| histdean | 11 Nov 2008 5:43 p.m. PST |
Hey all! I am somewhat of an expert on the American Revolution. However, I know very little about the American Civil War.
I just returned from my second trip to Gettysburg and I want to do some reading on the battle.
What is the best comprehensive book on the Gettysburg battle/campaign? I'm not interested in the politics of the campaign, just the battle itself, casualties, key skirmishes and the like.
Any suggestions? |
| Dan Beattie | 11 Nov 2008 6:26 p.m. PST |
Two books make this an easy answer: the best single volume is "Gettysburg" by Stephen Sears; the new "Gettysburg Companion" goes into the military details. I would recommend not skipping over the parts of Sears that cover events before the battle. To do so, would be like looking at a painting without a frame. |
| Man of Few Words | 11 Nov 2008 8:22 p.m. PST |
For extensive reading, one word: Pfanz ! |
| Midpoint | 11 Nov 2008 8:40 p.m. PST |
Try the new Mark Adkins book – The Gettysburg Companion |
| Arteis | 12 Nov 2008 1:19 a.m. PST |
Yep, I've got a brand shiny new Adkin book here in front of me, and comprehensive it certainly is! Everything someone new to the period could want. And beautifully presented, too. |
| WarWizard | 12 Nov 2008 2:10 a.m. PST |
I'd recommend the new Gettysburg Companinon also. |
| Jacko27 | 12 Nov 2008 3:15 a.m. PST |
Adkin is the one you need |
| nickhartley | 12 Nov 2008 3:17 a.m. PST |
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| Scott Mingus | 12 Nov 2008 5:08 a.m. PST |
One more vote for the Gettysburg Companion. Another classic book well worth a read is Edward Coddington's The Gettysburg Campaign. It is widely regarded by the Licensed Battlefield Guides and many Park Rangers as the best overall guide to the entire campaign, and is on the list of recommended reading for those of us who have studied to take the Park Service's biannual licensing examination. |
| Chris Palmer | 12 Nov 2008 5:19 a.m. PST |
If you have a little extra time, I would recommend "The Killer Angels". It is historical fiction, but gives an excellent perspective on the battle from the soldiers viewpoint. |
ScottWashburn  | 12 Nov 2008 5:30 a.m. PST |
I'll second Coddington. Sears' book is good, too, with some refreshing re-interpretations of the respective command structures. |
| Maui Jim | 12 Nov 2008 10:56 a.m. PST |
Aloha, At the risk of not going along with the Adkin cheerleading, I think the Gettysburg Companion is beautifully presented, and comprehensive in its scope. So if your criteria is limited to presentation and scope, then, yes, this book is very worthwhile. Now, insofar as his numerous and glaring factual errors in the text, well, then, that's another matter that significantly diminishes the value of the book's narrative. My humble opinion… Me ke aloha, MJ |
| Regulars | 12 Nov 2008 1:14 p.m. PST |
The official US Army Web site on the Battle of Gettysburg is at:
link Books: #1 "The Killer Angels" #2 U. S. Army War College Guide to the Battle of Gettysburg by Jay Luvaas (Editor), Harold W. Nelson (Editor) Cheers, |
| HardRock | 12 Nov 2008 2:36 p.m. PST |
Osprey's Campaign Series Gettysburg is also very good. Not so in depth as the others but a good OOB and overview of the three days. |
| histdean | 12 Nov 2008 7:00 p.m. PST |
MJ, My criteria includes factual accuracy. I am not interested in reading a "pretty story" that has major historical issues. Is this what I should expect from this book? If so, I'm not interested. |
| donlowry | 12 Nov 2008 7:23 p.m. PST |
Sears' or maybe Andre Trudeau's. Or Coddington's. |
| onmilitarymatters | 13 Nov 2008 11:59 a.m. PST |
If you'd like to read a short book review, see the table of contents, and read an excerpt from Battle of Little Round Top, go to the OMM home page (www.onmilitarymatters.com) and click on the link on the left: "Featured Books-Reviews, Excerpts and Contents" and scroll down to Gettysbug Companion. Dennis from OMM
onmilitarymatters.com |
prepares to do some regimental-level ACW gaming.
