CWPT 2008: 2nd Place, Preservation Threat category: Modern "Raid"

(Thank you CWPT judges. Congrats to all the winners. I am honored and humbled to say the least.)

I spent the better part of the weekend completing my ‘To-Do List’ for the October 3rd, Book Release Party at the Civil War Life Museum for “Houses of the Holy.” DETAILS HERE. In addition to completing the special roadside marker signs, table settings and decorations, we also finalized the platter buffet and dessert menus. My wife is an amazing party coordinator and she is responsible for the CSA/USA flag theme and all the special accoutrements that go along with it. (Without her, I’d probably have served some bitter green tea and a bag of stale corn chips.)

We will have several tables set-up with a buffet and eating area, raffle/foundation information area, and a book signing area - all within the wonderful setting of the CW Life museum. The party will be set-up both inside and outside the exhibit halls and the press is giving us great promotional support on the radio, online, and in the newspaper. My network of contacts is really paying off this time and I am blessed beyond words.

As the wife is handling the set-up design and ambiance, I am in charge of the media/entertainment side of things. This includes a 70 period-photograph slide show that will be running in a loop at the book signing table. I also made the table signs and assembled the gift basket items. As the party and admission to the museum is free, we are holding a $5 raffle and accepting donations to benefit the National Civil War Life Museum Foundation. The gift basket contains items worth over $100 in value. The raffle winner will receive:

4 autographed books: Onward Christian Soldier, Christian Cavalier, The Southern Cross, Houses of the Holy

1 Civil War coloring book for kids

3 picture frames with 5 historic church photos

2 special issues of Civil War Historian magazine

1 copy of Historic Churches of Somerset New Jersey

Multiple book postcards and coupons from publishers

1 personal reading light book clip-on

2 commemorative Book Release Party flyers

(and a few other 'goodies' to be named) 

The musical entertainment is still being debated at this point, so there are a few remaining elements to the party yet to be completed, but I wanted to get as much of the pre-planning and set-up done as the next few weeks will be quite busy for me. (BTW: There will be an interview/feature on me in the Sept. 19th issue of the Bull Run Observer and an interview/book review on me in the Sept. 27th issue of The Free Lance-Star.)

In addition to attending another board meeting for the National Civil War Life Museum Foundation, I am also assisting the good folks from the Civil War Life Museum on the 20th when they recreate Grant’s ‘War Council’ up the street at Massaponax Baptist Church. Using re-enactors on the exact same pews, the famous photo shoot is being recreated using authentic 1800’s period wet-plate photography. The addition of wagons, horses, and the temporary shutting down of Rt1. South will make the recreation as accurate as possible.

This is to coincide with Massaponax Baptist Church’s Birthday Celebration, and their 220th Anniversary Civil War re-enactment. According to their ad: “It all starts at 11am and goes to 4pm. We will be having games for Adults and Children, choir singing, food, the barrel-train for the children, guest speakers and more. After lunch we have NPS Ranger Donald Pfanz speaking from the local Park Service,  about the Civil War, Massaponax Church during that time, about Gen. Grant and the Union Army, And more. All this just before a Re-enactment, at about 2pm, of when Gen. Grant and his troops met at the church, [May 21, 1864]. A picture, [shot by a reproduction camera just like the original], will be taken out the same window as the original. This has never been done before.  Photos can later be purchased and donations will be received with open arms, to help to maintain our historic sanctuary.”

I hope to see you at BOTH parties. 

Most of you are probably aware that I started out (writing professionally) as a contributing historian for Baseball-Almanac. From 2000-2006 I worked amidst an avalanche of stats and biographical data while penning close to 400 studies for BA. These included the complete histories of the MLB All-Star Game: 1933-2006, MLB World Series: 1903-2005, MLB Year In Review: 1876-2005, MLB Divisional Series: 1981/94-04, as well as a series of special sections including the MLB Commissioner Bios, Opening Day History, Origin of the 7th-Inning Stretch, George Steinbrenner and Bud Selig Biographies, Chess and Baseball, Baseball during the Civil War and a collection of fan essays focusing on the New York Yankees. This led to my first eBook “Luckiest Fans on the Face of This Earth,” as well as a series of freelance commissions for Major League Baseball, Pop Flies, and even ESPN Classic. For links to most of this material, you can visit the Baseball Studies page over on my website.

