Book Update

I can now reveal the big news for "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House, the book has been picked up by Savas Beatie LLC which will publish the book as an ebook, a print book is planned next if the sales for the ebook are good.  Production is moving quickly, I will be announce the date for release when it becomes available.

From Phantoms and Monsters

Just had to share the ad for my appreance on Beyond the Edge on Sunday June 8, 2014 at 8:00 PM EST

Join Eric, Lon & Sean as we welcome historian, lecturer & author Michelle L. Hamilton to 'Beyond The Edge' Radio.

CLICK HERE and join us LIVE in the chat room

Michelle L. Hamilton earned her master's degree in history from San Diego State University in 2013. Her work can be seen in the magazine The Citizens' Companion. Fascinated with the American Civil War and the life of Abraham Lincoln since as long as she could remember Hamilton pursued her love of history by working as a docent at the Whaley House Museum in Old TownSan Diego. While working at the Whaley House, Hamilton became fascinated with the unknown world of the paranormal after having numerous personal experiences. 

After being admitted into San Diego State University’s graduate history department, Hamilton found a way to combine her love for history and the paranormal through her groundbreaking research into Abraham and Mary Lincoln’s interest in Spiritualism during the Civil War. In her free time, Hamilton is a Civil War living historian. Born and raised in California, Hamilton now resides in Ruther Glen, Virginia. "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House is her first book. You can follow her at her blog http://michelle-hamilton.blogspot.com.

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Phantoms & Monsters: Strange Encounters
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Beyond The Edge

This Sunday, June 8, at 8:00 EST, I have the pleasure of being a guest on the internet radio show Beyond the Edge where I will be discussing my book "I Would Still Be Drowned in Tears": Spiritualism in Abraham Lincoln's White House, along with some of the paranormal activity I have experienced working at the Whaley House Museum in San Diego, CA and while visiting the Jennie Wade House in Gettysburg, PA.

Don't worry if you can't listen live, the show will be available on a free podcast.
http://www.beyondtheedgeradio.com/
http://www.para-x.com/
http://www.phantomsandmonsters.com/

Update

I have not updated this blog in over a month, and in the passing time a lot has happened.  On April 28, 2014, I packed my bags and moved with my parents and moved from San Diego, CA to Ruther Glen, VA--a move of over 3,000 miles!  Now I am located in the heart of the Civil War nestled between Fredericksburg, VA and Richmond, VA--in this area alone four major battles were fought.

Upon my arrival in Virginia, I was able to attend my first major Civil War re enactment, the 150th commemoration of the Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania  Court House.  It was an amazing experience and I had the chance to meet new friends and the people who publish my articles at The Citizens' Companion.

Below is a photo of me at the tent for The Citizens' Companion holding the issues that feature my articles--and my next article is coming in the next issue.

149th Anniversary

In honor of the 149th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's death, here are photos of me placing flowers at Lincoln's tomb in October 2012.

Book Review: Two New Books Detail Stonewall Jackson's Death

Dr. Mathew W. Lively provides a detailed analysis of the death of Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in his excellent study Calamity at Chancellorsville: The Wounding and Death of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson.  Beginning with Jackson's reunion with his wife Mary Anna and his infant daughter Julia, Lively brings Jackson to life in a new way for me.  Personally, Stonewall Jackson had never inspired much interest besides his famous eccentricities and his deep Christian faith as shown in the 2003 film "Gods and Generals."  Under Lively's skillful hands, Stonewall Jackson emerged as a loving husband and father who spent the days before his wounding bonding with his baby.

This sweet moment of domestic tranquility is sadly brought to an end by the cruelty of war.  The Battle of Chancellorsville would go down as Stonewall Jackson's greatest moment, but the glory only lasted a few hours when the general was wounded in a friendly fire incident.  Lively does an excellent job describing the events of the battle and Jackson's wounding.  Lively takes the reader through all the conflicting accounts of Jackson's wounding and patiently lays out the evidence that supports his interpretation of events.  Of particular note was the argument over where the wounding actually took place and the debate over how many times Jackson actually fell from the stretcher.  Dr. Lively, a medical doctor, then details Jackson's wounds and the medical treatment that the General received.  It is this part of the book that Dr. Lively really showcases his skills--the doctor clearly and in lay person terms explained the nature of Jackson's wounds and the forms of treatment available in 1863.  Following his wounding, Jackson was moved to Guiney Station where he rested in an outbuilding on Fairfield plantation.  At first it appeared that Jackson was recovering, but within days of his arrival at Fairfield Jackson began to show signs of pneumonia.  Despite the efforts of his medical team, Stonewall Jackson died on Sunday, May 10, 1863.

Dr. Lively's account is the most detailed examination of Jackson's wounding, illness, and death in print.  The author spent several years researching and writing this book and the results testify to his commitment to the subject.  The author's depiction of Stonewall's death is particularly touching, and regardless on what one thinks about the cause Jackson fought for--his deep Christian faith and the dignity in which he faced his death are indeed admirable.  An almost minute-by-minute account, Calamity at Chancellorsville is a gripping read. 

Also of particular interest is Chris Mackowski and Kristopher D. White's The Last Days of Stonewall Jackson: The Mortal Wounding of the Confederacy's Greatest Icon part of Savas Beatie's engaging "Emerging Civil War Series."  While as not as in-depth as Dr. Lively's book, Mackowski and White's study is still an engaging read and deserves a place on the shelf of every reader fascinated by the Civil War.  Of particular note is the differing interpretations of the number of times Jackson fell from his stretcher--clearly the debate is still being waged.  Where The Last Days of Stonewall stood out for me was the covering of the history of Fairfield Plantation and the Chandler family which called the place home.  The appendices at the end are of particular note with thoughtful essays on Jackson's legacy and the history of the markers commemorating Jackson's wounding and amputated arm.
      

Book Review: Southern Cross: Annuit Coeptis

Received an ARC through Goodreads Firstreads.

July 2, 1863. General Longstreet convinces General Lee to flank the Union Army, preventing the disastrous Pickett's charge and changing the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg. With the Confederate victory, the North is thrown in chaos and congress hands power over to General McClellan and President Lincoln is banished to Chicago, IL. In the West, General Grant continues the fight against the South, despite McClellan's peace agreement with the Confederacy. Back in Gettysburg a group of UCCT soldiers are being held as POWs and are facing the frightening possibility of being returned to slavery. The realization that Northern blacks captured by the Confederacy are being sent into slavery makes a Southern captain question his commitment to the cause At the same time a French born Union lieutenant is battling the Confederates in the Pennsylvania countryside. In New York City a fiery Republican senator and his daughter rally the faithful against the South and McClellan. 

This is the premise of Dorvall's alternative history graphic novel Southern Cross: Annuit Coeptis part one of the seven volume CSA Confederate State of America series. Dorvall skillfully employs a cast of real and fictional characters in this very dark version of the Civil War. Renne's illustrations are stark and at times graphic, which perfectly matches Dorvall's dialogue. This is a chilling portrait of a country on the precipice of destruction. Highly recommended for fans of alternation/speculative fiction, I am eagerly awaiting for the next installment.