The Accidental Historian: Tales of Trash and Treasure

by Monte Akers

If amateur in its original sense is one who pursues a passion purely for the love of it, then attorney and author Monte Akers is its spokesperson. History is his romance. From Custer’s Last Stand to the shooting of Bonnie and Clyde, The Accidental Historian chronicles one man’s fascination with the past and the different ways he has immersed himself in American history over fifty years. Akers explores incidents, little-known episodes, and fascinating sidelights from some of the most popular events of years gone by. Come along with Akers as he reveals a shocking secret about Robert E. Lee. Calls up Clyde Barrow’s henchman on the phone. Hires on as an extra in a Civil War miniseries. Runs for public office. Rediscovers a lost treasure from Stonewall Jackson. Reads between the lines of wartime love letters. Recreates the Rebel Yell. Fights at the Alamo―with his wife on the opposing side. Through artifact and antique collecting, writing, relic-hunting, visiting historic sites, and good old-fashioned primary source research, Akers has experienced and relived a great deal of the country’s historical panorama. He relates his observations with humor, scholarship, self-effacement, and zeal, enjoyably bridging the gap between academic and popular history. His anecdotes will entertain and edify not only historians amateur or professional but also reenactors, enthusiasts, collectors, songwriters, genealogists, tourists, and teachers―anyone, in fact, curious enough about America’s past to stop and read a historical marker.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2010

About the author

Monte Akers is the previous author of several books, including The Accidental Historian: Tales of Trash and Treasure (2010); Flames After Midnight: Murder, Vengeance and the Desolation of a Texas Community (1999); and Tales for the Tellings: Six Short Stories of the American Civil War. An attorney as well as historian, a collector of Civil War artifacts, song lyricist (since age nine), and an admirer of Jeb Stuart, he currently lives near Austin, Texas.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small stories of minor historical interest but interesting.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some essays were great fun, others were not. But part of this might be my own bias: he's a big Civil War re-enactor, and I get very tired of Civil War re-enacting stories.
Definitely worth reading if you run across it, but not worth seeking out

[Ani Simmons · Rating 2 out of 5]

While Mr. Akers has a pleasant writing style, I found myself reading 2-ish pages of a chapter and then skimming the rest of the chapter. It did not hold my attention in the least. I had higher hopes for this one.

[Francis Jr.]

Having collaborated with Monte on "Tower Sniper," I enjoyed his humor and style, both of which enhance not only his books, but his person. Truly a wonderful friend and person to know and admire!