Cynthia Kierner’s work Scandal at Bizarre, to me read like one of the Masterpiece theaters/BBC Edwardian Era British drama that are so popular (think Downton Abby). This truly was a glimpse into what really is a lost world is some ways, but in others - very familiar as well. From detailed descriptions about how Richard Randolph was not brought in until there was a public outrage due to his genteel status to the scene by scene account of a trial, Kierners book looked at this microhistory of the post-revolutionary world. While this book had "silences" that I think was the focus as well...it drilled into the effects of a murder story around one dominate family in Virginia.
One thing that I have noticed since maybe the 2000's (maybe a littler earlier) is that regardless if the work is a grand tomes like 1776, John Adams, or Team of Rivals or something a little more manageable like Scandal at Bizarre, one can really see the around about evolution that historical writing has taken. In some ways, Kierners work has more (albeit more focused and detailed, and a little thing like citations) in common with Prescott then with other readings we have done this semester.
One fun fact about this work - Isham Randolph - is my grandfather, I think 9 or 10 times removed on my mother side. While reading this book, the names that jumped out and the story -it was just a fun read to me.
No comments:
Post a Comment