NONE of these projects would have been possible without the generous mentoring and support of a REAL baseball historian named Harvey Frommer. Yankees and Red Sox Fans will no doubt recognize the name as Harvey’s work tends to focus on those franchises, but above and beyond these rivals, he has published over 30 baseball books to date. I’ve read as many of them as I could and every one of them has been extraordinary. I used to publish a baseball history newsletter called “The Highlander” and it was our promotion of Harvey’s work that led to a friendship that I still treasure to this day.

Harvey has been kind over the years in providing advice, critiques, and a wealth of contact information that has blessed me with an ability to do far better work than I ever could have on my own. Therefore, it is with a great sense of pride and enthusiasm that I would like to introduce one of Harvey’s newest releases, which pays tribute to a very special place that is about to leave us.

No one I’ve come across in my career possesses more knowledge or skill in writing about the game of baseball like Harvey. His narrative-style is always enjoyable no matter what aspect of our National Pastime he is writing about. This time Harvey has provided fans with a timely memory-book focusing on the life and legacy of baseball’s most hallowed of grounds (well outside of Boston and Chicago that is). With “Remembering Yankee Stadium: An Oral and Narrative History of ‘The House That Ruth Built’” Harvey presents a complete history of the ball field from both the player’s and fan’s perspectives.

Beginning with a Foreword written by THE voice of Yankee Stadium, Bob Sheppard, “Remembering Yankee Stadium” proceeds to take the reader on a journey from the initial planning of the ballpark to its epic-existence today. The quantity of historic moments witnessed within the walls of Yankee Stadium is astonishing and Harvey does a wonderful job in recapping them using the testimonies of firsthand witnesses. This includes the recollections of celebrities, broadcasters, and writers, as well as everyday fans like you and I. Harvey also has a talent for putting together lists of associated data using things like player’s numbers or dates and there are plenty of gems of little-known stats and facts. Who remembered that 28 was Thurman Munson’s number his rookie season?

An additional section titled “Stadiumology” provides a wealth of stadium-specific data including attendances, monuments, broadcasters, and famous firsts that took place on New York’s most storied diamond. Another aspect that makes this book a real winner is the breathtaking photography that compliments the editorial content. The collection of imagery is beautiful, blending together both familiar and fresh shots that brought back a lot of fond memories for this reader. See sample Slide-Show.

New Yorkers and Yankees fans will no doubt appreciate Harvery Frommer’s efforts, but the appeal of this title goes well above and beyond the Bronx Bomber faithful. If you are a baseball history fan, “Remembering Yankee Stadium: An Oral and Narrative History of ‘The House That Ruth Built’” is a must have for your library. This ball park closes its doors at the end of this season. This book will enable the reader to re-open that door at any time.

For more on this book visit Harvey Frommer’s webpage.

To order your own copy, visit Amazon.com.

Tonight’s introductory ‘meet and greet’ was a great start to what I hope will be an exciting two months. I gave a short pitch at the pulpit for last minute sign-ups (along with the other teachers) and later I had every chair in my classroom full, with even more students to come next week.

This is what is so great about living and worshipping in Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania… In my class I have a National Park Service volunteer (Chatham guide), a professional relic hunter who lives adjacent to the Spotsylvania Battlefield, an Ellwood Manor volunteer whose backyard butts up against The Wilderness trenches, a retired Army Intelligence officer who has his advanced degree in Military History, a student of the Great Southern Revival, a VMI graduate, several lifelong residents whose ancestors fought for the Confederacy and a couple of 'Yankee' transplants who moved here for the history. It’s a great mix of age, experience, and knowledge and I petitioned everyone to contribute to the course with their own insights as well.

I was VERY happy to see some ladies register too, as we will be discussing Thomas Jackson’s relationships with his mother and two wives. It will be a blessing to get a woman’s perspective. Everyone seemed to get along well and they were attentive and enthusiastic when I went over the syllabus and workbooks. Next week we kick things off officially with a viewing of “Still Standing” before diving into the book and study guides. Stay tuned for postings on the class discussions and debates that evolve from the readings.

BTW: My wife is the one who deserves a medal as her class down the hall is made up of 3-4 year olds. I couldn’t imagine teaching in that madness. God bless her. (PS. I’ll also have some BIG publishing news to share soon.)

Excerpt from an email I just received: Congratulations...One of your photos has been selected as a finalist in our 2008 Civil War Photography Contest...I can tell you that all of the judges were very excited to see your photo in the contest and think highly of you as a photographer...We plan to announce all the winners on or near September 15th. (Rob Shenk, Civil War Preservation Trust)

UPDATE: Also, please keep me in your prayers today. It's my first night of school as 'the teacher.'

