Jeff Broome - Dog Soldier Justice

[Guest]

Curious if anyone here has read this book. What did you think of it? A local shop has it and it looks interesting. Just thought I'd throw the question out there before I buy it.

[Guest Guest]

This posting has been deleted because it was a personal attack and was not responsive to the question asked.

[markland]

I have it in a stack of other books yet to be read. It is an interesting subject, the capture and treatment by the Cheyenne of Susan Alderdice.

To "Guest, Guest, Guest." Please, if you are going to make personal attacks, at least have the guts to leave a real name rather than anonymously spew your venom.

To the original poster, best of wishes.

To the cowardly poster, watch the Wizard of Oz and perhaps you can learn a way to find courage.

Billy

[crzhrs]

Markland:

I agree with the anonymous posting. Regardless of your view, please let us know who you are, even if its a "pen" name a la crzhrs, shatsonka, one tin soldier, etc.

If you talk the talk . . . walk the walk!

[Diane Merkel]

FYI, Guest Guest -- You obviously have some issues with Jeff. Did he steal your girlfriend? ;D

Jeff Broome doesn't need me to defend him, but his doctorate is in philosophy, so -- surprise, surprise -- he teaches philosophy, not psychology. If the study of history were restricted to people with doctorates in history, I doubt anyone would be posting on these boards. Where someone teaches is often a matter of lifestyle choice, not intellect. Regarding his book and the symposium, at least he is doing some constructive things to further the study of history. What have you done lately?

[Guest]

admin said:

If the study of history were restricted to people with doctorates in history, I doubt anyone would be posting on these boards.

I agree Diane. Wasn't the late Brian Pohanka a car dealer by profession? More has been done for this subject by amateurs than by anyone else.

I am the original poster here. Thanks Markland for the type of information I was looking for. To Guest, Guest -- why bother posting just to spew venom?

[Diane Merkel]

Guest, it's a pleasure to have you on the boards. You might want to choose another name so that there is no confusion with the very unpleasant Guest, Guest.

Brian's father founded a chain of car dealerships around the Washington suburbs, but I don't believe Brian was ever involved in the business. I lived in the DC area when I first met Brian and asked him if he was related to the Pohanka car dealers. He smiled and replied, "I prefer to think they are related to me."

We have Jeff's book, but I'm sorry to say that I haven't read it yet. So many books, so little time . . . .

[Rabble]

Hi Diane,
I appear to have been the only person to have read Jeff's book! If Guest, Guest would take the trouble to do likewise, he would see the vast amount of research that has been done. Or perhaps he/she does not like the subject matter?
Ron.

[Guest]

Guest Guest's "helpful" advice aside, I bought Broome's book the other day. I'm not finished with it yet but feel comfortable in saying that I recommend it highly to anyone interested in the Indian Wars in Kansas.

[jeffbroome]

