<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Quantrill Of Missouri : A Boring & Inessential Book
Review: A book scribed about one of the most misunderstood and bravehearted military leaders ever to have ridden in defense of his country and beliefs - Captain William Clarke Quantrill. Based on 50+ years of personal in-depth research into the Missouri Partisan Rangers, I found this book to be a quite irksome, "cut and paste", rehashing effort. Relying almost entirely on previously written manuscripts, novels and personal accounts of such men as John McCorkle, William Gregg, John Newman Edwards, etc. Thereupon, if you are looking for new, groundbreaking information - this is not what you quest. So called "highlights" of this work include such monumental information as the benighted tidings of such matters as to what score Captain Quantrill is cogitated to have made on a modern WAIS test, amongst other such ineffectual drivel. All in all, a book that's "core" materials are already present in practically all arduous Border War aficionados in their libraries via the previously mentioned works that this book is essentially based on. Very, very little new and pointful information here. Additionally and altogether importantly, the photography section takes climacteric historic liberties in offering a selection of images that are purported to be of famous Missouri Partisan Rangers. Yet, the surpassing amount of provided images are not documented, or proven authentic in any semblance of reliable manner so as to delineate them as credible. Provenance and foundation are ostensibly unheard in this presentation. While a very smallish smattering of provided imagery are correctly identified, the vast majority are unfounded, groundless and highly impugnable and problematic. Yet, so as not to completely blitz a book composed about a great man - the author is to be credited with having not taken the time worn, politically correct Yankee attitude about the Missouri Partisan Ranger. The author has shown Captain Quantrill to be a man of integrity, humanity and critical historic importance - instead of replaying the volumes of hogwash and blather that are abundantly available concerning Captain Quantrill throughout the past 135+ years. Ergo, am quite disappointed in the end result of this work after all the hyperbole and anticipation of this book's release. Captain Quantrill and the Missouri Partisan Rangers were the greatest heroes known to American patriotism and are most deserving of a novel exposing the new information this book was touted as to be offering. Yet, it merely advances information heretofore written by other famous and historic persona as well as authors whom had first hand knowledge and inwardness with Captain Quantrill. 2 Thumbs Down...
Rating:
Summary: A profound disappointment
Review: As a long-time researcher and board member of a historical organization that focuses on the life and career of William Clarke Quantrill, I was looking forward to the publication of this book with great anticipation, I was profoundly disappointed. Peterson accepts many extremely dubious accounts of the former guerrillas as fact, failing to take into consideration that most were written forty to sixty years after the fact, and that only two or three of the guerrillas' accounts do not demonstrate a tainting from John Newman Edwards' 1877 "Noted Guerrillas" or from their contacts with William Connelley as he gathered material for his 1910 "Quantrill and the Border Wars." He commits a cardinal sin early in the book when he states: "From Lawrence, Kansas, he [Quantrill] wrote to his mother on July 30, 1859, that a friend and he were attacked by a band of jayhawkers on the banks of the Little Cottonwood River and robbed of their horses and all their possessions. Quantrill explained that he was 'hunting away from the camp about a mile and a half & hearing the firing hurried to camp in time to see my friend lying on the ground apparently dead but still breathing with difficulty-having been shot 3 times, his leg broke below the knee, shot in the thigh with 7 iron slugs & last shot through the body with an arrow.'" In writing of the attack on Quantrill and his friend, Peterson maintains the attack was carried out by jayhawkers, and continues thereafter to defend the historically discounted story of Quantrill exacting revenge, one by one, on them. He edited out the parts of the letter that indicated the attack was the work of Indians. Nowhere in text of the original is any mention of the Little Cottonwood River or of jayhawkers. The letter's full account of the incident reads: "I am now in Lawrence after having spent over $300 & many a day & night when I expected either to be killed or freeze to death & at last when nearly in the settlements to have my horse and all taken from me & a companion of mine shot in 3 different places & left for dead & all that saved my head was I was out hunting away from the camp about a mile and a half & hearing the firing hurried to camp in time to see the indians driving off our horses & my friend lying on the ground apparently dead but still breathing with difficulty-having been shot 3 times, his leg broke below the knee, shot in the thigh with 7 iron slugs & last shot through the body with an arrow which I first thought would
kill him but he lives yet & if taken care of properly will be as well as ever in 6 or 8 weeks. I hardly know what to do at present nor where to go but in my next letter I will be able to tell you some more. I think my friend & myself will make the government pay us for our losses by the Indians if possible when he gets well." In his final chapter, he states, "Frank James surrendered to authorities soon after his brother's death with the promise that he be allowed to bury his brother." He fails to cite a source. Jesse was killed on April 3, 1882, and Frank did not surrender until six months later, on October 5, 1882. Peterson's failure to cite a source may be explained by this transcript of what Stacy Keach (portraying Frank James) said as he surrendered at the end of the 1980 movie, The Long Riders: "My name is Frank James. I came here to turn myself in. Here's my gun. I want something in return. I want to be able to bury my brother." Sandwiched between these unforgivable examples is extremely sloppy research resulting in so many easily verifiable errors and distortions that this book has no credibility. Those searching for historical accuracy must look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Book Review: Quantrill of Missouri
Review: Finally a book about Quantrill based on truth and not the usual lies, half-truths and sensationalism that unqualified and irresponsible writers usually write. An excellent account by Petersen using the accounts of those who knew Quantrill personally and not by his enemies who never had met him. This book contains more new facts than anything previously written. Looking at Quantrill through the eyes of a military man only makes sense and the author's research is superb. Even without the sensationalism Quantrill's life is highly captivating.
