Greetings, loyal minions. Your Maximum Leader reads that Shelby Foote has died.

Your Maximum Leader, a student of history, has never been a particular fan of the US Civil War. But he has always been a fan of Shelby Foote. Your Maximum Leader picked up (years ago) in a second-hand bookstore a copy of “The Stars in their Courses.” That small book is the republished chapters on Gettysburg from Foote’s masterpiece “The Civil War: A Narrative.” Your Maximum Leader was so taken by Foote’s style and flowing prose that he went out and read all three volumes of “The Civil War.” Since then, no other writing on that period will ever do for your Maximum Leader.

Your Maximum Leader also remembers a 3 hour interview with Foote conducted by Brian Lamb of C-Span a number of years ago. Your Maximum Leader watched the whole thing live. Foote was elevated to a much high plane for your Maximum Leader that day. What a thoughtful and learned man. Your Maximum Leader wanted to meet Shelby Foote and shake his hand. Alas, that will not happen.

Shelby Foote, resquiscat in pace.

Carry on.