Rescue Animals" page on this blog or just click HERE to donate. Thanks in advance and, as always,

Peace,

Keith

Cosmic America's Civil War: Office Hours at Nyala - January 10, 2011

Greetings Cosmic Americans!

Today we had the best Office Hours yet - Andy from Minnesota wanted me to place Jefferson Davis on the political spectrum. Here's a hint - he falls somewhere between radical abolitionist and fire-eating secessionist. I guess you'll have to watch to find out where. Jim was interested in the point where the Confederate cause was lost. A hard question to be sure...perhaps one we can only answer with the benefit on hindsight.

And...check out the very special shout out to Twitter friends @HdGHistory and @loradawn for answering my Civil War trivia questions correctly!

Today's Office Hours was held at one of my favorite lunch spots in Los Angeles: Nyala Ethiopian Cuisine. The food is great and very inexpensive. They have a wonderful vegetarian lunch special if you are in to that sort of thing. Be sure to check them out if you should find yourself in LA's Little Ethiopia.

peace,

Keith

Cosmic America's Civil War: Office Hours at the Best Fish Taco in Ensenada

Greetings Cosmic Americans!

Today's Office Hours was fun as usual - Lance from Colorado wanted to know what happened after the 54th Massachusetts Infantry confronted the Rebs at Ft. Wagner. If you remember, the film Glory left the 54th after their ill-fated frontal assault on the fort (or rather...battery) near Charleston, South Carolina. It turns out that they went on to fight in some other engagements. Addie from Arkansas wanted to know more about my Civil War ancestry - thanks for caring Addie :) here you go...

Today we met at the Best Fish Taco in Ensenada - curiously named because it is in Los Feliz...but I will let them slide. The fish tacos were indeed pretty damn good...and the price was right. So, if you should find yourself in Los Angeles driving down Hillhurst and you get the munchies - I say stop in. And get the hot mango salsa. It's not really that hot but very tasty.

Peace,

Keith

Cosmic America's Civil War: Office Hours at Ye Rustic Inn December 31, 2010

Greetings Cosmic Americans! Well...you ask the questions, and I provide the answers - just like I promised. And what's great...sometimes I slip up a little. Just watch the video and you'll see what I mean. Military historians should be ready to jump on me here but let me assure you - I am quite familiar with the position of the Union line at Gettysburg on all three days. I have walked the lines many times. What can I say - it was a weird New Years Eve.

At any rate - in this episode we get to hear all about Lee's Plan A for day three at Gettysburg and a tidbit regarding enlistment bounties. So check it out.

By the way - it is great to be back at Ye Rustic in Los Feliz...the original meeting place for Office Hours. They make a mean burger!

Peace,
Keith