Civil War Publication Survey

Originally published August 2020 · pp. 1–31

Published with permission from Mike Movius, President, CWRT Congress, www.cwrtcongress.org. This survey was conceived as more of an informational instrument than one with serious overtones for CWRTs to heed. And yet, there are some interesting patterns that should be examined. Overall, there were 195 total respondents. We did not seek to differentiate between members and their leaders. The completion rate was 77% and on average, it took respondents 4 minutes to complete.

Summary This survey illustrates the kind of CWRT member who subscribes to Civil War publications. I will attempt to describe him/her in broad terms: 1. A true reader—One who reads a majority of publications to which a subscription is paid, reads and enjoys other reading materials that are described in the publication.

2. Most interested in leaders, strategy and tactics, campaigns, battles and skirmishes. 3. Shares the reading material with others including for the betterment of the CWRT. On the other hand, in a time when most CWRT members decry the lack of American history education in our public schools, most do not avail themselves of

sharing their publications with schools, teachers, or libraries. It is up to us to take a stand for public history education. Although the school district where we live will not allow Civil War material in their midst, there are other environments where students are supported in their curiosity about the making of America by adults who understand the value of history.

Q1: Do you subscribe to one or more Civil War publications? Answer Choices: Responses: Respondents: Yes 66.15% No 33.85% Total Respondents: 195 Our initial assumption was that many, if not most, CWRT members subscribe to a Civil War publication. The results from the first question confirms that assumption. Sixty-six percent subscribe to one or more such publications.

Downsizing I find I have so much to read, and sometimes they are so detailed that I lose interest Subscribed to many CW mags from 1965 to 2005. Stopped all subscriptions at that time Topics have usually been covered many times before

Q3: To which publications(s) do you subscribe? Answered: 122 Skipped: 73 Answer Choices: Responses: Respondents: America’s Civil War 39.34% American Digger 0.00% American History 4.92% The Artilleryman 4.92% The Avalon Hill General 0.00% Blue & Gray 22.13% Cavalry Times 0.00% Charge! 0.00% Civil War Courier 3.28% Civil War from A to Z 0.82% Civil War Monitor 48.36 Civil War Navy 9.84% 36.89% Civil War Quarterly 1.64% Civil War Times 55.74% Confederate Veteran 4.92% De Bow’s Review 0.00% Frank Leslie’s Illustrated News 0.82% The Gettysburg 18.85% Harper’s Weekly 0.82% History 0.00% Leatherneck 0.00% Military Heritage 2.46% Military History 4.10% Muzzleloading Artilleryman 0.00% Naval History 2.46% North & South 24.59% North South Trader’s Civil War 4.10% On Point: Journal of Army History 0.82% Shipmate 0.82% Smithsonian 15.57% Southern Bivouac 0.00% Southern Historical Society Papers 0.82% Southern Partisan 0.82% Taps 0.00% United States Service 0.00% Western & Eastern Treasures 0.00% West Point .082% Other (please specify) 20.49% Total Respondents: 122

Q2: Why don’t you subscribe to a Civil War publication? Answer Choices: Responses: Respondents: Too expensive 25.00% Not enough time to read 48.44% Rather search my own topics 20.31% Too many errors to take seriously 0.00% Not familiar with CW magazines 15.63% Other (please specify) 34.38% Total Respondents: 64 Other Responses: • I may be re-subscribing to North and South soon. It and Blue & Gray are/were the gold standards for ACW magazines. • Too many of the same type of articles in mags. I choose on topics that I have an interest in. • Some lean way too far to one side of the war • Shared by other subscribers • Previously subscribed to CW Times and Camp Chase • Most seem to rehash old stories • Get at store • Buy them off the rack • Topics too politically correct • Changes in editorial policies • Not enough value • Would rather read a Civil War book instead • Too many other interests • Have not seen Civil War magazines recently • Have not found one that consistently piques my interest • Have many books and online sources to read

