After reading comments on Cliopatria, The Apocalyptic Historian, and Slate regarding Mr. Foote's career and writing I feel compelled to revist my previous posting upon hearing of his death.
Although I was not really raised in the South, I do come from a Southern family. I also come from a military family. As such, I am conflicted about slavery, the Civil War, and my ancestors' role in it. On the one hand, I see slavery for the evil it was (and is), understand its role causing the Civil War, and wonder why two great-great-great grandfathers chose to fight for the Confederacy (they left no letters or journals behind, and owned no slaves). On the other, I don't see slavery as the only source of division bewteen North and South during the first half of the 19th century (but I don't accept the hoary old States' Rights argument). I admire brave men who fought for their convictions on both sides, even though I certainly condemn the institution of slavery, the racist ideals of the Confederacy, and the acts of outright treason that secession represents.
To many, Shelby Foote represents an unabashed acceptance of the myth of the Lost Cause, and the glorious faux chivalry of Confederate officers that many Southerners stiill cling to. It may be that he represents those things, but he also shows us something else - that there are more ways to approach the telling of History than the dry academic journal, or the massive tome. Shelby Foote's use of primary sources and anecdotes to draw a compelling picture of the people and events of the Ciil War reminded me that history is more than just names, dates, and a dry recital of political events. History is made by people. Not just the generals and the politicans, but the ordinary Joes, and the experiences of just about anyone may provide insight on what happened in the past and why.
Shelby Foote's narrative of the Civil War, and his appearance in Ken Burns' documentary, gave me some insight into my own heritage. In the absence of letters and journalsfrom my Confederate ancestors, Mr. Foote's compelling use of primary sources provides me with some additional insight into why Abijah Reeder, one of the great-grandfathers in question, marched off to war with his brothers. Unfortunately, most academic historians just can't (or won't) do that.
That's how Shelby Foote inspired me to continue work in History. He doesn't have all, or even the right answers regarding the Civil War, but his work reminded me that there's more than just the dry bits. He also reminded me that we need to make real history more accessible to students and other "regular" Americans. Finding the balance between Shelby Foote's story telling, and meaningful analysis is a worthy goal. Only by finding that balance can we have meaningful discussions among professional Historians, and make History compelling to "regular" people at the same time.