Harwell Award Winner: The Fight For the Old North State

I learned recently that The Fight For the Old North State is the 2020 winner of the Richard Barksdale Harwell Book Award, which is given annually by the Atlanta Civil War Round Table for the best book on a Civil War subject published in the preceding year. I'm thrilled and grateful to Round Table for this award. I look forward to speaking there in November.

Emerging Civil War Review of The Fight For the Old North State

Ryan Quint at Emerging Civil War has written a great review of The Fight For the Old North State. The full review is posted at the Emerging Civil War website. Here are some excerpts:

Newsome’s pages present a perfectly mastered monograph on the subject ... In summation, it is difficult to imagine any writer approaching the subject of the 1864 North Carolina Campaign with the same degree of thoroughness that Newsome has accomplished in this book. He has proven to be among the best Civil War authors writing today.

Upcoming Speaking Schedule

Photo by Skip Riddle

Over the last several months, I've had a great time speaking at various groups including the Pender CWRT in Rocky Mount, the Outer Banks CWRT, the Petersburg CWRT, and the New Bern Historical Society. I also want to thank Gerry Prokopowicz for having me on Civil War Talk Radio. I'm grateful for the recognition The Fight For the Old North State has received, including Best Book of the Year from Civil War Books and Authors. Thanks so much to everyone who has bought the book!

Here is the upcoming (and revised) speaking schedule. If you live near one of these places, please come by and say hello. Also, if your group is looking for speakers, please feel free to email me.

Old Baldy CWRT of Philadelphia - April 9, 2020
Wilmington (Delaware) CWRT - May 6, 2020
Charlottesville CWRT - May 18, 2020
Raleigh CWRT - June 15, 2020
Puget Sound (Seattle) CWRT - October 8, 2020
Richmond CWRT - April 13, 2021 

 

Thanks to the New Bern Historical Society

Many thanks to the New Bern Historical Society for a great program yesterday. It was an honor to deliver the Annual Ed Bearss Civil War Lecture at the N.C. History Center at Tryon Palace. There was a great, capacity crowd (about 200) at a fantastic venue.

Most of all, I enjoyed talking with so many knowledgeable people before and after the talk signing including Mickey Miller (the Society's Executive Director), Jim Hodges (the Society's Curator), Jim Reifinger, Steve Shaffer, David Skaggs, John Klecker, Jon Miller (New Bern Battlefield Park), Lindy Cummings (Tryon Palace), Alan Hawkins, Skip Riddle (Kinston CWRT), Steve Dembickie, and many others. I also want to give a special shoutout to my cousin, Asher Brinson, who attended as well.

Photo by Skip Riddle

Book of the Year: The Fight For the Old North State at Civil War Books and Authors

I learned today that The Fight For the Old North State was picked as the Book of the Year at the Civil War Books and Authors. Andrew Wagenhoffer, who publishes this excellent blog, reviewed the book earlier this year. I'm happy and honored at the recognition. I want to thank the University Press of Kansas and everyone who helped out with this project.