Barbed Wire: Good News!

Over the weekend Lyn and I got the second reader’s report on our manuscript. It was as enthusiastic as the first. Approval by the Texas A&M University Press editorial board is still required, but for all practical purposes we have a publisher.

Our book will be in a series called “Connecting the Greater West,” edited by Sterling Evans, whose book Bound in Twine: The History and Ecology of the Henequen-Wheat Complex for Mexico and the American and Canadian Plains, 1880-1950 is a surprising and comprehensive and even fascinating look at the history of baling twine. Baling twine, for god’s sake! At least our “thing” has barbs.

A couple of weeks ago we threw out some of our printed drafts for the book. For several years it has felt like a never ending process. Now it looks like there will be a happy end.

A couple of paragraphs from the reports by outside readers:

For most potential readers there will be many surprises here. Obviously everyone will be aware that barbed wire was marketed as a way to restrict the movement of livestock. But I think most readers will not know that it was also understood to restrict the movement of Native Americans and freed slaves. That part of its history has been largely forgotten; this is thus also a recovery project. It revives part of our national history, including elements we would prefer to forget. The vulgarity and racism of some of this history will shock readers not familiar with it. And it is likely that the role of barbed wire in contemporary Native American struggles will also be news to most readers.

Writing Style:  It’s excellent!  The manuscript reads VERY well, it moves along well from chapter to chapter (with what I thought were terrific transitions). It’s lucid.  I’m sure both professional historians, buffs, and a general public would enjoy the book.

Both readers had thoughtful suggestions that we will take into account as we prepare the final draft. They have done us a big favor.