Broadfoot's Bookstore in Wendell, NC is one of those places that is a destination of its own. Located in a pastoral area on a country road with a small signboard out by the road with simply "Broadfoot's" painted on it is a book store for history lovers. Rare and out of print volumes rest on shelves arranged in spacious nooks from floor to overhead reach. With a comfortable roll-around chair in place and "Books" the cat, one can scan through the several nooks for books long wished for.

For libraries and serious collectors there are entire sets of research volumes and histories. In Tom Broadfoot's office one can find a 1st Edition 10 volume set of "Colonial Records of North Carolina" by Saunders and at a price less than you would expect. In the same room "Law's Alabama Brigade in the War Between the Union and Confederacy" by J. Gary Latine and Morris M. Penny, or "Gen. John Winder" by Blakey can be found along with the complete set of the Virginia Regimental Histories" series of volumes and the North Carolina State Troops volumes. "The Secret Service of the CSA in Europe" 2 volume set by James D. Bullock with introduction by Phillip VanDoren Stern is available there, too at a bargain price.

Every book one could ever want about Generals, Battles, Brigades, Regiments, Politicians, States, and the letters and histories by common soldiers is on the shelves at this store. This store is where other book dealers shop. On the day I visited, a dealer from Charleston was in there shopping for books to take to the annual Gettysburg reenactment.

With a limited budget I managed to find some treasures at the Broadfoot's book store. One is an obscure enriching volume from 1905, still retaining the gold gilt on the page edges, "Idle Comments" by Isaac Erwin Avery (named for the famous Colonel I. E. Avery of the 6th North Carolina and born of the same family in the same house). Another is "Confederate Burials Volume VII: Blandford Church Cemetery, Petersburg, VA" which is a roster of known soldiers buried there. The soldiers are from all across the South. I could not resist "A Pair of Blankets" by William H. Stewart. It is a classic reference book and the letters are written for children from the eyes of the "Pair of Blankets." Broadfoot has republished this must-read book and the edition I bought was the new re-published. All 3 books were purchased for $35.

Jean Cone and Randy Mosley, along with the cat "Books" are on hand Monday-Friday to fill orders and to aid shoppers. They are very hospitable and don't mind letting you browse through shelves of books that contain our Southern History.

Tom Broadfoot has been in business now for about 30 years. In addition to being a provider of Soldier Records (more on that in another article) he is a book seller, publisher and printer. He also buys book collections giving the seller a fair appraisal value and handles all the packing and shipping. So if you have a book you wrote and need published, or an old book you want reprinted, Broadfoot is the man to see. If you have a large collection of rare books that you want to sell now or to have sold to benefit your estate, Tom Broadfoot is the man to see. If you simply want to buy books, Broadfoot is the best source and his store is worth visiting. Only 15 miles East of Raleigh, NC, located on Robertson Pond Road, near Wendell, NC you can find them on the web at www.broadfootpublishing.com/wendell.htm < http://www.broadfootpublishing.com/wendell.htm> or call Ms. Jean or Randy at 1-800-444-6963.

"I want to thank you for the outstanding service I've received from your company.  This 'way of business' has become quite rare in our modern society.  It is obvious your reputation for quality service as well as product is well earned."

"Thank you so much for making the extra effort to copy/decipher the records on Alvin Bagley.  I. . . wanted very much to be able to read the document and share this with my children when they come over. . . I could almost imagine seeing him "being present" at roll call!  Thank you again very much for helping me "go back in time."

"You have been the most helpful and friendliest person I have dealt with over the phone for a long time.  Keep up the good work!  I have already recommended y'all to a friend of mine who is interested in researching his Civil War ancestor."

"I've spent 20 years trying to "officially" locate a Confederate ancestor without success.  I had his unit from a Texas application for pension, but could not get it verified by National Archives or Tennessee State Records.  Then several months ago I located him in Vol. XVI p. 448 of your publication The Roster of Confederate Soldiers…" 

"Thanks so much for your excellent service. . . ."^__Ted R. Greene, San Diego, CA

". . . I received the info I asked for today.  Thanks for such a quick turnaround!" 

