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From:
John Maass <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:00:30 -0500
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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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