Being there . . .for the arrival of the rapidly approaching first day in the new calendar year,
2025, of two recently published titles from matchless, in diversity of topics and subjects,
McFarland & Company Publishers – – (1.) “ROOTS OF FILM NOIR – Precursors from the Silent Era
to the 1940s”, by Kevin Grant, a highly acknowledged film historian and periodical journalist
living in London, and in brilliant contrast, (2.) “RIGHTING the LONGSTREET RECORD AT
GETTYSBURG – – Six Matters of Controversy and Confusion”, by Cory M. Pfarr of the U.S.
Department of Defense. So finely conceived and tightly composed, each, in its way, is a skillful
blend of long forgotten historical facts and imaginative use of well-established, known
biographical-autobiographical traits and characteristics. In every way, each is a thoughtful calm,
relaxed read certain to enhance, please, and begin the journey through the following 12
months, already predicted and reckoned by some to be both arduously difficult and effulgent
spirited.
Reviewed and highly recommended by Don DeNevi
“ROOTS OF FILM NOIR – Precursors from the Silent Era to the 1940s”, by Kevin Grant.
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina: copyright, 2022, republished
in 2024, 244 pages, highly illustrated, PERFECT Chronological List of Precursors, 1923 – 1942,
7”x10”, $45. Visit, www.mcfarlandpub.com.
“RIGHTING THE LONGSTREET RECORD at GETTYSBURG – – Six Matters of Controversy and
Confusion”, by Cory M. Pfarr, Foreword by James A. Hessler. McFarland & Company, Inc.,
Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina: 2023, 204 pages, adequately illustrated with maps,
excellent chapter notes per each of six treatises; 7”x10”, $39.95. Visit, www.mcfarlandpub.com.
Every cinephile has his or her own definition for “film noir”. For this reviewer, I choose two
favorites that date back more than a hundred plus years – – which may or may not relate to noir,
although I argue otherwise. How about, Joseph Conrad’s 1897 quote? “My task which I am
trying to achieve, by the power of the written word, is to make you hear, make you feel, and,
above all make you see, think, and hopefully identify.” His, the core of “film noir”? Then there’s
D.W. Griffith’s 1912 quote. Love or despise the pioneer moviemaker of “Birth of a Nation”, but
try this one, “The task I’m longing to achieve is, above all, to make you think, make you see, and
make you feel more human.”
The bottom line, buy the book for your cinephile-chum, and a copy for yourself, to properly
define “film noir”. Your definition is just as good as anyone else’s. Should you be satisfied, you’ll
be driven to watch, usually for the first time, every feature introduced and discussed in his 244
pages. In this reviewer’s opinion, human identity, good or bad, is the key to film noir (I taught
and for an additional 14 years after retirement at California’s Soledad, Salinas Valley, and San
Quentin State Prisons – – here, as ABE 2-3 teacher, in addition to physical education coach for
6,000 Level Two-Three inmates, including almost 900 on Death Row. Respect and a bit of
kindness got me past 10,000 inmates without a problem. More than 7/8 th of those guys is the
heart of noir. Don’t the tear in the eye, the lump in the throat, the feeling that existence and
hope-idealism need not be self-conscious. Don’t most of our moral disquisitions in 2025
deserve as much?
Meanwhile, “Righting the Longstreet Record”, the sequel to Cory’s award-winning
“Longstreet at Gettysburg”, is a fabulous collection of new essays addressing some of the
persistent questions regarding Confederate General James Longstreet’s performance at the
Battle of Gettysburg. Influential interpretations of his actions are evaluated for historical
accuracy, drawing on often overlooked primary sources. Points of contention about
Longstreet’s July 2, 1863, attacks and battles are examined, along with the roots of the
Longstreet – Gettysburg Controversy and the merits of second wife Helen Dortch Longstreet’s
early 20 th -century attempts to address them.
There have been a number of books published on the subject. But Cory Pfarr’s efforts are
always the best, riveting without reservation or qualification, because unlike impressionistic
and journalistic writings, each of Cory’s, as well as those six writers he shares his available space
with, are based upon accurate historical scholarship treating Longstreet in depth and at all
times projecting his mind and personality against the perspective of Lincoln’s and Ulysses S.
Grant’s. Great, great work, Cory, for 101% pure academic scholarship plus real writing!
