Gettysburg

Rating:
Summary: Another great look at Gettysburg!
Review: Being a fan of Stephen Sears I was anxious to get my hands on this book as I have read many others of his. Sears style is clear, concise and interesting. Covering the great battle, Sears tackles a lot of ground from Lee's desires to take the war north of Virginia, Stuart's Cavalry operations, Union leadership, Confederate and Union positions, early marches and finally the battle itself. Sears always brings his words to life and this book is a great example of that. I liked reading about Lee's intentions as to why to press into Pennsylvania, Union leadership and Longstreet's approach to handling Lee's orders. These were just a few of the many great chapters inside this informative and entertaining book about the Battle of Gettysburg. 5 STARS!!!

Rating:
Summary: Insightful and Detailed
Review: Gettysburg is aimed toward readers familiar with the Civil War who want detailed information not available in general histories. Prospective readers should not expect much information about the personalities on the field, political environment, and events external to the Gettysburg campaign. Gettysburg opens with an excellent discussion of the options available in Mid-May 1863 and the reasons why the Army of Northern Virginia invaded Pennsylvania instead of aiding the deteriorating situation in the West. Next, the narrative and excellent maps of the armies movements leading to the battle comprise the best explanation of why and how the battle came about that I have encountered. The chapters to this point of the book by themselves are well worth Gettysburg's price. Another section of special note is the preparations for Pickett's Charge which cast the Army of Northern Virginia as short-sighted and near bumbling. Robert E. Lee does not fare well throughout this book. Besides Lee, Sears is also hard on Ewell, A.P. Hill, Stuart, and numerous divisional and brigade commanders causing my opinion of Southern leadership to fall a notch. Since the South lost a battle it should not have fought, such a critical eye is justified. The performance of the Army of the Potomac's command is described as a mixed bag too. However, besides the usual heroes such as Buford, Hancock, and Gibbon, Meade is clearly described as having out-generaled Lee rather than being a figurehead along for the ride as some other authors have described. In other cases, Sears puts some contributions in perspective. For example, while clearly identifying Chamberlain and the 20th Maine as heroes, he emphatically states they did not single-handedly win the battle of Little Round Top. An enormous amount of detail is packed into the book, sometimes more than I care to know or can absorb in one sitting. However, sometime in the future if I want to refresh my knowledge of the battle, I am glad to know that this book will be on my bookshelf. Sear's Gettysburg is one of those books that I will periodically refer to and reread for the rest of my life

Rating:
Summary: A respectful look at those who fought.
Review: If this is the first or only book you read on Gettysburg, then a wise choice you have made. Within this book are historical background that led to the North's great victory, the military tactics of each side, the faults and achievements of generals and enlisted men, and finally the human faces of those who fought and suffered.

Sears' documents the plundering by Lee's army against the Northern inhabitants. The southern officers extorting U.S. backed funds from town leaders upon threat of town destruction, while only occasionally leaving confederate bills that were already nearly worthless in their own states. This information is contrary to many simplified versions of supposed southern chivalry.

Sears makes clear why credit is due to General Meade for out-generaling Lee. Sears too raises questions about Lee's lack of foresight in planning for the battle. Gettysburg is where some of Lee's character traits (e.g., his preference for hands off leadership, and vagueness in giving orders) eventually doomed his campaign.

It is also disappointing to see Lee's inability to admit failure and his trying to spin success from the defeat. I am reminded of the true story of when then President Eisenhower gave a tour of the battlefield to former British Field Marshall Montgomery. The latter surveyed the sight of Pickett's charge with incredulity as to how a charge command could have ever been issued. "What would you have done to me if I had given such an order?" asked Montgomery to his former commander. Eisenhower quickly replied, "I would have fired you!" Politically, Eisenhower regretted this statement because of his southern constituency, but he spoke the truth. Any one of us who have walked the battlefield could see at once the folly of Lee's plan of attack, and Meade's wisdom to remain prepared.

