Parallel Tracks

Three significant activities have dominated the last three weeks, all on parallel tracks and all a multi-tasking test.

Priority one is the writing of the preface. This includes an introduction and a description about how this volume came together. The majority of my time has been spent laboring over this task, and it was completed this morning. I am especially pleased with the first statement, inspired by the writings of Carlyle and Macaulay: “The history of the Civil War is the stories of its soldiers.”

As I drafted the preface, feedback on the manuscript began to flow in from the twenty-plus individuals who received in at the end of last year. I’ve evaluated numerous comments and have made revisions accordingly. This is an ongoing process.

The Web site has been revised to give equal weight to both books. I reorganized the navigation. It is comprised of nine main links, grouped in three sections: Confederates, federals, and general (Home, About the Author, and “The Art of the Carte”). I also created a static home front image to promote both books. It replaces the Union book trailer, which is now one of the nine links. Faces of War 4.0 made its debut yesterday.