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I am just back from an outstanding conference (November 7 - 9, 2008) in Clovis (Fresno), California. The theme this year was the Shenandoah Valley, and the two premier speakers included old friend Robert K. Krick and Jeffry Wert. You can read a write-up of the event here.
Contrary to what many on the East Coast believe, the Civil War is and has been alive and well here on the Left coast. The conference was well attended and the talks were generally outstanding. I have only missed three West Coast events since 1988, and seeing everyone each year is a wonderful experience. For the last decade or so I have acted as the conference's bookseller. I stepped in when Bob Younger of Morningside (who wore that hat for many years), could no longer easily travel so far.
San Joaquin Valley Civil War Roundtable hosted this event, as they have many others. Were it not for this hearty bunch of great people, this important conference may have faded away after the passing of its founder, Jerry Russell. Thanks guys and gals for all your hard work.
Next year, the San Jaoquin bunch is hosting the November West Coast conference again, with Chickamauga front and center as the major topic. (Coincidentally, our The Maps of Chickamauga is slated for a September release.) The speakers they have lined up are strong and thus far include Wiley Sword, Glenn Robertson, Jim Ogden (historian at the park), and many others. I urge everyone reading this to give serious thought about attending. The talks are always good, the facility is top-rate, the food is more than passable, and . . . and a side tour to Yosemite is being planned.
And we will be there with loads of signed books for sale.
--tps
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5 comments:
I'm so disappointed I missed the conference, couldn't get out of work. Did you hear Peter Cozzens' lecture? That was the one I really wanted to participate in. Hopefully we'll all get to hang out at next year's conference
Hi Mark
Do we know each other? Have you ever attended a WCC?
The conference was really good this year. Cozzens did not show up. I don't know when he cancelled; I was told he often does. (He did a similar thing to our round table at the last minute a decade ago after making unreasonable demands once we had booked him and rented a special hall. Never thought much of him personally after that episode.) But the attendees did not seem too disappointed since Krick and Wert more than amply filled his shoes.
Make sure and come next year.
Please feel free to post more often. You obviously have a lot of good things to contribute.
You have a nice blog. Had not seen it before. I will check it more often. Thanks for stopping by.
--tps
We've not met before, sorry didn't mean to sound too familiar. I only recently found out about the WCC, haven't had a chance to attend. Next year though.
Glad you enjoyed reading my blog, it's a great deal of fun writing. Would love your feedback as you read more of the posts.
Mark
Mark
email me at militarybooks@sbcglobal.net and let's establish contact.
--tps
Just sent you a test email...
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