Finally, Sears' book is most noteworthy for his reminder throughout the text that Gettysburg is ultimately a story of humans, their faults, their bravery, their commonness to those who now live. These men were sons, fathers, husbands, and not just statistics. This is what I believe to be the most important story of Gettysburg and the Civil War. I'll leave it to others to play imaginary war games of the battle on their computers, or act as weekend mock soldiers.
Also recommended, by Sears, McClellan; William Davis, "Look Away! A History of the Confederate States of American;" and Roy Blount, Jr.'s, Robert E. Lee.

Rating:
Summary: So What ????
Review: Not badly written, but given the vast body of works on Gettysburg it would seem that a general history should offer something new: new insight, opinions, whatever. This volume offers nothing new at all. It adds nothing to Gettysburg scholarship, and in many ways merely repeats hackneyed old themes and prejudices. One cannot but wonder if this title was added to the Sears catalog simply to sell more books. Certainly anything with "Gettysburg" in the title will sell, even if it is rubbish. I would not quite ascribe that word to Sears' book, in that it is a decently-constructed narrative, but it is not a serious historical analysis at all. It is, in the end, just another mediocre (at best) general work on the battle, and I doubt whether that is really needed on anyone's shelf.

On a positive note, my copy was free. If you can obtain it for that price, it is worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: The Real (and very complete) Story
Review: Quite possibly the definitive work on that battle which was really a turning point in the American Civil War. Exhaustively researched, this book covers every aspect of the battle from the first hint that a battle might be coming to the last confederate retreating back across the Potomac. This book is not the place to start a study of the Civil War, but is indespensable for the well-versed.

I think it would be possible to use this book to find out about the actions of almost every soldier on the battlefield those days. It seems that every regiment, of every division, of every corp is covered. I would say that there is so much here that you can't make sense out of it, but that isn't true. The general descriptions of what is happening come first, then the increasing detail down to the smaller units.

I read this just after reading the book Gettysburg by Gingrich/Forstchen. I found the comparison fascinating. Meade in moving up to Gettysburg wrote a memo advocating a defensive battle at Pipe Creek - but that really belongs in the review of another book.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful writing but little new information
Review: Sears' latest book gives us the beautiful writing we have come to expect from him but provides little new information. The book offers a well told introduction to Gettysburg for those beginning to seriously study that pivotal engagement. The narrative is clear and a pleasure to read. He also displays a gift for painting word pictures and summarizing in pithy phrases what others would take several paragraphs to describe. Another plus is Sears' practice of writing fast paced battle histories rather than dry social commentaries, like some academic authors.

However, this book appears to be rather lightly researched. This is probably due to the fact that Sears produces a new book every couple of years or so. Frequent book production does not permit the same years of research and depth of information that are found in the works of authors like Coddington and Pfanz. Also, the maps were quite basic and not very numerous. Readers seeking new and detailed maps should consult such sources as Noah Trudeau's book or John Imhof's atlas for the second day.

To summarize, Sears has given us an excellent overview of the battle, but not a definitive account.

Rating:
Summary: GUTTWRENCHING
Review: Stephen Sears has a reputation as one of the top Civil War authors writing today and with Gettysburg he maintains that reputation.

What makes Sears stand out amoung the rest is he's simply a fine writer. Some books on the Civil War are written by people who while they do good research and know their subject matter, don't always have the best writing skills. The result can sometimes be a book that's a bit on the dry side. That is not the case with Sears who combines both fine scholarly research with great writing. His writing style is so good that his books read with the ease of a good novel.

If you are new to the Civil War and looking for one book that covers the entire Gettysburg campaign then this book will be a fine choice for you.

Rating:
Summary: Another excellent battle book from Sears
Review: Stephen W. Sears continues to hold his position as one of the most readable of ACW authors. Able to inform and entertain at the same time, Sears catches the reader and never lets go. Some will question the need for "another" book on Gettysburg. Others will point out that this could be considered a rewrite of Coddington's work. I have not tired of Gettysburg books nor of Sears' work.

