Chalmers' book should be read as historical fiction, with stress on
the noun. Books such as Vidal's "Burr" may be read with some
confidence as to factual accuracy; Chalmers', with its invented cast
of characters, dialogue, and situations, should not.
Gerard K.
On May 11, 2006, at 12:00 AM, NYHIST-L automatic digest system wrote:
> There is 1 message totalling 61 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. "How The Irish Built The Erie" by Harvey Chalmers II
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Tue, 9 May 2006 21:21:08 -0400
> From: Dave Ruch <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: "How The Irish Built The Erie" by Harvey Chalmers II
>
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> I've had this book in my library for several years, but am just now =
> getting around to reading it this month. I've seen it listed in =
> countless places as a Non-Fiction book, yet it reads so much like =
> Fiction, or perhaps Historical Fiction, complete with quotations of =
> lengthy conversations between people in the 1810's and 20's, letters =
> between Canvass White and a bateaux boat keeper on the Mohawk River
> with =
> language that seems much more like 1950 than 1818, etc.
>
> Do others have experience with this book &/or author? If so, I'd
> love =
> to hear your comments.
>
> Dave R.
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> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I've had this book in my library
> for =
> several years,=20
> but am just now getting around to reading it this month.
> I've =
> seen it=20
> listed in countless places as a Non-Fiction book, yet it reads so
> much =
> like=20
> Fiction, or perhaps Historical Fiction, complete with quotations of=20
> lengthy conversations between people in the 1810's and 20's, =
> letters=20
> between Canvass White and a bateaux boat keeper on the Mohawk River
> with =
>
> language that seems much more like 1950 than 1818, etc.</FONT></DIV>
> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Do others have experience with this =
> book &/or=20
> author? If so, I'd love to hear your comments.</FONT></DIV>
> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
> <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Dave R.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
>
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> End of NYHIST-L Digest - 9 May 2006 to 10 May 2006 (#2006-38)
> *************************************************************
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