I don't think Jan Lewis' criticism stands or falls on the basis of her comment regarding Monticello as "above the clouds." I've read the reviews of Henry's new book with some interest, but was unable to distinguish in them anything that he has added to the very fine analyses of slavery at Monticello produced by Lucia Stanton (some of it also written for a popular audience, and prominently available at Monticello). Since I have not yet read the book, I can't draw my own independent conclusions--but part of Lewis' criticism is that Henry's book is derivative. Lewis also makes a number of more substantial criticisms than that--including charges of misuse of evidence.
___________________________
Kevin R. Hardwick
Associate Professor
Department of History, MSC 8001
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
________________________________________
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of John Maass [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 10:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Jan Lewis on Master of Monticello
Mr. Kilby--a literary device does NOT turn a work of history into historical fiction. A literary device can be used in non-fiction to make the story (can we still say that in the history field?) more engaging, compelling, readable, enjoyable, etc...
Yours, JM
John Maass, Ph.D.
614-506-9537 (c)
New book project: http://tinyurl.com/93ahom4
On 10/18/12, Craig Kilby<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
My own opinion is that a book should be a work of historical fact, or historical fiction, but it cannot be both.* To quote a work that is historical fiction as historical fact is a bad mistake.
Craig Kilby
*This is not to say that work of historical fact cannot be written in an engaging manner, as those who know me well can attest
On Oct 17, 2012, at 5:15 PM, John Maass wrote:
> Is not Jan Lewis being a bit overblown when she faults the author for saying that Monticello was above the clouds? It is an obvious literary device, and I doubt it is meant to be taken literally by the author. Some of Jefferson's visitors also described the spot in similar terms, if I am not mistaken. If Lewis can't recognize this kind of writing, esp. in an intro., I'd hate to read one of her books....
>
> John Maass, Ph.D.
> 614-506-9537 (c)
> New book project: http://tinyurl.com/93ahom4
>
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