Can I give a shout-out to John Meacham?

[nolabear]

I’ve watched him speak about John Lewis for days with such grace, such incredible respect and tenderness that he’s moved me to tears. That an “old white guy” is clearly given space among all the black commentators and observers with great regard says so much about what it means to be an ally, one who can stay clear of posturing and performing, and just be humble and appreciative. It’s something to aspire to.

[H2O Man]

1. Recommended.

[Spazito]

2. I agree...

His love and respect for Congressman Lewis is very apparent and I love his personal stories about him, they are both moving and often humorous.

[HotTeaBag]

3. He wrote a book about Rep. Lewis so he spent a great deal of time with him

prior to his passing.

Meacham has a really good podcast 'Hope Through History' that I can't recommend enough. It's only six episodes or so and covers some really interesting topics - very well done.

I really like him - he reminds me of Shelby Foote from Ken Burns' Civil War.

[nolabear]

5. Thanks! Yes, he does remind me of Shelby Foote.

I’ll look for the podcast.

[HotTeaBag]

7. Oh great - you will not be disappointed.

It's a wonderful podcast - I just wish he did more episodes, but perhaps he will.

[mbusby]

13. This Shelby Foote?

I'll pass on him.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_Foote

[HotTeaBag]

16. Go ahead, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't care much about your opinion

if he was still alive - and since he's dead my guess is that he cares even less.

[NNadir]

18. However, Shelby Foote was clearly a racist.

To him, Fort Pillow was "no big deal," and his uncritical admiration for Nathan Bedford Forrest was very telling.

His books were exhaustive in a sense, but very much of the White Supremacist "Lost Cause" genre that Douglass Southall Freeman espoused.

Basically, both historians were very comfortable with human beings being treated like farm animals.

Alan Nolan did a great job in "Lee Considered" in taking down Freeman, and someone needs to do the same for Foote.

Ken Burns did not do history a favor in dragging that old racist out to discuss the Civil War.

[HotTeaBag]

20. Ken Burns made an outstanding, unrivaled documentary about the Civil War.

And Shelby Foote was the glue that held the film together.

I read here just today that Churchill was a racist too so I suppose he should be cancelled.

Perhaps you should be the one to 'take down' Mr. Foote - and if you have time go after Churchill as well, as someone has to.

[NNadir]

23. Oh please...

I am currently reading Andre Robert's biography of Churchill- Robert's clearly acknowledges Churchill's racism, but like many conservative biographers minimizes it to some extent.

Your comparison however is really silly however. Shelby Foote did not have mitigating aspects to his life, like say, courageously standing up to the most virulent (and racist) powers of his age. He was merely an old .an who wrote well to claim that virulent traitorous racists who committed murder were basically good guys.

I couldn't care less who is comfortable with that. But I am proud of the act that in any work of history I'm capable of moving beyond hero worship of either the historian or his or her subject into a realm of critical thinking.

[HotTeaBag]

24. You know, this whole side track of ridiculousness is simply because I said that

John Meacham reminds me of Shelby Foote - for his grasp of history and demeanor, not for his racist viewpoints.

But I doubt you read that far (or paid enough attention) in your effort to discredit Foote.

But carry on, the world needs book readers of your stature.

[blm]

26. Geez, people are reacting appropriately to YOUR reference

to Foote in this thread and you’re getting offensive with them.

[HotTeaBag]

28. Yeah, it was my reference.

And in context hardly the worst thing in the world.

Thank you for your input - I really appreciate it.

[NNadir]

27. I saw Burns and I've read Foote's book.

Last edited Mon Jul 27, 2020, 02:16 PM - Edit history (1)

I couldn't care less about your opinion of me, but if I were being compared to Foote, I wouldn't consider it a compliment.

Frankly I rather found Burn's series compelling and creative, but after the novelty wore off, I rethought my impression of it.

In later years I take my understanding of history more from the likes of David Bright than Foote.

I don't speak for Meachem of course, so perhaps he'd be flattered by the association, perhaps not.

Nobody is denying that Foote wrote well and with novelistic passion.

I am merely stating that Foote was a racist and that anyone reading his works needs to be aware of that.

It's pretty straight forward and clear. I am making no claim about you, although the offense you take at my remarks does create some impression of you in my mind.
I'm sure you couldn'tcare less, and I'm fine with that too.

[HotTeaBag]

29. OK, great.

Thank you for your input - I really appreciate it.

[onecaliberal]

4. I agree. I ordered his book about John Lewis yesterday.

[demmiblue]

6. His book about John Lewis is coming out in August.

https://www.amazon.com/His-Truth-Marching-Lewis-Power/dp/1984855026

I have always appreciated John Meacham's voice... he is a good man.

[nolabear]

10. I knew he had a book coming. Thanks for the details.

[pandr32]

17. I will order this now

Thank you!

[spanone]

8. K&R... Meacham is a sane voice in these insane times.

[Cracklin Charlie]

9. Southerners know.

John Lewis was on the front line of history.

[nolabear]

11. Yes he was. I grew up on the Gulf Coast

But I was born in small town cotton mill Alabama, where my mother’s people were. I know those people well. John Lewis was among the bravest against a terrible time and place.

[2naSalit]

12. K&R

[W_HAMILTON]

14. I love that guy.

He is always so well spoken and thoughtful and I always enjoy seeing him make appearances on the various MSNBC shows.

[lillypaddle]

15. Yes

John Meacham is a national treasure.

[mountain grammy]

19. K & R

[Sherman A1]

21. K&R

[JI7]

22. I always like hearing him speak on just about anything

[Joinfortmill]

25. I hear you

[Soxfan58]

30. Just started reading

Franklin and Winston