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Monday, October 13, 2025

Twenty years of CWBA!

It looks like I missed my own 20-year anniversary. Way back on September 7, 2005, Civil War Books and Authors debuted to a thundering twenty-five or so page views. It was a time when the average blog was maintained for only two months before the writer lost interest, so I've lasted a bit longer than that. It is gratifying to know that so many people still find the website interesting enough to visit.

Special thanks goes to those publishers and individuals that continue to supply review copies of their new releases, and I would also like to express my deep appreciation for the sponsors, the small group of dedicated patrons (you know who you are) who generously donate to the book fund, and those readers who take the time and effort to support the site through their affiliate link purchases.

I can't guarantee twenty more years of doing this, but I will say that I have no plans to cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees anytime soon.

18 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 13, 2025 at 5:22 PM

    Drew,
    As the old saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun,” and it’s certainly obvious from the care and attention you put into this blog you not only create your own fun but you provide immense fun and pleasure to your fellow Civil War bibliophiles. I check your blog everyday and always value and enjoyed your astute and thorough book reviews. Job well done! Here’s to another 20 years.
    Bill Gurley

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    Replies
    1. DW@CWBAOctober 13, 2025 at 7:52 PM

      Thanks for the kind words, Bill. And thank you for your contributions to CW history.

      Delete
    2. John FoskettOctober 14, 2025 at 6:40 AM

      Drew: What Bill said. Anybody with a serious interest in Civil War history follows this site regularly. The reviews are timely, extremely thorough, and - most important - reliable. Buying these books can become an expensive proposition and this site is a major factor in deciding to purchase. Well done and keep it coming.

      Delete
    3. DW@CWBAOctober 14, 2025 at 8:09 AM

      Thanks, John!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 14, 2025 at 7:55 AM

    Hello Drew I've been following your blog for a very long time. It has helped me to become aware of so many books that I eventually purchased. I just wanted to mention two.

    Robert E.L. Krick's 2 volume history of Gaines Mill and Frank O'Reilly's Malvern Hill. As I remember these were initially mentioned on your blog years ago and I followed all the updates and at times wondered if we would ever see them in print.

    As an avid reader thanks for your work and I hope you continue for a long time, great job.

    Don H.

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    Replies
    1. DW@CWBAOctober 14, 2025 at 8:05 AM

      Thanks, Don. That was certainly one of my goals!

      Delete
  3. Harry SmeltzerOctober 14, 2025 at 9:53 AM

    Congratulations, Drew! If you spend enough time in a train station, you see a lot of trains come, and you see a lot of trains go. Keep chugging along.

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    Replies
    1. DW@CWBAOctober 14, 2025 at 10:40 AM

      In all that time, my greatest regret is that I still don't know what McDowell's real plan was.

      Thanks, Harry!

      Delete
  4. Pat YoungOctober 14, 2025 at 10:41 AM

    Congrats. I've been reading you for fourteen years and I appreciate the reviews.

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    1. DW@CWBAOctober 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM

      Hi Pat, thank you. I am familiar with your site, too!

      Delete
  5. Curtis M. ThomascoOctober 14, 2025 at 11:32 AM

    Drew, Thanks for 20 years. You are still me primary go to source for new Civil War releases, quality reviews, general information on what's upcoming, etc. Keep up the good work. I am sure you saw that Bobby Krick's 2nd Installment of Gaines Mill has been published. Received mine on Sunday. Also Frank O' Reilly officially has his Malvern Hill book in the pipeline. Also lots of new releases from Savas Beattie in their Battles and Leaders series and their ECW series fourthcoming.
    Interesting book over at McFarland on the 54th PA being released. Lots of duty in the Mountain Department and Petersburg, WV. Curt Thomasco

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    Replies
    1. DW@CWBAOctober 14, 2025 at 11:48 AM

      Thanks, Curtis. Good to hear from you again. It's been a while.

      Delete
  6. Kevin M. LevinOctober 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM

    Hi Drew. Congratulations on 20 years of blogging at CWBA. I am coming up on my 20th next month. It's a huge accomplishment and you've done it by maintaining the same level of content and commitment to keeping the Civil War community updated with the latest releases. All the best.

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    Replies
    1. DW@CWBAOctober 14, 2025 at 4:34 PM

      Thank you, Kevin. And congratulations on your upcoming milestone as well!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousOctober 15, 2025 at 4:47 AM

    It would take twenty years of thanks... Especially from those who follow the historiography of the civil war from faraway Italy. Congratulations and thank you.

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  8. AnonymousOctober 15, 2025 at 6:45 AM

    Congratulations for twenty years! I check the site everyday in anticipation of a review of a book I'm interested in or an upcoming release. Please keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  9. John B SinclairOctober 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM

    Well done, Drew, well done.

    ReplyDelete

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