Randolph B. Campbell is an author who carefully studied history before authoring his books. The two book reviews present Campbell as a historian author, teacher and researcher. This paper will explore what the two author’s perceived Campbell’s work. Ben Procter presents Campbell as an author who “meticulously researched” before writing the book. He notes that he studied an array of material; inclusive of newspapers, travel accounts, memoirs, government documents and manuscripts from diverse sources (Proctor 259). This implies he was a good researcher. Campbell is also portrayed as an investigator who deeply dug into Texas revolution, politics, and slave codes among other sources to get information. Ben concludes by saying that Campbell work is clear, well documented and readable and thus would please those interested in Antebellum Texas. The work should also interest Texas history enthusiasts (Proctor 259).
Wooster presents Campbell as a historian whose research fills the gap in southern historiography and Texas. He notes that, there has no previous work as comprehensive as Campbell work. He describes him as a professor who does not dwell on theory but strives to explore slavery and its growth (Wooster 264). He is also balanced in his interpretations and thus may disappoint readers eager for dramatic findings. He is an author who relies on evidence drawn from slave stories, court records, probate and other related documents. The book overall is described as a major contributor to the Antebellum America understanding. The book is surprising also since it notes that no slavery was better (Wooster 264).
The two reviews seem to have same description of Campbell. As a researcher, he is depicted to be a thorough researcher who does not leave any gaps in his work. Similarly, the works are seen to be based on hard evidence and not theories. It can therefore be concluded that, Campbell remains to be a distinguished professor, historian and researcher.
Works cited
Proctor, Ben. "Rev. of An Empire for Slavery: The Peculiar Institution in Texas, 1821-1865 byRandolph B. Campbell in Pacific Historical Review." JSTOR (TWU Database) 59.2 (1990): 258-259.
Wooster, Ralph . "Rev. of An Empire for Slavery: The Peculiar Institution in Texas, 1821-1865 by Randolph B. Campbell in The Journal of American History." JSTOR (TWU Database) 77.2 (1990): 663-664.
