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New book explores history of Miami University
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
History doesn't write itself; Curt Ellison does.
As Miami University history and American studies professor and director of McGuffey Museum, Ellison is leading the creation of the social history book "Miami University, 1809-2009 Bicentennial Perspectives" in celebration of the school's bicentennial.
Extras
The book, which has been in production since 2001, is expected to be published in October 2008. The five faculty members on the book's editorial board, including Ellison as the general editor, have designated specific time periods for each to focus on. Currently, the book begins with an essay on the Miami Indian tribe and ends with the current administration under President David Hodge.
While the five editorial board members and Ellison will collaborate on the broad narrative of Miami's history, more than 50 contributors ranging from former students and retired professors to Miami University archivist Bob Schmidt will write more specific sidebars and essays to correlate with each page.
"We tried to look toward a person's general interest and allowed them to write a sidebar based on that," said Schmidt.
With the help of university archives and past publications on Miami's history, editors like history professor Andrew Cayton took up to a few months to write their section, but up to a year gathering material.
"A lot of the process in writing a history book is thinking about it when you're taking a walk or watching TV," said Cayton. "Your brain is constantly working on it."
While the first section already has been edited and sent to publishers, Cayton assures the next six months will be spent thoroughly fact checking the rest. To Ellison, fact checking is a never-ending process.
"I worry (about printing incorrect information) every minute of every day," said Ellison.
According to Ellison the approximate 300-page book will be available for less than $50 in paperback form.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2250 or hday@coxohio.com.
