Hi Guys,

There is not a conspiracy underway amongst academics to rewrite the war in a "PC" way as you fellas seem to fear. Academic history is based on evidence. Historians weigh the evidence and form interpretations based on that evidence. Interpretations change over time, that is the definition of historiography. The profession is not only large enough to accomodate different voice, but it actually thrives on different interpretations.

To argue that mainstream Civil War scholars shape their interpretations to fit some PC version of the war so their peers will accept them is a stretch. If someone praised the institution of slavery, they would understandably be dismissed by their peers, just as I suspect the general public would dismiss them. There are fine scholars who research and write on the Confederacy and are highly regarded among their peers. Gary Gallagher, Emory Thomas, William J. Cooper, and Ed Ayers all come to mind as highly-regarded scholars.

Since George brought up our conversations, I too will draw on them as an example. I thoroughly enjoyed my exchanges with Mr. Purvis. I thought we each conducted ourselves admirably. We kept it professional and agreed to disagree on most issues. I entertained no fantasies about "converting" George to my side; I merely wanted to give the other side of the coin. Mr. Purvis did a fantastic job of giving me the other side to my arguments. What good is it to only talk to people who share your views? Why read a book that merely confirms everything you already know? You might remain comfortable doing so, but you would be denying yourself the ability to grow.

I suspect George and I could talk for hours nonstop and never run out of things to say. I also suspect that neither party would walk away from the conversation thinking unkindly of the other party. We respectfully disagree, that's all. The Civil War has been over for 142 years. Our forebearers waged war against one another because they couldn't agree on things. We have come a long way since then, but I think it would be asking quite a bit of us in 2007 if we were required to accept the same interpretation of the the causes, course, and consequences of the American Civil War.

Anyway, that's my take on things.

Best,
Sam.