Eric Weider
Eric Weider
Title: Publisher, Armchair General Magazine
Hobbies: Reading history, touring battlefields, playing guitar
Background: Eric was born and raised in Montréal, Canada, but has lived in southern California for the past fifteen years. He is now a proud citizen of the USA.
Eric’s father and uncle (Ben and Joe Weider) are the recognized founders of the modern fitness movement with business activities in magazine publishing, nutritional supplements and exercise equipment. During the course of his life Eric has worked at every position in the business from loading orders on trucks to working out complex financings with banks. He truly learned the business from the ground up! Most recently Eric has served as President of his family’s business since 1997.
{default}Eric is now putting his magazine publishing skills to work in the field of history, and specifically military history. Having grown up in a household where history was always a priority, he is doing all he can to bring history to life (Eric’s father, Ben, is a world leading authority on Napoleon and discovered that Napoleon was in fact poisoned!). His dream is to see as many people as possible share his fascination for history and the amazing people that history is really about. Eric passionately believes that we must do more to make history accessible and exciting especially for the youth of America who must never forget the heritage on which America is built.
SIR/Ma’am: I have written an article about General Patton which I would like to publish in a history magazine. Anyone interested? Please contact me at KBowersJr@cox.net.
Good morning,
I am in search of finding soldier bibles with a steel plate in the front like they used during the Viet Nam war. I noticed in doing a search that your article about them came up. They seem impossible to locate and a request from a chaplin going to Iraq. Can you help me locate them and a large quantity of them? Please advise. Thanks you. Linda
Dear Armchair,
I am the Battalion Command Sergeant Major of the Warrior Transition Battalion located in Ft. Knox, KY. I was wondering if you could get me in contact with LTG (R) Hal Moore. I would love to speak with to see if he could speak to our Wounded Warriors here at Knox. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
CSM Randy C. Bottom
WTB, Bn CSM
OFF: 502-624-3251
BB: 502-296-2835
PC: 270-789-9147
randy.bottom@us.army.mil
I would like to know if you would lie to use my story on the civil war”A YANKEE PRISONER IN TAXAS”or ww2 story “A TWIST OF FATE OVER AUSTRIA”Albert castel was my mentor at WMU.Thanks,Herb Swingle–585-377-4357
I recently finished Guest Editing a Special Issue on History for the Sage journal Simulation & Gaming. For this special issue, I wrote a review of
your Command Decision Game concept. I am Section Editor for the Game reviews for S&G.
I wrote the review to point out to teachers the potential of the CDG as an interactive and stimulating tool for teaching history (and possibly other
subjects). The review is available Online at Sage at this link: http://sag.sagepub.com/pap.dtl The paper edition is due for 2010.
I am sure Sage will let Armchair General, as a fellow publication, quote and use the review.
Amitiés,
Pierre
Eric,
I would like to express my regrets to you Eric on the passing of your father. I still remember reading and sharing with my classes your article on your faded picture of your grandfather from Russia. You have honored your family name and your father was a great man. I’m sorry for your lose.
sincerely,
Dave Witzig
History teacher, Normal Community High School, Normal, IL
I helped the late Charles B. MacDonald with his research for the book “A Time For Trumpets” concerning the Battle of the Bulge. He and I conducted tours of the Ardennes battlefield over a number of years. I became interested in the battle for the Krinkelterwald and run staff rides there for U.S. servicemen based in Germany. My interest has led me to write a 10,000 word manuscript about the defense of the west bank of the Jansbach Creek telling in the words of the G.I.’s who were there about their own expriences in the battle. MacDonald told his story in the book “Compsny Commander”. My manuscript tells the reader about the experiences of the men of 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infanrtry including MacDonald’s battalion commander. It is a most interesting tory and well worth publishing.
William. C. C.Cavanagh
Mr.Weider
How do you feel about publishing my article ? It covers the experiences of the G.I’s who defended the west bank of the Jansbach in which two Medals of Honor were earned. I would like to send you the article if you are interested.
Can you help us get the word out about Sgt. York’s school possibly being torn down?
Efforts to save, restore school built by Sgt. York extend across the globe
Assistance from throughout the world is being sought to ensure that the school built by WWI hero Sgt. Alvin C. York is saved from demolition.
The National Register of Historic Places-recognized York Agricultural Institute building (circa 1925), which was slated for demolition by its owner, the State of Tennessee Department of Education, was the subject in 2008 of numerous news stories throughout the country and several emotion-filled public hearings on Capitol Hill in Nashville.
