1924: HISTORICAL RESEARCH: FACTUAL OR FICTIONAL?

 

 Being an Historian is not an easy task. Hours and hours of research are an integral part of the process, along with close attention to the credibility of the source of material. Over the years and even into this year of 2014, we hear, see, and read about "Revisionist History." Back in 1924, as seen in the two graphics above, the subject again came up as schools across America were involved in a controversial effort to choose books; in this case relating largely to the Revolutionary War. Were you to pickup a number of vintage history books written and published by British authors and publishers, you would probably find discrepancies in the history books as written by American authors as to the events which took place during the Revolutionary War. Likewise, with German publishers of vintage accounts of the Hessians at Trenton during that fateful Christmas day, 1776, I would expect to read conflicting historical accounts from the Hessian side of the ledger. Accordingly, whenever there are conflicting accounts of an historical event, both sides should be included in the research. 

Anonymous said...

Tom, we can't ignore the fact the the British took advantage of twisting and exploiting historic facts in any way they could. One of their favorite and effective tactics was the dissemination of maps that showed British control or areas they in fact had no control or dominance but when they did intervene in with military force maps were consulted and it seemed they owned the contested property to begin with. The McMahon Line in India was one such example and of course many still question the legitimacy of the Balfour Accord that established the state of Israel. My sources for such information were my Geo courses at Trenton State College, hardly a radical institution.

Ed Millerick

Friday, May 23, 2014

Tom, after I posted this I did bring back some memories of my vacations to the Republic and to the North of Ireland, to the point that my wife, of Norwegian persuasion thought I was exaggerating till she accompanied me. In London the customs clerk at the airport refused to stamp my passport when I indicated that I would only be in England a single day in response to the question "How long will you be in the UK/" as we were catching a ferry to Dublin and only stamped it with a thunderous roar when I requested to see a supervisor. Another time when leaving the North in Derry/Londonderry I was again detained at a heavily armed checkpoint when I was again asked "how long will you be in UK"; this is akin to returning to the US from Canada and having a Canadian customs officer asking how long you will be in Canada, while you are parked on the Rainbow Bridge just yards from the border line. Having time to kill waiting for a friend, I thought I'd drive to the border of Scotland, I drove the main highway and scenic coast road but alas not a single sign. Later, my hosts informed me that this was part of the subtle ways used to suppress any notions of national identity. Later, I found that my actual name is not Millerick, but O'Maoilgheric and was changed by the English during a period of "The Troubles".

Ed O'Maoilgheric

It brought to mind your comment some years back when a teacher stressed that your name was Glover, as in the apparel worn on the hands, and not to sound like clover.

 

Tom Glover said...

FASCINATING STORY, ED. BY THE WAY, I HAVE ALWAYS PRONOUNCED MY LAST NAME GLOVER AS IN CLOVER. HOWEVER, THE TRUE PRONUNCIATION IS "GLUVVER."However, I just can't bring myself to sing "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf CLUVVER;" doesn't cut it.

 

Tom Glover said..

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Great input Ed, Thanks very much.

Friday, May 23, 2014