Hey there Friends and Readers, Podcasts are awesome! When Apple first thought of the iPod it was intended primarily for the music world. Perhaps Apple didn’t anticipate the universal popularity and acceptance of the talk show format. I was thrilled that Jerry Christianson invited me to guest on his show “The Seminary Explores Podcast,” to talk about the significance of Little Big Horn Battle. Over the past 140 years, the Battle of Little Big Horn is one that is studied, analyzed, argued and scrutinized repeatedly. I suspect that every blade of grass on this battlefield is somehow controversial. It has been a fascination of mine for well over thirty years. I must admit my feelings about Custer and the Battle have changed as my research intensified, and my knowledge increased. Jerry and I discussed Custer’s character. On the one hand, it radiated charisma and confidence, a certain swagger, characteristic of cavalry officers, and on the other demonstrated an egotistical attitude, refusal to accept advice, and failure to communicate well with subordinate officers. We covered various strategies and approaches of the US Government in its desire to settle the West. One of the most interesting topics was the plight of the Indians after winning the battle. They were pursued relentlessly by the US Army until many settled on the Great Reservation, and many more fled North across the Canadian border. We discussed the differences in the approach to what was seen as the “Indian problem” between the US and Canadian Governments. The US being more a military approach and Canada being more an obey-the-law police type approach. I discuss this further in my book. I will let you know as soon as the Podcast is on line. I hope you will tune in and enjoy these exciting and interesting topics
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Hello Friends, and Readers, the past weekend was one that we always look forward to spending with fellow authors and the staff of Schiffer Publishing. Each year Schiffer hosts a family-style get-together for its authors, distributors, agents and staff. We get to meet and socialize with everyone that makes publishing possible for us. I got a chance to talk with my editor, Bob Biondi, and tell him that he did a super job on the layout of my latest book Artifacts of the Battle of the Little Big Horn: Custer, the 7th Cavalry & the Lakota and Cheyenne Warriors. Also, I got to thank Jamie Elfrank, the marketing champ, for all her efforts during my June trip to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana and to solve a few current problems. She really came through. Of course, it was especially great to talk to Pete Schiffer, CEO, about the book and all the upcoming events. A couple of my fellow authors shared a sneak preview of their soon to be published books: Discovering Princeton, by Jennifer Jang and Wiebke Martens and Gulls of North America, by Fred Shaffer. It was a fun day, great food and a wonderful time to catch up with the folks at Schiffer, thank a lot of people that make “it” all happen, and make new friends. Hello Friends and Readers
I’m excited about the Catoctin Colorfest! Thanks to Jim Rada, a friend and fine author, I will be at the 53rd Catoctin Colorfest. We will share a booth and table at the event to talk about and sign our books. Colorfest takes place on October 8 & 9, 2016, in the Community Park on Frederick Road, Thurmont, MD. The hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day. Breakfast is available from various food vendors starting at 7:00 AM. A shuttle bus service is available from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Admission is free to Colorfest, but a nominal fee is charged at the parking locations throughout the town. In addition to Colorfest, there is a book event introducing “Artifacts of the Little Big Horn: Custer, the 7th Cavalry & the Lakota and Cheyenne Warriors,” on Friday, October 14th at Adams County Arts Center, 125 S. Washington Street, Gettysburg, PA. I will talk a bit about the new book and the rather amazing journey to its completion. Each attendee will receive a copy of the Little Big Horn book, which I will personalize and sign. There will be light fare, wine, and much socializing. We are also busy working on the schedule for various book fairs and signings during the latter part of 2016, and the entire next year, 2017. Just to name one, I will be setting up next to my good friend and awesome artist, Keith Rocco, at the World Model Expo in Chicago in July 2017. Hey there Readers and Friends,
Just thought I’d let you know, if you’re in the area on Thursday, August 18th, I’ll be at the Adams County Arts Council, 125 S. Washington St., from noon to about one o’clock. I will give a talk on “Writing Historical Fiction.” The discussion will cover the process of how to manage historical research; maintain historical accuracy; how to weave fictional characters among real historical personalities; write dialogue among those real historical personalities; and, how to treat accents and regional dialects. Finally, we'll discuss the obligation and responsibility of historical fiction writers to history, itself. Dear Friends and Readers: The Battle of the Little Bighorn was fought along the ridges, steep bluffs, and ravines of the Little Bighorn River, in south central Montana on June 25-26, 1876. I am honored and privileged to be here today, with my many friends – historians, scholars, authors, artists and visitors to the Battlefield. The National Park Service folks here at the Montana Battlefield have described it as: “The combatants were warriors of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, battling men of the 7th Regiment of the U.S. Cavalry. The Battle of the Little Bighorn has come to symbolize the clash of two vastly dissimilar cultures: the buffalo/horse culture of the northern plains tribes, and the highly industrial/agricultural based culture of the U.S., which was advancing primarily from the east coast. This battle was not an isolated soldier versus warrior confrontation, but part of a much larger strategic campaign designed to force the capitulation of the non-reservation Lakota and Cheyenne.” A fateful day for all so unfortunate to be at that place on that day.
Hello Readers and Friends, Joined everyone in Rapid City for the Little Big Horn Associates Conference and visited the historical sites. Toured the Custer camp of 1874 where gold was first found. Sorry, didn't find any to take home :-) Visited the Crazy Horse Monument, was in absolute awe along with everyone else. Arrived in Hardin on Sunday afternoon. Started to walk the Battlefield Monday. It was hot, but didn't make a difference we were all too immersed in "living the history." Hey, just got news from my publicist that I have a gig at the Gettysburg Heritage Center over the July 4th weekend. Maybe I'll see some of you then. In the meantime, I'm right here at the Little Big Horn Battlefield with my good friends along with Sandy Barnard, Paul Hedren, Jim Donovan, and the rest of the gang at the Dairy Queen! our nightly haunt.
Hi Folks,
Well, there’s the good news and the bad news. The good news is I have seen the galley proofs of Artifacts of the Little Big Horn it has met and exceeded my expectations. It is going to be a stunning book. The bad news is it is almost complete and in production...almost. Unfortunately, it will not be available for the 140th anniversary of the battle, and, in fact, the release date is late September 2016. I fought the hard fight to get it out in time, but my publisher’s cost and scheduling priorities won out. Undaunted, we hope to begin taking advance orders at the Little Big Horn Associates conference in Rapid City, SD, in mid-June, and at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument anniversary event near Hardin, Montana over the 25th of June. We will have advertising material so folks can take a peek at what is inside, and pre-order forms. I think you are going to love this book. |
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