16 April 2008 by Published in: Research and Writing 7 comments

Last week, I was contacted by a staff researcher at a TV production company that is producing shows for The Weather Channel. The concept for the series is intriguing. They’re producing shows to explore how the weather impacted certain major historic events. And one of the episodes will focus on how the weather impacted the retreat from Gettysburg. The researcher had contacted me to request a copy of One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863.

Not only does the series sound intriguing, the prospect of having our work mentioned in a major television production makes it all the more cool. Sarah Keeney, the marketing director for Savas-Beatie, shipped a copy of the bound galleys for the book to the research assistant, so we will see where it goes from here.

I’ve been a talking head once, in a production on John Buford in 1999, back in the days when The History Channel actually showed programs on history. That was great fun. I’d love to do it again. Who knows…maybe this program for the Weather Channel will present the opportunity to do so.

I will keep you advised as to the progress of the project as I know more.

Scridb filter

Comments

  1. Ken Noe
    Wed 16th Apr 2008 at 9:52 am

    Eric:

    Krick got off to a good start, but I said in a speech just weekend before last, there’s still room for a big book on the impact of weather in the war. Imagine the Kentucky Campaign without the drought, or Fort Henry not flooded. Armstead Robinson even suggested a few years ago that one of the internal reasons for Confederate defeat was a weather-related food shortage.

    Ken

  2. Wed 16th Apr 2008 at 10:40 am

    It may be away from the familiar cavalry topics, but I’d mention Mine Run to them. One cold night in the trenches sort of took the fight out of both sides. Everyone wants to cite the rains when discussing the impact of weather on the troops. I’ll say from my experience that rain could be overcome, but cold was a morale problem. And if it was cold AND wet….

  3. Wed 16th Apr 2008 at 11:23 am

    Eric,

    I’ve seen a few of those “How Weather Changes History” shows…they did one on the Bulge and several others. Ken’s comment that a really good and comprehensive assessment of weather in military history is well-taken…in addition to Krick’s “Weather in Virginia” have you seen the book “Mud: A Military History”? I wrote a short article on the role of weather and weathermen in WWII for a children’s history magazine…it’s a great subject.

    All My Best,

    Jim Schmidt

  4. Wed 16th Apr 2008 at 11:47 am

    Jim,
    Have you read the mud book? I’ve been debating whether to check it out. There is a variably interesting trend in publishing, taking a single factor (e.g. salt, mud, potatoes, etc.) and expounding upon its world influence.

    Drew

  5. Wed 16th Apr 2008 at 1:05 pm

    Congrats Eric. It is well-deserved. I’ve watched that program before. It is very good. And it will certainly get better after having your mug on it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Wed 16th Apr 2008 at 4:11 pm

    Drew – I’ve got “Mud” on my shelf but haven’t read it cover-to-cover yet…however, if you look through the C-SPAN BookTV archives you might still be able to find the talk the author gave…the book is informed by his experience as a veteran and does begin with an examination of the different kinds of mud (you’ll be surprised!).

    Good luck to you, Eric.

    All My Best,

    Jim

  7. Steve Basic
    Wed 16th Apr 2008 at 11:10 pm

    Eric,

    It really is a fine program and hope it works out. That said, it’s kinda funny that they don’t show history on The History Channel, and yet they do on The Weather Channel. ๐Ÿ™‚

    BTW, for those who have not seen the Episode of The Unknown Civil War Series which featured Eric talking about John Buford, it is one of the better episodes of the series. Have it on tape here, but has been ages since I watched it. IIRC, the talking head from Ohio had a bad head cold when interviewed, but perservered much like Buford did at Gettysburg.

    Regards from the Garden State,

    Steve Basic

Comments are closed.

Copyright ยฉ Eric Wittenberg 2011, All Rights Reserved
Powered by WordPress