BLOG, or DIE. Author Bio
Friday, 22 January 2010
About the Author
As an award-winning and best-selling author, Michael Aubrecht has dedicated his studies to the histories of Major League Baseball, the Civil War and the Founding Fathers. He has written multiple books, as well as hundreds of essays for magazines, newspapers and journals including Baseball-Almanac, Civil War Historian, Patriots of the American Revolution, Pop Flies, Drumhead Magazine, The Badge and The Free Lance-Star. Michael is also the personal copywriter for the classic American painter Mort Kunstler. By day Michael works for the U.S. Marshals Service in the Investigative Operations Division.
Michael is a filmmaker and co-wrote and produced the dramatic documentary The Angel of Marye's Heights (scene sample here). He previously hosted "The Naked Historian", a casual YouTube video series introducing viewers to little-known historical sites in the Fredericksburg area. A battlefield tour guide, frequent speaker and radio guest, Michael is the former chairman of the National Civil War Life Foundation and the founder of All-Access Battlefield Tours and The Jefferson Project.
Michael is also an experienced musician and has performed at such events as the Mellon Jazz Festival and National Band Competition in Nashville, TN. Long before he became a writer, Michael played drums in the marching band, symphonic band, choir pit, stage band and percussion ensemble. Today he plays a variety of classic American music styles, favoring swing and big band music. Michael also co-developed a unique percussion theory program for children ages 5-10 known as “FUNdamentals” with his co-author, noted recording and touring drummer Rich Redmond, best known for his work with the Jason Aldean band.
Books by Michael Aubrecht:
Buy Michael's books and DVDs on Amazon.
FUNdamentals of Drumming for Kids (w/ Rich Redmond, Publisher TBD)
Baseball's Could Have Beens: Major League Mishaps, Misfortunes, and Mistakes (w/ Eric Wittenberg, Kent State University Press, 2014)
You Stink! Major League Baseball’s Terrible Teams and Pathetic Players (w/ Eric Wittenberg, Kent State University Press, 2012)
The Civil War in Spotsylvania: Campfires at the Crossroads (The History Press, 2009)
Historic Churches of Fredericksburg: Houses of the Holy (The History Press 2008)
The Southern Cross: A Civil War Devotional (Patriot Press, 2008)
Onward Christian Soldier: The Spiritual Journey of Stonewall (Publish America, 2005)
Christian Cavalier: The Spiritual Legacy of J.E.B. Stuart (Publish America, 2005)
Faith and Freedom in Fredericksburg: Jefferson and the VA Statute of Religious Freedom (manuscript IP)
Some past presentations (click for transcripts or video):
Backyard History: Forgotten Sites of Lee’s Hill (Lee’s Hill ‘55 Club)
Community Lecture Series: Fredericksburg’s Churches (SPC Church)
Richard R. Kirkland “The Angel of Marye’s Heights” (F'burg Civil War Roundtable)
Lunchtime Lecture: The Great Revival During the Civil War (Manassas Museum)
Historical Research and Writing (Maury Commons Heritage Center)
Race and Remembrance at F'burg’s Baptist Churches (Manassas Museum)
Historical Research and Writing Tips for All Genres (Pittsburgh Writer’s Project)
Jackson’s Journey: Stonewall’s 1862 Valley Campaign (CWHC Muster Banquet)
The Mother of the Father of Our County, Mary Washington (VAFB Conference)
Gallant Boys in Blue: The 123rd PA Volunteer Infantry (Carnegie Library Hall)
The Espy Post and the Importance of Civil War Memory (Carnegie Library Hall)
The Great Revival St. George’s Episcopal Church (St. George’s Civil War Series)
Battle of Spotsylvania: In Their Words (Richmond Civil War Roundtable)
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Honoring Lee at the Capitol
Last weekend some good friends of mine from Lee’s Lieutenants participated in a very special ceremony at the U.S. Capitol commemorating Robert E. Lee’s birthday. Al Stone portrayed the guest of honor and members of his staff accompanied him. The observance was organized by the United Daughters of the Confederacy (District of Columbia Division) and featured a salute to the CSA flag, the singing of “Dixie,” a wreath placement at the statue of Gen. Lee, and a guest speaker.