After months of struggle, the State agreed to turn over the building to the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, a 501c3 organization formed 15 years ago by descendants of Sgt. York, including his three surviving children, and many devotees of the reluctant young World War I soldier from Pall Mall, Tenn., whose resolve in battle brought him world-wide recognition.
However, instead of personally capitalizing on his military accomplishments, one of the most highly decorated American soldiers to serve in the First World War, looked to the future.
“When I went out into that big outside world I realized how uneducated I was and what a terrible handicap it was,†York wrote. “I was called to lead my people toward a sensible modern education.â€
Though York’s efforts, which included fundraising on a national scale and twice mortgaging his own home, the school of which he had dreamed opened in 1925.
“His vision was not limited to the education of children from the remote Cumberland plateau region,†said Dr. Michael Birdwell, Associate Professor of History at Tennessee Technological University and Archivist of Alvin C. York’s papers. “He wanted to include interested adults as well. He set a tremendous example, for he reminded them when he spoke, of his own former limitations, but that by reading, thinking and asking questions, he broadened his own understanding of the world.â€
York presided over every graduation ceremony until his stroke in 1948, but continued to make regular visits to the school up into the late 1950s, until he grew too frail. When the building was replaced with a more modern facility, neglect took a serious toll on the venerable structure.
“The foundation he helped dig and walls he helped build remained solid, though bricks were falling from its façade,†Birdwell commented, observing that “glass remained in few windows, and birds nested in the building’s rafters. The building which should have been a monument to that achievement, sat as a derelict shell of what it should be.â€
With the commitment of the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation and the cooperation of the State’s education department, the building is currently being stabilized and will be restored for use once again as an educational facility, both preserving York’s legacy and fulfilling his dream.
A celebration honoring the legacy of the Upper Cumberland’s own Sgt. Alvin C. York is set for July 25 in Cookeville at Southern Hills Golf Club. The York Summer Ball, the first of what will become an annual event, includes a reception, auction, cash bar and full catered dinner, followed by live jazz Among the items donated for the auctions are antiques, art, trips, dinners and more.
“We are accepting donations of items or services suitable for auction at this special event,†explained Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation Executive Director Claudia Johnson-Nichols. “All proceeds from the night’s festivities benefit restoration of the original structure that housed York Institute in Jamestown.â€
Deadline for ticket purchases or Ball auction donations is July 15.
“Support for the York Summer Ball will help the Foundation meet our agreement with the State,†Johnson-Nichols said. “Support can mean purchasing tickets, donating items for the auctions or just making tax-deductible contributions to the Foundation, either earmarked for restoration of the York Institute or for our many other initiatives that honor the life of Sgt. York.â€
For a downloadable invitation to the ball, visit http://www.sgtyorkpatrioticfoundation.blogspot.com. Contact Johnson-Nichols at 931-347-2664 to offer support. Visit http://www.sgtyork.org to learn more about the Foundation and the progress being made at York Institute.
Cutline for available photo:
Though Sgt. Alvin C. York’s efforts, which included fundraising on a national scale and twice mortgaging his own home, the school of which he had dreamed, York Agricultural Institute, opened in Jamestown in 1925. York, wearing a white shirt in the center of this vintage photograph, was involved in every aspect of the building’s construction, including digging its foundation. More than eight decades later the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation is fighting to save the building from demolition and restore it for adaptive reuse as an educational facility.
Photo courtesy of Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation
Media – For more information contact:
Claudia Johnson-Nichols, Executive Director, Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation
Email: sypfdirector@gmail.com
Phone: 931.347.2664
Foundation correspondence: P.O. Box 484, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
Donations: P.O.B. 100, Pall Mall, Tennessee 38577
Web: http://www.sgtyork.org
Blog: http://www.sgtyorkpatrioticfoundation.blogspot.com
I am a novice writer just starting out on this journey to explore my passion and rejection is a staple. Most magazines require you to be an experienced writer so breaking in can be tought.
I normally write in the Religious and Animal subject matter markets (or am trying anyway!) I am not as comfortable with History writing despite loving History.
I recently submitted an article idea (without reading and of the magazines first, novice mistake!) and it was not fit for any of the magazines. This could have been devistating but because of the exceptional team you have working for you, it was a joy to be rejected!
Each of your editors took a few moments to encourage me, let me down lightly and even suggest alternative markets for my article. This is something I have never experienced, not even in the Religious markets.
