GDG- Re:Shelby Foote took perfectly legal advantage

[DShultz180 at aol.com]

> <<you completely miss my point!  I wasn't being "smug" or "elitist" when I 
> pointed out some of Foote's factual errors regarding the Gettysburg Campaign 
> found in his trilogy.>>
> 
Shelby Foote took perfectly legal advantage of those who poured hundreds of 
hours and thousands of dollars into research. Whither it personal or an 
institution the work and words they publicly supplied through publishing provided 
Foote with all he needed. 

During casual conversation following a dinner the late DR. Richard Rollins 
asked Foote why he assumed his work creditable and worthwhile. This was the 
Richard Rollins we all come to knew and who debated us on the GDG just as lively. 
Foote looked at Rollins and simply asked him if he considered his own work 
creditable. The doctor replied that his research and notes were as close to the 
fact as possible. Foote said something like, "I agree that is why I will have 
no problem using it. And although I might explain your theory a bit different 
am I not entitled to an opinion? Besides what you research and write, 
especially that from personal diaries, journals and memoirs are they not script placed 
on paper from someone you have trusted to be truthful."

All this was done in Foote's casual manner which brought a few pip -- pips 
and here-heres from admiring enthusiasts. All one has to do is look at Rollins' 
work titled "Pickett's Charge: Eyewitness Accounts" to see that that is 
exactly what the doctor did. I was there during the research and work and I can 
steadfastly say without doubt had Foote used any of Rollins' notes or words he 
would have been pretty much right-on. Foote's formula. His, or some aides, 
interpretation as to what the scholars scribed ... and some grand editing. Thank God 
for editors. 

I have since ushered the thought that Foote's analogy was well said thus I 
can live with it.   Right or wrong, close or far, who cares, his work brought 
thousands of readers into the folds of American History. Enjoy the read.

Dave S.



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