James Durney

In the late 1950s, Avalon Hill produced a game based on the Battle of Gettysburg. That Christmas gift was my introduction to the American Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. During the centennial, I looked at the stamps, watched some of the TV shows and for Christmas got the American Heritage Centennial History of the war. The maps showing troops moving and fighting over realistic landscapes fascinated me. Little by little, my interest in military history brought me to a war with battlefields I could visit.

By the mid 1980s, I had become an avid reader of civil war history. As the kids grew up and I made more money, my library expanded. The family knew that Christmas, birthdays and Father’s Day would always be one or more book gifts.

About 10 years ago, I started doing reviews of Civil War histories, leading to becoming a highly rated reviewer on Amazon, Borders and the B&N sites.  This introduced me into the world of publishing allowing me to correspond with a number of authors and publishers.  In addition to reviews, I do a monthly column on Civil War books and edit the local Round Table’s Newsletter.

I have been married since 1969, with two children and two grandchildren. In 2006, they downsized me into retirement after 40+ years developing and maintaining mainframe computer systems for Fortune 500 Companies. I take great pride in being a Viet Nam Vet, May 1967 to May 1968. I was a member of the adjunct faculty at New York University from 1980 to 1993. One the faculty gave me a first edition of Grant’s memories just before we moved to Tampa. The books have a place of honor in my library.

Retirement suits us. The kids are close, we see the grandkids often. I have more time to read and do reviews.

Thank you for taking the time to read my work and hope we can continue for many more years.

Comments

2 responses to “James Durney”

  1. […] Durney’s Monthly Civil War Book Notes:  Jim, a TOCWOC blogger and a top 500 Amazon.com reviewer, does a monthly roundup of new and upcoming books.  Be sure to […]

  2. Chris Parsons Avatar
    Chris Parsons

    Hi James,

    You emailed us at Muzzy Lane regarding Making History II. However, your email address did not get forwarded. Could you contact me directly?

    Thanks!

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