I think the distinction here is that John Hilbert does history or, perhaps,
more accurately, compendium-izing, and Sam Sloan has lived part of the history
that Mr. Hilbert writes. Sloan IS history, and there will always be things
that he knows that the most careful student of the subject will not. Perhaps
Mr. Hilbert let down on the photo, given the info provided by George
Mirijanian. But Mr. Hilbert's work is carefully done on the whole.

John Hilbert's good points are taking pains, enormous research,
well-organized presentation of material, straightforward if not stylish
writing. His key weak point is sometimes not knowing when to eliminate
information that does not belong in a work of history as opposed to a
compendium.

Taylor Kingston's argument represents rushing to the barricades against
what should have been better sense on his part. He should simply have written,
"Sloan's right in the main. John Hilbert, who is normally pretty careful, let
down on this one."