Magazines Live Panel Discussion

"The End of 'Civil War Times'" panel discussion with Dana Shoaf, former editor of "Civil War Times"; Melissa Winn, former photography director of "Civil War Times"; Dr. Gary Gallagher, longtime contributor to "Civil War Times"; Ted Savas, publisher and director of Savas Beatie; Drew Gruber, executive director of Civil War Trails; and Dr. Cecily Nelson Zander, ECW's chief historian. Moderated by ECW Editor in Chief Chris Mackowski. (With a special shout-out to Darren Rawlings for technical support.)

[@MrLando787]

We also lost Blue & Gray, which was the best Civil War magazine ever.

[@beckysteinmiller338]

Great conversation. These fine magazines will be missed.

[@cherylrice1730]

Wow!! Amazing conversation!! So sad to see these things go away!All of the companies magazines.

[@jeff2178]

I LOVE both Civil War times and America's Civil War. I was always so excited to either get it in the mail or buy a copy at a bookstore. I would read cover to cover. Truly will be missed.

[@terryp3034]

CWT was such a huge part of my growing up. Kept the fires going and they've never died out. Hard to let go. So bittersweet.

[@edglass9912]

Hello Dana and Mellisa! Glad to know that you’re still doing CW work!! I really enjoyed the magazine and your live broadcast.
Ed from Lynchburg

[@terranceyount1333]

I have been a subscriber to CWTI since the 1970’s. I’m really going to miss reading this magazine.

[@derekrupert2013]

CWT, along with Bruce Catton’s picture history of the ACW are huge reasons why I am a CW buff

[@derekrupert2013]

And I’m 41! How funny is that!

[@mattpiepenburg8769]

History in general and US Civil War history in particular is such a critical discipline for individual and collective knowledge. The slow fade of critical thinking, genuine scholarship and deep curiosity within a culture drifting more toward TikTok and X attention spans is a sad trajectory which has, at least for me, very sad implications for future and current generations.
I’m sorry that Gary’s connection was a bit poor in this conversation, as his voice is so revered and helpful in this space.
Of course, we thank all of you for “fighting the good fight”’for this part of our history. Deep respect to you all, and much gratitude.

[@9cGFNRH]

I will miss all the history magazines.

[@brycefreshcorn4844]

They mention age quite a bit, which can easily be a sleight of hand. The audience may be younger, which is somewhat inevitable given death, but the interest could be BOTH younger and smaller.
This isn't a complete explanation and doesn't disprove a decline in interest.

[@christophercorner9526]

There is still a market out there for a magazine. Blue and gray is still sold at national parks but is becoming dated. THe Civil War times still sits on my shelves and my desire to move to a "smaller place" is to maintain my print media even in the presence of 3 terabytes of digital material. A brief article on line is not the experience that a magazine with integrated graphics and text with a good editor supervising its production. I hope someone reaches out to the historically inclined.

[@davidlarned4315]

I use to read it often in the 70-90S but it became so slanted toward the North and the Righteous Cause Myth I quit buying it, agree with me or not I don't care I quit spending my money on it...apparently so did a lot of people...

[@nativevirginian8344]

I saw this coming in 2016. They went totally woke. I stopped buying it too. Now I watch the Abbeville Institute on TH-cam. More truth there.

[@seandail1]

That is utterly stupid and untrue. Abbeville Institute, however, is warped beyond belief. So the truth is that YOU are the slanted, ahistorical one.

[@hikingnazi]

Nice to hear the thoughts from Ted and Drew - the CW community exists, is strong, but we have to stop forcing younger people into the dogma of how most Civil War Round Tables operate. I was at one of the early CWRT Congresses and heard so much talk about not wasting time on trying to recruit younger members - disheartening.