The quality of your books is impressive."^__Prof. Justin Glenn, Florida State University

"Your work sets the standard by which all other publishers are judged.  I never hesitate to buy anything that has been issued by your company because I know I am getting first quality materials and service.  Thank you!"

"I've never dealt with nicer people on the phone than with your staff."

"I received the copies of the Confederate Service Records and they were far superior to what I got off the copy machines at the National Archives." 

“I was pleased with the services provided by Broadfoot.  They were courteous and the final product was excellent...great job with the cover.  I recommend them to any author.”

   The Civil War was a family affair.  Sim's family fought in every state where there was a battle.  Sim and his cousin, 2nd Lt. William Preston Mangum, were carried off the field at Manassas/Bull Run.  Sim served under Robert E. Lee at Second Manassas/Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg,  was captured at Rappahannock Station, and imprisoned at Point Lookout Prison Camp.

   This work also explores life on the home front through the missives of Sim's brother, William, who is a Captain in the 45th North Carolina Militia, and their sisters." 

    “This book is an eclectic and coherent mixture of letters, facts and figures, history, and genealogy.”

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“I was very impressed by the book.”

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“If the reader is interested in the 6th NCT or North Carolina troops, then add this volume to your library.”

* About the Author:  Mr. Schipke holds degrees from Yale University, Trinity College, and Nasson College.  He also attended the Universite de Caen, Normandy, France.

 (Author inscriptions of this first edition work are also available at no additional cost)

“When I first contacted Tom Broadfoot in 2001 about my idea for publishing a book, I didn't even know what questions to ask!  My first impression of Tom came when he stated to me that ‘everyone has to start at the beginning.'  That broke the ice...

   Tom went through the basic ‘do's and don't's' of book publishing with me.  He made it so simple for me to grasp that it wasn't long...that I felt at ease....

   With Tom and his staff guiding me along every step of the way it wasn't long before I knew my decision to have Broadfoot Publishing Company assist me was confirmed.  The complete process of self-publishing was the right choice for me, only because of the excellent level of service that I received from Broadfoot Publishing Company.

   My book sold out within one year after printing.  Those that purchased a copy of Beaufort County Heroes 1861-1865 spoke about the excellent quality of the dust jacket, photographs, contents and professionalism of the finished book.

   Because of the excellent support that I received from Tom and his staff, I plan to ask Broadfoot Publishing Company to publish two additional books that I am planning to have self-published.  I am pleased to recommend Broadfoot Publishing Company to anyone wishing to use their services!

   Sincerely,
   Louis W. Martin, Jr.
author
 

“The quality of the book printed by Broadfoot was superb!  It has received praise from a large number of people...I could not be more pleased with the results for the price.  A statisfied customer. ”

     In this book, at least a part of the history of that noble regiment is told.  The author has relied upon the words of the soldiers and others which have been recorded and preserved to present as accurate an account as possible of those events.  Through those words, the experiences - fear, hope, loneliness, hunger, suffering, defeat, resignation, and renewal - come alive for the reader.

      In the midst of these fascinating accounts of the general actions of the 7th, the author intersperses the experiences of the individual troopers.  Reports of their wounding, capture and its consequent suffering, and death from wounds and disease, are included from the various available sources.

    As you read this story you will be informed and, hopefully, forever touched by the lives and selfless service of the men of the 7th Regiment, Georgia Cavalry. 

*About the Author:  John W. Latty is also the author of A Place Called Calvary, a history of Calvary Baptist Church of Gainesville, Georgia.  He is a lifelong resident of Hall County, Georgia where his family has resided since 1818.  His forebearers prior to that time were residents of South Carolina from which his four times great grandfather, David, fought in the Revolutionary War.  Knowledge of this legacy naturally led to a keen interest in family and local history and, since several members of his family served in the 7th Cavalry, a desire to learn about and record its history.  This book is the fruit of that effort. 

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