So, Ye Want to be a Reenactor? A Living History Handbook [Paperback]

Brenton C. Kemmer (Author), Karen L. Kemmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001

Whether you are wondering how to get started in reenacting, or a veteran of many encampments, this book has something for you! Learn how to select the time period that's right for you, join a reenactment unit, get the clothing and equipment needed, and se

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a common sense approach to getting started...bridge[s] the gap between veteran reenactors and the general reader..." -- Robert Emerson, Executive Director, Old Fort Niagara

"...full of information ... can save you both time and money as you start down your own trail of reenacting adventures." -- Jeff Dykehouse, Interpretation Supervisor, Mackinac State Historic Parks

About the Author

The authors have been involved in reenacting for twenty years as a family, and have represented several different time periods for a variety of different organizations. Both authors have degrees in history and in education. Brenton Kemmer is the author ot two previous books, "Freemen, Freeholders, and Citizen Soldiers: An Organizational History of Col. Jonathan Bagley's Regiment, 1755-1760," and "Redcoats, Yankees, and Allies: A History of the Uniforms, Clothing, and Gear of the British Army in the Lake Champlain-Lake george Corridor, 1755-1760."

Product Details

• Paperback: 149 pages
• Publisher: Heritage Books Inc. (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0788417320
• ISBN-13: 978-0788417320
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,040,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice basic guide, June 22, 2001

By 

P. Geyer "prgeyer" (Vienna, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: So, Ye Want to be a Reenactor? A Living History Handbook (Paperback)

I'm actually very glad to see a book written specifically for those wanting to get started in reenactment. Many of the hints given in this book are useful. It seems to be rather limited in its scope, though. The book is written exclusively from the perspective of a French and Indian War reenactor. Unfortunately, this is one of the smaller groups that are out there. While there are certainly many similarities between what they do, and what groups like American Civil War and World War II do, there are also many differences. This problem shows up particularly in the web resources section, which unfortunately overlooks many of the biggest and most useful sites out there for other time periods.

I applaud the effort though. Despite my nitpicking, there's a lot of information in this book that new reenactors would find useful.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Features step by step help from experts, September 10, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So, Ye Want to be a Reenactor? A Living History Handbook (Paperback)

Brenton Kemmer and Karen Kemmer effectively collaborate in writing So, Ye Want To Be A Reenactor?: A Living History Handbook, a straightforward collection of short, essay-style instructions to putting together an excellent, realistic, accurate, inexpensive, and safe historical reenactment. So, Ye Want To Be A Reenactor? features step by step help from experts, written in a style that those with even the most casual interest can immediately digest. Black and white illustrations, photographs, and the occasional diagram pepper this book, and the appendices contain plenty of web sites, living history organizations, suggested reading materials, sample event schedules, worksheets, and forms for recording research source records and military service records. A "must" for anyone interested in the fascinating performance art of recreating historical drama!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, January 26, 2004

By 

Jason Henning (Houghton Lake, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So, Ye Want to be a Reenactor? A Living History Handbook (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for the beginner, just getting into re-enacting as well as the seasoned re-enactor who wants to learn more about this unique hobby.