I was a history fanatic before I went to college. When I was in the Navy my locker was always stuffed full of history books, while most of my buddies had a more, shall we say, down to earth taste in literature. Then when I went to college I was in hog heaven. Four years to indulge my passion, so I learned Latin to read Caesar's own words, and learned German so I could read Rommel's "Light Infantry in the Attack," and Guderian's memoirs. Then when I went back in the service as an officer, it was back to morning reports and supply requisitions. But those four years in college are like a golden age in my otherwise disciplined, orderly life.

Now that I'm retired, I finally have the time to become totally immersed in my primary interest, which is the Trans-Mississippi theater of the Civil War.