I am Jeff Broome, and I wrote Dog Soldier Justice. I would not be responding here now, except that I notice how many people have clicked on to this discussion. I thus feel compelled to defend myself.
To the original posting guest, my compliments to you to ask a genuine question as to whether or not my book should be read. More on the response in a moment, but to you, I will offer this: I guarantee the book to you. If you read it, and feel it is not historically worthy, I will refund you your money and you can keep the book. I only ask that you post here what it is about the book that caused you to judge it as not having historical merit.
I would suggest to anyone that wants to know more about the book, that they do a google search with my name and the book title. There are several reviews about the book there. There are also reviews on Amazon.com, too, by people who have read my book and posted reviews. See also the endorsement of the book on the back cover, by Greg Michno and Jerome Greene. I encourage others to do the same (i.e., post reviews on Amazon), once they have read the book.
To the anonymous posting that chose to recommend that the first poster not read my book. You insulted that person's intelligence by offering the fallacy of the abusive ad hominen, i.e., attacking a person instead of an argument. You see, you said, "don't read the book and this is why: the person who wrote it is a real creep." The question (should I buy this book?) wasn't about the person, the question was about the book, and you insulted everyone's intelligence into thinking that someone would think for one moment that you have presented a good argument for not buying the book, as that was the question. You are the narrow thinking person, for using fallacious reasoning to make a point. And you insulted everyone's intelligence into thinking that you had an argument as to why the original person asking about my book should not read it.
Should someone read my book, is a legitimate question. The answer comes in the reviews and what other people say who have read my book, which obviously the complainer did not and never will, for reasons only that person knows. That is all that matters and is relevant to the discussion.
Dr. David Dixon, Ph.D., Slippery Rock University professor of history, recently wrote a review of Dog Soldier Justice for the Western Historical Quarterly, which can be read in the Amazon search for my book, and he endorses the book entirely, and claims that the book "is well researched." Another review is soon to come out in the Pacific Historical Review. These are important journals, and what reviewers say there is relevant.
Diane answered very effectively the critic's claim that I don't have a Ph.D. in history and thus cannot speak for history. Indeed, Bruce Liddic's Vanishing Victory should also not be read, as he too does not have a degree in history. Indeed, if anyone would take their 10 most favorite books in Indian wars history and check the academic credentials of the authors, only Paul Hutton would probably survive the cut. That was a ludicrous argument.
Many people have recently come into this history because of a 2 hour radio interview I did in Denver (KOA 850AM), and nearly 200 books sold as a result of that interview. CBS did a 10 minute piece on my work in dedicating a monument for Susanna Alderdice at Summit Springs. I don't have an ego about that, but I do have a passion about Susanna Alderdice, and anyone who takes the time to read my book will understand that. I am proud of what I accomplished, but that isn't saying I have a huge ego about it. I think people who know me (and the complainer obviously doesn't or they would identify themselves and face me head on) know that I am not driven by my ego.
The symposium I do each year has had me speak 3 times out of 10 years it has been held. Among the speakers are Paul Hutton, Paul Hedren, Paul Fees, Jerome Greene, John Monnett, Greg Michno, Robert Larsen, Tom Goodrich, Sandy Barnard, Ron Nichols, Mike Koury, Bob Snelson, to name a few of the important Indian war authors. No, there has never been a problem getting speakers for this symposium, which will be held again this year September 24. Already more than 80 people have registered, so it appears people enjoy this.
I don't know what the problem is of the complainer about me (it probably goes back to Kidder, for those who know what that means), but to you I say, I have filed a formal complaint against you, to have you identified and banned from future postings. We all signed an agreement to not write postings that are abusive, hateful, defamatory and harassing, and your posting is precisely that. And the agreement everyoine signs says that in the event of a filed omplaint, that the person violating the agreement will be identified. I am asking that the LBHA identify you on this web page.
Jeff Broome

[fred]

Jeff--
I had not heard of your book before reading these pages, but I guess I do now. If Diane, Billy Markland, Greg Michno, & Jerome Greene recommend it, that's good enough for me. Four aces beat one idiot every day. Besides, a money-back guarantee is a tough deal to beat; but I'm sure I won't be taking you up on it. Can I get the book from Richard Upton or must I head to Borders?

[markland]

Jeff, it is great having you join the board. Another person who believes the western frontier did not rise and set on June 25, 1876 ;D

Seriously, having read a few of your posts over on the Kiowa board, I suspect that the anonymous jerk was someone of the "Smoke" variety that you have tried to rationally speak to in the past. I will let you in on a poorly kept secret, the LBHA does allow anonymous posters. Diane can explain the whole wheres and why's about it. But to cut to the chase, identifying the person will be problematical if not downright impossible, thus I suspect your request may result in failure.

Your coming here, in full name, defending your book is answer enough to the horse's *ss who was so cowardly as to slam someone without signing their name.

Now about that symposium ol' buddy ; who is speaking this year and are there any seats available? If you could, post a link to the web page with the information.

Best of wishes,

Billy

P.S. Your book has now moved near to the top of the "Books I Have Which I Have to Read or the Wife Will Sell Them" list.

[Diane Merkel]

Jeff,

Well said. I'm sorry that your introduction to the boards involved such a sour note. I made a joke implying jealousy, but I really believe that jealousy must be at the heart of Guest Guest's post, perhaps with a little deliberate sabotage as well. No matter the motive, the posting was inexcusably rude. Please do not take his comments to heart. As you can see from the other comments, you are very well respected.

