At the April meeting, Ron Blumer, writer of the TV show (and a Round Tabler in good standing) distributed a publicity folder, giving us a good rundown of the project. Both book and show are tackling the entire sweep of the Revolution, from the ascension of George III to the inauguration of George Washington.
Sony is issuing a CD with music by Mark O'Connor and songs sung by
James Taylor. Tom Fleming is writing the liner notes. Tom has also
placed an article in MHQ, the Quarterly Journal of Military
History, ``Washington After Yorktown,'' which will be published
simultaneously. Parade Magazine and Reader's
Digest are considering tie-in articles.
Salute to Aaron Burr
Speaking of historical excitement, one of the livelier members of the
Revolutionary generation got a tribute in his home town on February 6,
1997.
The Broad Street National Bank in downtown Newark unveiled a plaque commemorating Aaron Burr's birth on that date in 1756.
The Chairman and CEO of the bank, Donald M. Karp, is a member of the Aaron Burr Association. A surprising number of people (including several Round Tablers) belong to this organization, which is dedicated to defending Burr's reputation against his numerous detractors.
Limousines took the 170 invited guests to a special luncheon at the Newark Public Library. There, courtesy of Chase Manhattan bank, the original Burr-Hamilton dueling pistols were on display, with emphasis on their hair triggers.
The Burrites make a big deal of this hair trigger. They imply it proves Hamilton was trying to doublecross Burr. Actually the device was fairly common in dueling pistols of the era.
But this passion for their hero is forgivable. Aaron was not nearly as bad as he has been painted by pro-Hamilton and pro-Jefferson historians.