Dr. James Hedtke, professor and chair of the history and political science department at Cabrini College, recently published Civil War Professional Soldiers, Citizen Soldiers, and Native American Soldiers of Genesee County, New York: Ordinary Men of Valor (The Edwin Mellen Press, 2006).
Instead of focusing on the efforts of a single individual or unit, as many Civil War books do, Ordinary Men of Valor captures the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of the more than two million "ordinary" soldiers.
The citizen-soldiers of Genesee County, New York, especially the roles played by residents Emory Upton and Ely Parker, are detailed. Hedtke edited and researched the material with students.
"Ordinary Men of Valor is the first Civil War volume that chronicles the contributions of citizen soldiers," said Dr. Jolyon Girard, professor of history and political science at Cabrini.
"The book allows the reader to become acquainted with unfamiliar individuals and units who faithfully performed their duty during this fiery ordeal. I recommend this work to scholars and Civil War buffs alike."
Ordinary Men of Valor is the second book Hedtke has authored in the past four years. He also is the author of Lame Duck Presidents: Myth or Reality (The Edwin Mellen Press, 2002).