I have considered asking authors if they would respond to questions about their books on a special board. Obviously, if an author is gracious enough to take questions, I will require that all participants on the authors' boards be registered. Of course, after this, I doubt any author would consider participating. Thanks for nothing, Guest Guest.

To all -- registered users and guests alike -- these boards can be read by anyone in the world, literally, so let's be more careful and considerate of each other and the people we examine. As we have seen throughout the past thirteen months, quite a few authors read these boards and, agree or disagree, they all deserve our respect.

Buy Jeff's book!

[Jeff Broome]

To those who have replied to my posting, in response to the person who attacked my research and writing: Thank you for your support and understanding. I left forever the Kiowa County Colorado postings relating to Sand Creek because of hateful anonymous postings, and I hope that doesn't happen with the LBHA, as I have a deep love for both the LBHA and many, many people who belong to the organization. I trust the ability of the LBHA to identify the people who libel and tell us who they are (a nice embarrassment to them, wouldn't it be?), and to remove them from further postings.
As to where my book may be purchased, there are a few options: probably the easiest is through the Kansas State Historical Society webpage.
It can also be ordered through the publisher, the Lincoln County Historical Society in Lincoln, Kansas, either via email at [e-mail], or phone at 785-524-5352 (no credit cards there). It can also be ordered through the CBHMA webpage, or directly from me ($30.00 will get it shipped via priority mail, and if you request I would be happy to sign the book). I believe Dick Upton sold about 100 copies and has no more.
When I wrote the book I knew there would be serious compromises in the story if it went through Oklahoma or Nebraska (Nebraska UP has since expressed interest in me submitting it for a 2nd edition), but I did not want that. Consequently there is much more expense in producing my book because of the photographs (more than 30 pages, many in color), the cover, etc., so I did not submit it to one of those publishers, who only commit about $1.50 per book printed, whereas the LCHS commited nearly $7.00 for each paperbound book, for printing costs. Out of print hardcover books can be obtained via Amazon, and I have a handful that I would sell at the Amazon price. The leatherbound copies all sold.
About this year's symposium in Littleton, I am speaking (my 3rd time!!) on the 1864 Hungate massacre (Upton sells my publication on that, "Indian Raids in Elbert County, Colorado, 1864 & 1868"), Greg Michno on the Sand Creek fight, Chuck Bowen, owner of the land where the fight actually took place (not the NPS site), Sandy Barnard on his new book with Brian Pohanka and Jim Brust, and Deb and Tom Goodrich (Tom wrote Scalp Dance and many other books, most on the Civil War, and Deb is the editor of the Kansas Journal of Military History). They are speaking on Indian fights in Kansas and Army wives of Frontier Officers. To get a registration flier, etc., email me at [e-mail].
I hope this discussion leads people to read Dog Soldier Justice. I just want Susanna's story to be told and not forgotten. It is such a moving story, with many Custer connections. I share a few in my article in Custer and His Times, Book 4. If anyone wants a copy of my talk at Hardin last June ("Indian Depredation Claims: One of the Roads to the Little Big Horn"), just email me and I will be happy to send a word attachment of that. You can judge from that whether I do decent historical research.
Jeff

[markland]

Jeff, thanks for your understanding. I believe Diane is starting to get a handle on the trouble-makers. As we all know, there are horse's-droppings all over who wish to denigate any material contrary to their beliefs-and if they can't attack the substance, they attack the person.

Personally, one of my criteria for a well-researched book is the amount of pages devoted to the notes and bibliography portion. In your case, pages 227-299, inclusive, are dedicated to those. To me, layman that I am, that detail spells out that someone did their homework. Having looked at period handwriting on regimental records and other correspondence more than any normal person should, I can definitely state that you did your research (with accompanying eyestrain). Whether we agree or disagree with the premise of the book is another story, but I feel no one can doubt that the book is a) pertinent b) well researched.

Isn't it curious that we haven't heard from Mr? Anonymous since his? original, soon to be deleted email-(hint Diane )

So much for the "courage of your convictions" ehhh?

Best of wishes,

Billy