Of course there were some folks who took offense, but I applaud the conviction of the organizers as well as the government officials who authorized this event. One article stated that Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was the one who OK’d it, yet another piece said that the UDC had been doing this since 1909.
I find it incredibly offensive that people continue to argue against any commemoration of this sort in the same week as Martin Luther King Day. In Virginia, Lee-Jackson Day is now held on the Friday before MLK Day and the fact that Lee and King’s birthdays are a mere 4 days apart is the cause for the “crossover.” It is NOT what one poorly-informed critic called “an annual event that normally attracts a number of white supremacists and neo-Nazis, meant to slight the memory of Dr. King.” On the other side of extremism, I have read people complain about honoring our greatest civil rights leader and refer to him as “a domestic terrorist and an architect of insurrection.” These types of ignorant assertions are ridiculous and soley meant to instigate.
I firmly believe that BOTH of these tremendous individuals deserve our gratitude and acknowledgement - and what better sign of equality than to celebrate them equally? If either of these great men were around today, they would frown upon these blanket criticisms and tell us all to get along.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Take a chance
At the risk of sounding boastful, I wanted to share an excerpt from a wonderful email that I received today. I am posting this to show my comrades that one can indeed step completely out of their comfort zone and not only have that decision validated, but also have it lead to new things. (Some of you have emailed me in private saying that you too are thinking about making a change. Today I say do it!)
A few weeks ago I had announced my decision to move my focus from the American Civil War to the Revolution. This was a big risk for me as I had published zero material on the subject, nor had I any working-relationships in that genre. In fact, the closest I had come to formally writing about America's fight for independence was the origin studies that I included in my book on Fredericksburg's historic churches. As I stated in my post, I was essentially starting over as I had no credibility, no experience, and no connections in this period of study. My plan (which I have been following) was to simply immerse myself in the subject matter.
A generous editor from Three Patriots Publishing named Benjamin Smith extended an open invitation for me to submit something for Patriots of the American Revolution. I decided to take him up on his offer and penned a 7-page feature on race and remembrance at Monticello. I also introduced Ben to Eric Wittenberg who has quickly taken a very active role in PAR as their new book review editor.
After Ben sent me a PDF of the finished Monticello article I was fairly pleased, but still nervous about what readers would think. I likened this feeling to the first time I ever submitted an article, a combination of anxiousness and nausea. For the last week or so, I've been cringing at the thought of my first offering being panned. Perhaps I had made a mistake. Maybe I should have stayed in my comfort zone after all?
Well...this weekend I received both my complimentary PAR copies and a congratulatory email (below) from noted historian and writer Hugh Harrington. Hugh and I share publishers and I loved his book on the Civil War in Milledgeville. He too had been a contributor to PAR and his words filled me with a great sense of relief. They also initiated a new friendship that will continue to grow as he, Eric, and I continue to grow - not only in this new genre and in the pages of Patriots of the American Revolution - but also as students of America's fight for liberty and freedom. Change is good.
...As for your article. The first thing I have to say is your photography is outstanding. The article is perfect. Not so deep that people get bogged down but not fluff, either...You cite sources (I don't read articles without sources/footnotes) and tell a compelling story. In fact, it would be hard to read - and look at your photos - and be anywhere near Monticello and not drive over to go over the ground in person. Well done, Sir! I hope to see you again in the Patriots and elsewhere - perhaps even in person. Best regards, Hugh T. Harrington
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Lights – Camera - Action
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Lately I have been receiving steady emails from people wanting to know more about the Angel of Marye’s Heights project. Some of my friends and fellow historians specifically asked questions about my experience in front of the camera. You may recall that in previous posts I have discussed my thoughts as a co-producer in dealing with the marathon schedules and constant location shifting that takes place on a movie set. It is stressful to say the least and most of the time you are burning precious daylight and someone else’s money. It helps to have a good cast and crew and for this film we were certainly blessed. In fact, this documentary would have never come to fruition if not for the talented people that worked on it. I am grateful for every one of them.