The History Press Releases
Historic Churches of Fredericksburg: Houses of the Holy
By Michael Aubrecht

Charleston, SC:  Historic Churches of Fredericksburg: Houses of the Holy recalls stories of rebellion, racism, and reconstruction as experienced by Secessionists, Unionists, and the African American population in Fredericksburg’s landmark churches during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Using a wide variety of materials compiled from the local National Park archives, author Michael Aubrecht presents multiple perspectives from local believers and nonbelievers who witnessed the country’s “Great Divide.” Learn about the importance of faith in old Fredericksburg through the recollections of local clergy such as Reverend Tucker Lacy; excerpts from slave narratives as recorded by Joseph F. Walker; impressions of military commanders such as Robert E. Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson; and stories of the conflict over African American churches.

To request a review copy or to arrange an interview with Michael Aubrecht, contact Katie Parry at katie.parry@historypress.net.

The History Press, based in Charleston, South Carolina and Salem, Massachusetts, brings a new way of thinking to history publishing by producing regional history titles by excellent historians and striving to make these books available to a wide audience.

The History Press, Inc.
18 Percy Street                                                                                                           | Charleston, SC 29403
P: 843.577.5971 | F: 843.577.6712 | www.historypress.net

As the last weeks of summer draw near, the days have begun to get shorter, my pool water is turning colder, and the leaves have just started to trickle down from their limbs. Fall stands just around the corner and its time to start thinking about those ‘winter reads’ for snowy nights when a good book is just what the weatherman ordered. Here are two excellent and highly original titles that are guaranteed to keep you from suffering from ‘cabin fever.’

Our first title is quite possibly, THE most original concept for a Civil War-era history book that I have seen in years. With the exception of Robert Krick’s recent offering “Civil War Weather In Virginia,” which focuses on the affects of mother nature on the War Between the States, James Schmidt ‘s latest release “Lincoln’s Labels,” takes the title for ‘Most Under Appreciated Topic.’ A well-respected historian and blogger, Schmidt is the author of more than fifty articles on American history in publications such as ‘North & South,’ ‘The Civil War News,’ ‘World War II,’ ‘Learning through History,’ and ‘Chemical Heritage.’ Balancing on the shelves between the military-history and consumer-economics sections of your bookstore, “Lincoln’s Labels” takes a detailed look at the origins of some of the most recognizable brands in our stores today and how they came about during the nation’s great divide.

As with any American-based war, the home front has always been called upon to answer the call in support of the military’s efforts. War often initiates some of the biggest expansions of both inventions and industry. Not surprising, the Civil War was responsible for some of the most significant contributions by corporate giants such as du Pont, Brooks Brothers, Procter & Gamble and Borden’s. “Lincoln’s Labels” also examines the conflict’s affects in turn, on American businesses, and how they were forced to modify the way they operated in order to survive. It is a story of wartime politics, big business, and how ingenuity and perseverance are key to success. The addition of many wonderful illustrations makes this book a complete study that provides an unfamiliar background to some very familiar products. For more on this unique title, please visit the official Lincoln’s Labels website.

The second title that I would like to introduce you to today comes from a very familiar authoring duo (now a trio), who have also come up with a quality study on a far too neglected subject in the annals of military history: the retreat. With hundreds, more likely thousands of books already published on the glorious victories that took place on American battlefields, this book deals with the post-battle experiences of the downtrodden and defeated. Following the success of their critically acclaimed (and this reviewer’s favorite read of 2007) “Plenty of Blame to Go Around: JEB Stuart's Controversial Ride to Gettysburg,” cavalry gurus Eric J. Wittenberg, and J. David Petruzzi, have teamed up with retired US Army Armored Cavalry Officer Michael Nugent to produce another winner focusing on the Gettysburg Campaign. “One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863” spotlights the ten-day retreat that Robert E. Lee’s battered and bruised Army of Northern Virginia conducted following their humbling defeat in Pennsylvania.

