Matthew Gaylor wrote:
> Not only Second Amendment enthusiasts but also historians disputing
> Mr. Bellesiles' use of probate records have challenged that argument,
> and not always politely.
Not having read the book, it's probably premature to judge it, but if, as
it sounds here, he based his "research" on probate records for something like
guns, he's pretty dumb. Most personal items like guns would be passed on to a
close relative w/o being listed in probate, either by the person themselves
prior to death or by the wife, or just taken by the kids. Human nature doesn't
change -- how many guns go thru probate these days? Certainly not with any of
my relatives, or my wife's, or anyone I've ever known. Can't think of a single
instance. Can't imagine why it ever would except perhaps in the case of a
collector who had a large and valuable collection.
What this sounds like is the typical academic struggling to find something
-- *anything* -- to publish to meet his department's requirements for tenure.
If you look at the stuff that gets published by academics, it's nothing short
of astounding -- total cockamamie theories by people desperate to find
something to "research" that hasn't already been done to death.
Harmon Seaver, MLIS
CyberShamanix
Work 920-203-9633 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Home 920-233-5820 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