It was a very pleasant surprise when Clint Ross asked me if I would be interested in appearing on camera as one of the film’s “talking heads.” Although I had extensive experience as a speaker and radio guest, it would be the first time that I stepped in front of a movie lens. After doing it, I can say without a doubt that it is an entirely different experience when you are on “the other side” of the camera. As co-producer I spent most of my time pacing around the set, talking on the phone, coordinating interviews, and making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be and doing what they were supposed to do. Clint had a great handle on things, so he only depended on my network of connections and knowledge of the area and story.
Originally the plan was to shoot my segment atop Marye’s Heights, with me sitting near the Washington Artillery’s cannon. The previous day Megan Hicks was filmed at the base of the slope, at the stone wall, and near the Kirkland Monument. Unfortunately once we started to set-up, the soundman realized that there was far too much background noise to compensate for. It is amazing what you can hear once you stop and listen. In all the years that I have walked that route while giving tours I never noticed the roar of cars, trains, wind, and other sounds that resonate atop that hill.
Quickly thinking of an alternative, I suggested that we drive over to Prospect Hill where Jackson’s troops were positioned. This was a much more secluded spot and it turned out to be one of the prettiest settings in the film. Our NPS filming permits had to be adjusted, but thanks to everyone’s cooperation, production continued on schedule and I was able to shoot my part in a little over an hour. Of course I forgot there was a railroad running through this section of the battlefield and we had to periodically stop as AMTRAK cars went roaring by.
What really amazed me was the tremendous (and sometimes tedious) care and attention that went in to setting up the shots beforehand. Our cinematographer Zach Graber placed lights, boom stands, microphones, reflecting boards, and me in a variety of positions. The end result was a stunning scene that made me look far better than I am. Viewers would be surprised to know that I am sitting on an apple box, in a bed of flowers, with all of this movie junk surrounding me.
As I was the one tasked with asking the other historians their questions, Clint took the stool and played the role of silent interviewer. It helped that he had prepared some great questions that challenged me and kept me interested. What transpired was a casual conversation in which we went back and forth discussing the Battle of Fredericksburg, Kirkland’s life and legacy, and why we choose to remember him today. I only had to start over a couple times when I lost my train of thought, or a butterfly flew in front of the camera.
Looking back it was a great, albeit nerve-racking, experience and one that I won’t soon forget. If I am ever lucky enough to be in front of the camera again, I will know what to expect and what is expected of me. Below is a rough cut of one of my segments discussing the events leading up to Kirkland’s act of humanity. Some of it is on the editing room floor, but the important parts will remain in the final version. For more information on this remarkable story and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.theangelmovie.com. And don’t miss the previous video blog from the director himself. Enjoy.
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Posted by ny5/pinstripepress
at 11:12 AM EST
Updated: Thursday, 14 January 2010 11:17 AM EST
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Wednesday, 13 January 2010
THE Kirkland Movie
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As work continues on The Angel of Marye’s Heights documentary, Clint Ross and I want to make a point of saying how very grateful we are for your continued support. In recent weeks, inflating legal and post-production costs have added to the strain of completing this film. Thankfully, our prayers continue to be answered. Due to some generous donations, we are coming closer to reaching our vision. That said…we still have a ways to go.
Clint and I thought it might be a good idea to use video blogging as a sincere way of sharing our own experiences. Periodic video blogs will now be posted here as well as on the film’s official website. For more information on this remarkable story, a preview of the film, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.theangelmovie.com.
Below is a short video clip from Clint giving some background from the director’s point of view. Later this week I plan to post my own thoughts of being in front of the camera, as well as excerpts from one of my interview segments. Stay tuned and keep praying for us. It works.
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