While the rest of the world continues to remain wrapped-up in the three-day engagement that took place in Adams County from July 1-3, this historian trio presents the little-known events that took place from July 4-14, 1863. During that period there were over two-dozen skirmishes and fighting at locations such as: Granite Hill, Monterey Pass, Hagerstown, Williamsport, Funkstown, Boonsboro, and Falling Waters. With a compelling narrative that has become the collective style of Wittenberg and Petruzzi (and now Nugent), the reader is transported back in time to hop in the saddle with General JEB Stuart who was able to redeem his tardiness at Gettysburg by successfully defending the retreating column of Confederate casualties that stretched for over seventeen miles. An examination of Union General George Meade’s actions is also presented giving the book a nice balance between the North and South. As with their previous release this book is a treasure trove of rarely seen documents, letters, diaries, newspaper accounts, and was published using primary and secondary sources. For more on this unique title, please visit the official One Continuous Fight website.

Today’s book signing at Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church was a great success. I did two sessions during Fellowship Time and sold more books than I planned. I also handed out a bunch of invitations to the upcoming release party at the Civil War Life Soldier's Museum and tentatively booked the musical act.

More importantly, I shared in worship with old friends, made a few new friends, and had quite a few people sign up for my course on ‘Stonewall’ Jackson. I even had a few married couples enroll, so I guess we’ll have a mixed-ministry study group. I usually attend the 11:15 service every Sunday, but today I had to be there when my wife starts working the nursery at 8:00! Man... I'm sleepy (yawn).

This Wednesday evening the family will be attending a special dinner at the church to kick off the fall semester and meet and greet our students. This particular course session will be extra special for the Aubrechts as my wife Tracy is also teaching a children’s class. She already runs the nursery on Sundays and Wednesday mornings, and is on the offering counting-committee, so it’s about time I start doing my part too. Although I led a small Sunday night men’s bible study at SPC for two years, this will be the first class that I lead as a teacher. I am blessed beyond words.

My goal with this 8-week history/theology course is not to have the students walk away well versed in the life of Thomas Jackson, he is just the platform. The goal is to have them leave with a greater appreciation for the fearlessness and strength that can be achieved through a resolve to live according to the Word, and how that can be applied in our own lives. The key question is what makes a man stand like a stone wall on a battlefield? The answer in my opinion is faith. I’ll let you know how the dinner and introductory session goes. The following class we will be watching ‘Still Standing’ before diving right into the book and workbook in anticipation of touring the Jackson Shrine at the end of the 8 weeks.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be driving around Fredericksburg delivering complimentary copies of “Houses of the Holy” along with party invitations and promo packets to the downtown churches as well as my friends at the National Park Service. I should also be getting some feedback on my proposal for the 19th-century baseball tournament from our local Sesquicentennial County Fair Sub-Committee of which I have been asked to assist. Right now however... it's naptime... (yawn)

Just a quick post today. I'm off to a meeting with the local 2009 County Fair sub-committee at the CW Life Museum...

Here in Fredericksburg we are very fortunate to have some excellent regional cable shows that highlight many of our local artists, musicians, authors, and historians. One of my personal favorites is produced and distributed by the Central Rappahannock Regional Library and features fascinating interviews with local residents in a variety of historic locations. Titled “CRRL Presents,” this weekly cable show is produced by staff at the library and features one-on-one interviews and programs about the library and area. Topics include artisan crafts, theater, museums, bluegrass music, fine dining, healthy tips for living and more. You can watch past shows via their online archives here.

In the past, I have praised the Fairfax County's cable-access, which features ten brilliant, one-hour Civil War documentaries that were produced by Dr. James I. Robertson Jr. and the Blue Ridge PBS. I have long wished that the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania area were able to follow suite. There have been some excellent documentaries shot locally by independent film companies such as Wide Awake Films and Franklin Springs Family Media and the National Park Service has produced some high-quality programs as well (John Hennessey’s film on the wartime experiences of local civilians is fantastic), but outside of those and the occasional mention on shows like “CRRL Presents,” the treasure trove of historical subject matter is far too often ignored.

This is a topic for conversation that I seem to have again and again with local museum, tourism, and roundtable officials. Perhaps someone will take the initiative and make a serious effort to get some homegrown historical shows on the local dial. Until then, I recommend checking out “CRRL Presents” on COX Cable and the Blue Ridge “Civil War” series on FIOS.

“Author Michael Aubrecht brought enlightenment and intrigue to the Manassas Museum through his presentation on his book The Southern Cross: a Civil War Devotional that left his audience eager to learn more, and we await his return with his new book. Michael is invited back to the Manassas Museum anytime because he proved to be well prepared and educated presenter; he brought his own presentation, he arrived at the specified time, he listened to the audience’s stories without hesitation, was well spoken, and receptive to the audience’s questions.”