Birzer class will help edit prof's lincoln manuscript
Students to propose titles; best suggestion will name book
Chase Purdy
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: News
Brad Birzer said his latest book is the summation of seven semesters' worth of teaching, and his students get to read it first.
Birzer, associate professor of history, said his strict policy against using his own published works for class hasn't changed, and that his Sectionalism and the Civil War students are using the unpublished manuscript of one of his recent projects.
The book covers Abraham Lincoln and the question of whether he could have manipulated the events that incited the Civil War.
Birzer said Lincoln entered his presidency during a turbulent time. On one hand he dealt with staff members who disliked him, and on the other he became responsible for the first steps of the Civil War.
"I really couldn't have written the book without teaching the class for seven semesters," he said. "I felt for Lincoln when I was writing this when it struck me, 'Wow, he is really in a terrible spot.'"
The book also examines other dominant political figures, such as then-Vice President James Buchanan, and their roles in the war.
Senior Mike Chalberg, who is auditing the class, said Birzer ranks as one of his favorite professors and is excited about using the unpublished manuscript in class.
"He's so passionate about it all that I really respect that he's using his own book," Chalberg said. "I would imagine that it's some of the best stuff out there."
Birzer returned from sabbatical this year, during which he worked on many projects, including finishing a book about Charles Carroll of Carrollton and a chapter on J.R.R. Tolkien in a new book that will include essays by several Tolkien experts.
Birzer invited interested students to edit the Lincoln manuscript as they read along, promising rewards to those who find the most errors. He also said he plans to let the student with the best title suggestion name the book.
"I'm a horrible editor," he said, smiling. "And all my titles get thrown out."
Chalberg said he is excited about editing.
"It's kind of an interactive process instead of just saying, 'Here's my book, now look at how sweet I am,' " he said. "It's really solid, and it's really fair. It gives a lot of perspectives and I think that's cool."
Birzer said he expects to see the finished product of his manuscript in the near future, as he is still in negotiation with publishing houses.
Birzer, associate professor of history, said his strict policy against using his own published works for class hasn't changed, and that his Sectionalism and the Civil War students are using the unpublished manuscript of one of his recent projects.
The book covers Abraham Lincoln and the question of whether he could have manipulated the events that incited the Civil War.
Birzer said Lincoln entered his presidency during a turbulent time. On one hand he dealt with staff members who disliked him, and on the other he became responsible for the first steps of the Civil War.
"I really couldn't have written the book without teaching the class for seven semesters," he said. "I felt for Lincoln when I was writing this when it struck me, 'Wow, he is really in a terrible spot.'"
The book also examines other dominant political figures, such as then-Vice President James Buchanan, and their roles in the war.
Senior Mike Chalberg, who is auditing the class, said Birzer ranks as one of his favorite professors and is excited about using the unpublished manuscript in class.
"He's so passionate about it all that I really respect that he's using his own book," Chalberg said. "I would imagine that it's some of the best stuff out there."
Birzer returned from sabbatical this year, during which he worked on many projects, including finishing a book about Charles Carroll of Carrollton and a chapter on J.R.R. Tolkien in a new book that will include essays by several Tolkien experts.
Birzer invited interested students to edit the Lincoln manuscript as they read along, promising rewards to those who find the most errors. He also said he plans to let the student with the best title suggestion name the book.
"I'm a horrible editor," he said, smiling. "And all my titles get thrown out."
Chalberg said he is excited about editing.
"It's kind of an interactive process instead of just saying, 'Here's my book, now look at how sweet I am,' " he said. "It's really solid, and it's really fair. It gives a lot of perspectives and I think that's cool."
Birzer said he expects to see the finished product of his manuscript in the near future, as he is still in negotiation with publishing houses.
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