"Whips and Whipmaking"
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My overall impression of this work is that this is not just a re-release of the 1st edition with a little Indiana Jones thrown in. This edition is FAR FROM a 30 year rehash of older material, but a refresh from a historical perspective. Mr. Morgan has not only shown the world that he can make a world-class whip, an achievement that has inspired and revitalized the craft to a new generation of whipmakers, but he has now shown his scholarly talent in connecting the dots to the origin of the American Bullwhip. I can make that statement because I have tried very hard to do the scholarly research on the origin of the American Bullwhip and it is extremely difficult in gathering the documentation. I have discussed the method of research with David and both of us agreed that the documentation is not there sitting on some shelf in a large library, university or government office. If it was, we or someone would have found it by now. If there is that type of documentation it is most likely hidden in some trunk, in some attic or barn somewhere in the lower 48 states. More importantly, through his long career David has been able to meet with old performers (John McNish - aka Dakota Jack) and old whipmakers like Elmer Seyboldt and several notable others to get a good feel of what types of bullwhips where in use during the early pioneer phase of our country.
This 2nd edition introduced the Mongol whip as an important major contributor to the world of whips. The Mongol whip, as catalogued by David was an important piece of whipmaking history that enabled the reader to connect the dots to the American Bullwhip along with the Western European (finely braided thongs) whipmaking. These two styles allowed the fusion to be known as the American Bullwhip, which later was the inspiration for David Morgan's Bullwhip model 455 - the whip used in the Indiana Jones trilogy. These two styles of whipmaking fused with the Australian two belly technique David learned from T.D. Hill was how the 455 came into being. It's amazing to read this in the 2nd edition and finally grasp how David resurrected the craftsmanship and the correct redefinition of the American Bullwhip as it exists today.
Lastly, in my opinion, this 2nd edition flows much better. As mentioned earlier, the Mongol whip and Western (Celtic or Western European) whip history provides a better context with the historical perspective of whips and whipmaking that makes so much better sense to me now than ever before. The flow goes from:
- historical -> types of whips -> Development and Distribution of the Mongol Whip -> Whip Construction -> Dynamics & Design of Whips -> Whip used by Indiana Jones -> Whipcracking -> Maintenance and Repair -> Whipmaking for the Amateur
It is so much more logically layed out and easier to read than than the previous 1st edition. I highly recommend this 2nd edition to any fan here since David does now have a whole chapter devoted to the "Indiana Jones" bullwhip, but to any body that has a entry level to serious interest in the history, sport and making of whips. It's a must read and David has set a new high-water mark for all of us scholars.
Above is the 2nd edition on the left, with the 1st Printing of the 1st Edition in hardback (1972).
David my hat is off to you. You have done a great job in connecting the dots. I challenge anybody to do it better.
-Sergei
Above picture of David and me, recieving my 8 foot model 453.