Rating:
Summary: Hallmark Book
Review: From a woman's point of view this book was fascinating reading. Mr. Petersen's book is by far the best book yet written about William Clarke Quantrill. Not only his new insights but his understanding and experience as a combat veteran enables Petersen to give the reader a clear understanding why guerrillas fought so desperately. For the first time a complete account has been compiled written in a clear and easy-to-read style professionally edited and produced by a leading publisher. Reviews by critics who claim their self ascribed knowledge, is immaterial compared to someone who has done years of research and has tangible proof to show for it. Critics who once lamblasted Quantrill's men were labeled as unqualified and irresponsible. Modern reviewers lacking education or credentials are still critical of anything not demonizing Quantrill by showing their bitterness and mean-spiritness in what Petersen has expertly portrayed in his new book. One man with courage makes a majority and I'm glad Petersen had the determination and fortitude to see this work put into print. It should set a new standard for books about the border war in Missouri.
Rating:
Summary: Hallmark Book
Review: From a woman's point of view this book was fascinating reading. Mr. Petersen's book is by far the best book yet written about William Clarke Quantrill. Not only his new insights but his understanding and experience as a combat veteran enables Petersen to give the reader a clear understanding why guerrillas fought so desperately. For the first time a complete account has been compiled written in a clear and easy-to-read style professionally edited and produced by a leading publisher. Reviews by critics who claim their self ascribed knowledge, is immaterial compared to someone who has done years of research and has tangible proof to show for it. Critics who once lamblasted Quantrill's men were labeled as unqualified and irresponsible. Modern reviewers lacking education or credentials are still critical of anything not demonizing Quantrill by showing their bitterness and mean-spiritness in what Petersen has expertly portrayed in his new book. One man with courage makes a majority and I'm glad Petersen had the determination and fortitude to see this work put into print. It should set a new standard for books about the border war in Missouri.
Rating:
Summary: Quantrill of Missouri
Review: How refreshing to read a new offering on Quantrill and his Men. As a decendant from two of Quantrill's Men, I have been waiting for this arrival. Mr. Petersen has given a truthful and long awaited prospective on Quantrill the Man the Legend. I found this book to be truthful and informative. His indepth research on Quantrill and his Men proves worthy of his efforts and closer to the truth than any book I have read thus far on the Subject of Quantrill and his Men. Mr. Petersens personal experience in the USMC and warfair tactics of Guerilla Fighting makes his writting well recieved by this reader. Should anyone really want to know what made the Man and the Men, this a reading must.
Rating:
Summary: Quantrill in Missouri
Review: I am an avid reader and collector of W.C. Quantrill books, photographs and memorabilia. Consequently, I have read most of the former, "so called", biographies of William Clarke Quantrill published over many years. Paul Petersen's new book, Quantrill in Missouri, is by far the best I have read and, I believe, the best to date; the one for others to beat in the future! It is, finally, not a Politically Correct, Northern biased, Quantrill hating typical "biography". It is a biography written by a real, honest to goodness, special forces military man who knows
what guerrilla warfare is all about and how guerrilla warfare
REALLY IS fought. Colonel Quantrill and his Quantrill Raiders are described and judged from that basis and, I believe, we finally have a comprehensive and HONEST biography of William Clarke Quantrill, his men, his reasons for fighting, and his times. I commend Paul Petersen for his excellent research, body of work, and presentation and highly recommend this book as a MUST read to anyone seeking the real story behind the Missouri/Kansas border wars beginning in the 1850's and ending in 1865. The story about William Clarke Quantrill and the men who fought and died fighting beside him for what they believed in has finally been told.
Rating:
Summary: Most Excellent in 50 years!
Review: I have been reading and researching Quantrill and his guerrillas for just over 50 years. I have to say that Paul Peterson's book is the top in it's class. His research is outstanding as is his writing and the many new photographs he uses.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Inasmuch as this book is the only available work on Quantrill by a living author that does not demonize its subject, I was prepared to use this review to defend it from its attackers--until I tried to read the book. Quite aside from errors and apparently deliberate distortions of fact, not to mention photos of dubious origin, and regardless of the fact that the same information is available in "previously written manuscripts, novels and personal accounts" that you might be able to acquire for a few hundred dollars (if you can find them), the book is very poorly written.
The author has a plodding, soporific style that reminds one of the "begats" of the Bible in its endless, repetitious recitation of jayhawker atrocities--or of an old man on a park bench at the county courthouse repeating the same anecdotes and stories over and over, repeatedly making the same point again and again in the same words, or nearly the same. Frankly, I gave up somewhere just past the middle. Maybe it has a thrilling ending. But I doubt it.
Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking exploration, analysis, and life story
Review: Quantrill Of Missouri: The Making Of A Guerilla Warrior is a comprehensive, 504-page biography of William Clark Quantrill, the man who led deadly and effective guerilla campaigns on the side of the Confederacy during the darkest days of the Civil War. If history is written by the winners, then the winners have given Quantrill a brutal name indeed, as most accounts portray him as vicious, bloodthirsty, and merciless. Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran Paul R. Petersen seeks to uncover a more balanced and accurate perspective of Quantrill, one that weighs his actions as acts of war rather than of terror -- and often in response to severe brutality administered directly to the people he identified himself with. A thought provoking exploration, analysis, and life story, Quantrill Of Missouri is an invaluable contribution to Civil War Studies reading lists and Western Frontier Biography library collections.
<< 1 >>
| 
