Civil War History is entirely in the wrong for its treatment of Kevin Levin

Yes, I thought it was hilarious irony in what was done to Kevin Levin in the publication Civil War History. I don't think anyone is a more severe critic of Levin than me. He has also treated me atrociously over the years.

However, what was done to him was just wrong. It also very much represents very much what is wrong about the Civil War historical profession.

First the anonymous criticism. Let whoever makes this criticism be named. Let Levin know who his acccuser is.

Second, what exactly is wrong with Levin's blog isn't really made clear except some vague "self-promotion" criticism. What exactly does this refer to. Also, if Levin is self-promoting himself, so what?  As an independent scholar he needs to make sure  his readers know that he is considered credible by others in his field. Even if he wasn't an independent scholar why shouldn't he let us know his acccomplishments?

I have read his blog, it isn't that self-promoting. I mean he does let you know that he published a book, or he is speaking somewhere.

He does inform a lot of people about the Civil War.

The Civil War history profession has largely failed. They sit in their cloistered venues and fail to educate the public.

The Civil War is one of the central events in American history. It defines in many ways who we are. How it exists in the popular imagination has been an important factor in shaping racial politics in the USA. In contributing to public life the Civil War history profession is a failure looking inward to metallurgy of buttons of soldier uniforms or the equivalent thereof.

Though the Civil War has had a tremendous impact on the history of race the interest in the African American community in the Civil War is extremely low. That is because the Civil War history profession has catered to or pandered to people with a Lost Cause mentality, or have been careful not to offend it or criticize neo-Confederates. It has given people with obvious problems with race a free pass.

We now face a future where the Civil War will attract about as much interest as the War of 1812.

The editors of Civil War History need to apologize to Kevin Levin.