The most popular Civil War publications among respondents are: 1. Civil War Times (55%) 2. Civil War Monitor (48%) 3. America’s Civil War (39%) 4. Civil War News (36%) 5. North & South (24%) 6. Blue & Gray (22%) Those publications that received no votes: • American Digger • The Avalon Hill General • Cavalry Times • Charge! • De Bow’s Review • History • Southern Bivouac • Taps • United States Service • Western & Eastern Treasures Another 20% responded as Other. Their comments are as follows: • Hallowed Ground • The Blue Light • Military Images • Civil War Regiments • Some of these are not in business anymore and some I gave up my subscription. My favorite was Blue & Gray. I also subscribed at times to North South Trader’s Civil War, CWTI, America’s Civil War, Confederate Veteran and Gettysburg Magazine. • Hallowed Ground • Military Images • Confederate Veteran, The Bugle, Telegraph (The Confederate Voice of Australia) • Homefront Herald • Civil War History, Journal of the Civil War Era • Civil War History • Hallowed Ground • American Battlefield Trust • ABT magazine Hallowed Ground • Civil War Gazette • Military Images • Civil War History, Journal of the Civil War Era • Hallowed Ground • Military Images • Battlefield Photographer, Military Images, Archaeology • Military Images • Military Images • Missouri Historical Review • Hallowed Ground • Military Images Q4: What percentage of your publications actually get read? Average Number Responses 84% Total Respondents: 120 On average, 84% of respondents stated that they actually read their publications. Q5: What are the most enjoyable part(s) to your favorite publication(s)? Answer Choices Responses Respondents Stories/Articles 95.90% Advertisements 10.66% Info/Questions for social media 4.10% Self-guided tour ideas 29.51% Tour companies 5.74% Future events 21.31% Ideas for my CWRT 17.21% Ideas for new research 17.21% Book Reviews 75.41% Editorials 23.77% Photographs 49.18% Letters to the Editor 31.97% Quizzes (Trivia) 12.30% How to do something 1.64% Other (please specify) 4.92% Total Respondents: 122

Interestingly, 95% of respondents say the most enjoyable parts of their publications are the stories and articles and 75% say the book reviews are the most enjoyable. Obviously, these are readers from the very start. What is nearly as telling; 1% said “How to do something”, 4% chose information and questions on social media and 5% selected tour companies. Another 4% responded with “Other” which included: • Biographies • All contents • Maps • Artifacts • Original articles about fresh topics—not the same old thing • Collecting Civil War artifacts

Q6: Which three magazines do you rate the highest? Answered: 107 Skipped: 88 These responses are very interesting because the top 7 rated publications are as follows: • America’s Civil War • Blue & Gray • Civil War Monitor • Civil War Times • American History • The Artilleryman • The Avalon Hill General The bottom 7 rated publications include the following: • West Point • Western & Eastern Treasures • United States Service • Taps • Southern Partisan • Southern Bivouac What is astounding about these results is that while no one actually subscribes to the Avalon Hill General, it scores relatively high. And, while one person does subscribe to West Point, it is still at the bottom of the list. Q7: Of those to which your DO NOT subscribe, which publications might you be interested in? Answered: 86 Skipped: 109

Answer Choices: America’s Civil War American Digger American History The Artilleryman The Avalon Hill General Blue & Gray Cavalry Times Charge Civil War Courier Civil War from A to Z Civil War Monitor Civil War Navy Civil War Quarterly Civil War Times Confederate Veteran De Bow’s Review Frank Leslie’s Illustrated News The Gettysburg Harper’s Weekly History Leatherneck Military Heritage Military History Muzzleloading Artilleryman Naval History North & South North South Trader’s Civil War On Point: Journal of Army History Shipmate Smithsonian Southern Bivouac Southern History Society Papers Southern Partisan Taps

Responses: 17.44% 4.65% 10.47% 10.47% 6.98% 31.40% 10.47% 0.00% 8.14% 8.14% 6.98% 10.47% 10.47% 22.09% 16.28% 6.98% 0.00% 5.81% 11.63% 2.33% 1.16% 0.00% 3.49% 15.12% 4.65% 4.65% 24.42% 6.98% 2.33% 3.49% 3.49% 0.00% 11.63% 0.00% 0.00%

Respondents:

United States Service Western & Eastern Treasures West Point Total Respondents: 86

Essentially, this question asked about the name recognition of unsubscribed Civil War publications. Those that scored the best were:

that most will seek out a friend, give it to their CWRT and a fundraiser (including meeting sales and annual auctions) or give to a family member. The least likely to receive a shared Civil War publication include: • Take them to a school • Give to library Another 19% responded “Other” and said: • Take to VA hospital • Copy articles and send to friends • Lend to a friend • Share with ACWRTA (QLD) round table • Round table book raffle • Free to CWRT members & guests • Put out on table at RT meetings free for the taking For more information about Civil War Round Table Congress visit www.cwrtcongress.org.