It is good to be King  | 19 Jul 2014 7:46 a.m. PST |
I am going to visit Shiloh latter on this year and would like to read an account of the battle before my visit. I would appreciate some insight on the best books. |
| vtsaogames | 19 Jul 2014 8:19 a.m. PST |
Shiloh: Bloody April by Wiley Sword is my choice for best book. The visitor's center had a good film when I was there a few years back. Also, it's an easy 20 mile drive to Corinth which saw action later. But Shiloh is a great park. |
| Iowa Grognard | 19 Jul 2014 8:39 a.m. PST |
I was just there last week, you'll have a good time. Bloody April is good as is Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862 by Cunningham. The orientation film is indeed a good one. I'd recommend getting the audio tour from the bookstore with the notes for the park map as well as the topographical map which shows the landscape better. The park map is out of chronological order so the audio tour helps a lot even though you'll do some backtracking. Corinth's interpretive center is well worth the trip as mentioned. The Tennessee River museum is only a few miles away in Savannah and is worth the time. For lunch, while at the battlefield, The Catfish Hotel is just north of the Battlefield and alongside the River. You can find its menu online or tripadvisor. Other points of interests would include Ft Donelson, less than 2 hrs north, as well as La Grange, with a few historic houses, HQ's etc for the '63 campaign, about an hour west. |
 T Callahan | 19 Jul 2014 10:27 a.m. PST |
"Shiloh-in Hell before Night" by James Lee McDonough is a great read. I love visiting the park. My wife and I have been there 3 times and I am planning to go next year. I consider it one of the best NMP that we have. It is also one of the most pristine parks. Very little commercialization etc. I'd recommend seeing the movie it is the new one. Produced for the 150th anniversary. So it is updated and has better production qualities than the 1950's edition. When you are there get out and walk as much as you can. It is a wonderful place to walk around. Walk the Sunken Road from Duncan Field to Sara Bell's Cotton Field. Walk through the National Cemetery and visit the Confederate Burial Trench that is along the road. Have fun.
Terry |
| d effinger | 19 Jul 2014 10:36 a.m. PST |
Shiloh: Bloody April by Wiley Sword… ditto! Great book and the best. Don |
| Walter White | 19 Jul 2014 12:31 p.m. PST |
I'd recommend the Cunningham book. I believe that he used to be the head park ranger at Shiloh so he knew his stuff. It is a very detailed book that reminds me a bit of the Pfanz books on Gettysburg in its style. |
 ColCampbell | 19 Jul 2014 3:28 p.m. PST |
But remember to put on insect repellent as you'll probably attract mosquitos. Jim |
| Alabama | 19 Jul 2014 6:26 p.m. PST |
Shiloh is great!!! I would also pick up a tour book written with the help of Stephen Woodworth that is excellent in describing exact points of action on the battlefield. There is also a staff ride book about Shiloh which is also excellent for the first hand accounts of actions in specific parts of the battlefield. Larry Daniel also has written an excellent book about Shiloh. Also, Blue and the Gray has a great guide to the battlefield. |
 enfant perdus | 19 Jul 2014 9:49 p.m. PST |
Another vote for Cunningham. Superb book. Enjoy Shiloh. It's one of the best battlefield parks in the country. |
| dayglowill | 20 Jul 2014 2:51 a.m. PST |
I thoroughly enjoyed Winston Groom's Shiloh 1862. No idea if it's the "best" book on the subject as so far it's the only book, specifically about Shiloh, I have. |
is a naval wargamer who likes the smaller scales, so who better to show us how to paint small-scale ironclads?
