Thoughts on the morn…
The Roman Pack in march order.
As a reenactor vs. being a “LIVING HISTORIAN” I have some different priorities. Those who consider themselves “LIVING HISTORIANS” do this, they say, for a higher purpose. They wish to “educate the chilllldren” or some such thing. That’s great. Most of us however, really just wish to experience a little slice of life then. A taste if you will. We don’t wish to be killed. We don’t wish to march 25 miles a day with a full pack, we don’t wish to have our feet caned for minor infractions. However, we wish to try the food, to know what caligae feel like after being worn all day. How the armor feels and just “HOW” did they wear that piece of gear. Here are some thoughts on “LIVING HISTORIANS“… this guy is mainly talking about WWII reenacting but it’s all good — he NAILS it! Of course, the “LIVING HISTORIANS aren’t too thrilled with him. He has some good thoughts in his rants and some are just downright funny (and sadly true). Give it a read.
Ende
Well, he pretty much nails it in terms of WWII reenacting, but he well misses the mark when it comes to other periods. (Which is another reason I won’t be doing WWII much longer. WWII reenactors, or those involved in it (whether vendor or participant) tend more than other other periods I have tried to somehow think they are somehow representative of the reenacting hobby overall. I recall a recent conversation with a WWII reenactor, and when trying to describe a quality living history program/presentation, he said, “Oh, so you’re not talking about real reenacting, are you?”)
I genuinely like Rollin, and he runs a great business which I have been more than happy to support over the years. The “living history” types I have known (and I’m including folks from numerous periods here), and he so readily denigrates, also happen to be some of the best historians I have known, and make their living at “history” whether it is at the PhD level, as a historian for one of our military branches, educational institution, museum work, etc. In sum, they are some of the most professional people I have had the joy to encounter in this “avocation”. I have long said that when WWII reenacting one day “gets over itself” and grows up, then many of the folks involved in other periods, museums, etc. will quit snickering at them from behind their hand. Face it, reenactors of *any* period do what they do because they like it, and enjoy exploring some aspect of the period of history they enjoy. When WWII reenactors lay down the honoring the vets line, and just admit this, their end of the hobby will have grown up a great deal.
I dunno. I see a LOT of Silly War folk (and others too) who go on and on about doing it “FOR THE CHILDREN” etc. About this grand thing they do. blah, blah, blah. All the puffiness and fake importance turns me off.
I kind of agree w/ Rollin. I don’t do this as a “presenter,” I am after some of what they knew. Even if it’s just how the canteen makes a certain noise. When I have people from other time periods bust my balls about, say WWI, because we don’t do it for the public, it enrages me. The public didn’t pay for that battlefield, WE DID, the reenactors. Same w/ WWII, it ain’t the public that pays for them guys to have armor, it’s them… they do it. Anyway, I’ve met people from all reenacting time periods and a good many seem to be all wrapped up in this in a weird way — to ME, WWI and WWII folks seem to be a bit more level-headed. Well, except for those people who only wish to come out to stand around…