I wanted to take the time to let you know how impressed I was with your team. Great teams are a direct product of great leaders and the way I was treated as someone pushing my goods on you, not even a subscriber (yet!) was a rare gem in today’s society.
So thank you, Mr. Weider for not only building a franchise dedicated to history, but for taking the time to ensure that you take a historical approach to how you treat all the people your team comes in contact with. You have made me a fan for life!
Elisabeth Sherrell – Fort Worth, Texas
Eric,
Merry Christmas to you and all at ACG. A leader in both “health and fitness”, as well as military history pulbishing domains; as well as being a wonderful boss, friend and close “brother”.
During this season, my prayers are with you and your family as you honor and remember your father’s memory –
Semper Fidelis
Frank
Hi Eric —
Gosh I haven’t seen you since I delivered the Barry Goldwater letter to you in person –referencing Her Men & Majesty documentary. Rather than go into this continuing saga here please respond when you have some time. Still a friend — Richard Ciera
Hello
I don’t know who to speak with about this? But, I have a relative who was a waist and ball turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator. He is still with us living in Oklahoma. I speak with him once in a blue moon on he phone. He tells me things he did and was involved with during his time flying in WW2. He has sent me some short stories that some men he flew with have wrote through the years.
I was wondering if someone might be interested in printing a story in WW2 magazine.
If your interested at all, I would like to hear from you. I will tell you more.
Paul Billings
St. Louis, Mo
My wife and I invite you to take a moment to go to http://www.addalets.com as we’re honoring the veterans this week by listing NORMANDY as the Theme Word for the next few days. Addalets is a puzzle word game that also has an informative component in order to teach all that play the game a bit about the history of the chosen word. With NORMANDY we help those who are not aware realize the significance of D-Day and why it was so pivotal in ending the war.
Mr. Weider,
Having read your profile, I am glad to see that we have the same goals – namely to keep history alive and make it exciting for young people.
In 2009 I put on the Battle of Waterloo in miniature for the “Treasures of Napoleon Exhibit ” at the Muzeo in Anaheim, Ca and was pleasantly surprised by the interest shown by children to play out the battle. And it was a real treat for me to actually recreate Waterloo in the shadow of Napoleon’s (actual) campaign hat.
As founder of Battlebook.com ( an historical miniature wargaming site that is soon to go live) I would like to discuss the possibiltity of accessing your archives to augment the battle scenarios that will be presented online in exchange for promoting your historical magazines on my website.
regards,
r.j. galati
Irvine, ca
I would love to see ACG available on my Nook Color. Please consider it.
V/r
Don
Albert Castel was my mentor in college.In May-June-1994-“Civil War Times”he wrote and artice on Dr.Mary Walker-“Sumaritan or Charlatan”.Would it be possible to obtain a copy of that article what ever the cost.Thanks-Herb Swingle-26 Columbia Court-Fairport,NY-14450
The program as such is very good and historically correct, however there too many Mickey Mouse things in the video portion that are disturbing and at times , comical. Too many times a tank main gun round is shown being fired and what is shown is the entire round, including shell casing flying toward the target.
WHY? Is there no comprehension as to how a round of ammunition functions? Another very poor depiction is of a Sherman, T-34, Sturmgeschütz, Tiger or Panther executing a neutral steer, or pivot. No WW II tanks were able to pivot as shown. Tiger, Panther and Jagdtiger with newer transmissions, had an extremely slow pivot to some degree, but nowhere near what is depicted. In the current program showing a Stug unit, the one damaged vehicle maneuvering to confront a T-34 could only have negotiated forward-reverse movements to align the gun, and could never have pivoted into position as shown in the video. Same with the Sherman engaging a Panther. A Sherman’s totally unsynchronized 5 speed manual crash box cannot pivot in any way. It was difficult at times, having to wait for that %*^# tranny to slow down to where one could get it into reverse…or visa versa. The early T-34 had it worse, with the bow gunner often assisting the driver with a steel bar or hammer just to shift the 4 piece transmission. Sorry, no pivot!
How about getting with the video games composers and add some realistic movements and keep Hollywood out of it. I have 25 years working with tanks and served on the first tanks capable of executing a pivot (neutral steer)…the M-46 and M-41. Tanks previous to them could not.
Sincerely,
Bill
Clartification of my commenmts. This is in regard to “Greatest Tank Battles”. These seems to be no way to contact History channel via email. The web site led me to you.
I love Armchair General magazine as well as Military History magazine, keep up the great work. Also, sorry about your uncle passing today, he will be remembered.