Comments on: Sullivan Ballou Redux

By: Craig Swain

Craig Swain — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:09:12 +0000

I guess to each his own, but I’d sit and listen to her sing the phone book.

Then again, I’ve asked Celtic Women if they could cover the US Tax Code….

By: Chris Evans

Chris Evans — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:37:09 +0000

Thanks Harry,
I’ll try to dive into it in the near future. I had read that the First Bull Run part was a sizable part of the book itself. I see that you are reading ‘In Camp and Battle with the Washington Artillery’. I purchased that book last year and have really enjoyed reading it. It really contains some classic anecdotes of the Army of Northern Virginia. I love the part at Appomattox with Custer and Longstreet. Something about the artillerists in the ANV made them good writers: Porter Alexander, Poague, and Owen are really wonderful to read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Chris

By: Harry Smeltzer

Harry Smeltzer — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:24:11 +0000

Uneven. Way to much “might have beens” and “probablies” and “must haves”. Lots of filler. LOTS of mistakes in the Bull Run part. But also some good stuff, background on Rhode Island and on the 2nd RI, and on the Ballou family.

I read the WHOLE thing.

By: Chris Evans

Chris Evans — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:12:06 +0000

Harry,
What was your overall impression of Robin Young’s ‘For Love and Liberty: The Untold Civil War Story of Major Sullivan Ballou and His Famous Love Letter’? It seems impressive at least in its doorstopper size.
Thanks for the post,
Chris

By: Harry Smeltzer

Harry Smeltzer — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:29:04 +0000

Now that I think of it, that wasn’t McCullough who read the letter…it was the late actor Paul Roebling.

By: steve keating

steve keating — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:22:18 +0000

I meant ‘he’ from the Ken Burns documentary. I really haven’t listen to the opera version, as I’m not that big on it either. That makes me a cultural Neanderthal, I guess.

By: Harry Smeltzer

Harry Smeltzer — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:38:07 +0000

Me either. It kind of reminds me of a song on Alanis Morrisette’s second album. But I’ve never been big on opera or operatic voice (‘cept Mario Lanza and a good beer drinkin’ song!)

By: cenantua

cenantua — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:30:35 +0000

I’m just not as moved by this rendition, not to mention that it is wayyy off the hook, but that’s just my opinion.

By: Harry Smeltzer

Harry Smeltzer — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:55:22 +0000

I’m thinking you meant “she” instead of “he” too? Or are you referring to the David McCullough reading from the Ken Burns documentary?

By: steve keating

steve keating — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:32:20 +0000

Sorry, ment choke instead of chock.