This is an excellent book. Those that say nothing can be done with Gettysburg need to read this, Sears proves them wrong. He bring a very fresh and intellgent view to the Lee/Longstreet confrontation of the Second.

If you enjoy reading about Gettysburg and want a new book on the campaign, this is the one!

Rating:
Summary: Sears's Gettysburg
Review: The Civil War, particularly the Battle of Gettysburg, retains its hold on the imagination of Americans. We seek to understand our country by studying the events of these terrible but formative years. The Civil War did indeed lead to a "new birth of freedom" in the United States. We still struggle to understand and to develop the implications of this "new birth".

Stephen Sears is a distinguished military historian of the Civil War who has written in this book an outstanding account of the pivotal battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863). This battle ended the Confederacy's second invasion of the Union (the first invasion ended with the Battle of Antietam in September, 1862). Coupled with the Confederacy's surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 4, 1863, Gettysburg ended the South's ability to wage an offensive war and probaby ended as well its chance of winning the war.

Sears gives a full account of the battle and of the events leading to Lee's second invasion of the North, beginning with Lee's victory over the Union Army at Chancellorsville in May, 1863. Sears explains well how the invasion was linked to the impending Confederate loss at Vicksburg. General Lee put forward the invasion to Jefferson Davis as a calculated gamble and a means to counteract this loss.

The book offers detailed pictures of the march into Pennsylvania of the preludes to the Battle of Gettysburg, of the battle itself, and of Lee's subsequent retreat into Virginia. There are excellent pictures of each of the three days of the battle, beginning with the two great armies stumbling on each other on day one, continuing with the ferocity of the Southern charge on the Union left (Little Round Top) on day two, and concluding climactically with General George Pickett's doomed charge at the center of the Union line on day three. I found the story of Pickett's charge dramiatically and poignantly told. The book describes Lee's retreat and Meade's pursuit into Virginia following the battle. Sears, in general, exonerates Meade from the charge that he failed to pursue Lee adequately following the battle, to destroy Lee's army, and to bring the War to an end.

At least as important as the factual development of the events of the campaign, Sears gives the reader an analysis of why events developed as they did. In particular, Sears views the battle as a result of Southern overconfidence and arrogance -- hubris -- resulting from the many victories attained by the Army of Northern Virginia in the early years of the War. General Lee felt contempt for the fighting spirit of the Union Army and for its leaders which led him to underestimate the spirit of the Federals, especially when they were called upon to defend their own land.

Sears also points out many failures in the Confederate High Command during the invasion. The primary failure, I believe, involved Lee and his cavalry commander Jeb Stuart. Stuart left the invading army at a critical time and as a result Lee was deprived of knowledge of the whereabouts of the Union Army, its size, and of the terrain at Gettysburg. The Union enjoyed an overwhelming field position during the second and third days of Gettysburg.

There is a great deal made in Sears's' book of Lee's relationships with his other generals, particularly General James Longstreet. Longstreet objected vigorously to Lee's plans of battle on the second and third days, even while carrying out faithfully and aggressively his duties as a subordinate officer when the decisions had been made.

Sears contrasts the Southern command with that of the Union commander, George Meade, who had assumed command only four days before the battle. Meade was cautious and thorough. He assumed personal command of the Union operations at Gettysburg (unlike Lee who delegated heavily), consulted with and listened to his subordinates, and performed both brilliantly and stolidly at the time of the Union's great need.

The writing style of this book is outstanding. It flows inexorably from one chapter to the next and from event to event. The reader can follow the story, from the complexities of the troop movements, to Sears's discussions and reflections on his story. It is a style suited to a prose epic, and it kept me riveted throughout.

This is an excellent treatment of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Rating:
Summary: Exemplary modern analysis of a much studied battle...
Review: The contemporary Civil War historian is truly limited with respect to new revalations concerning most of the major struggles...it becomes the author's challenge then to present a fresh perspective while covering the "same old ground". The 1863 battle at Gettysburg meets or exceeds this challenge...no other ACW struggle has been covered as completely or as comprehensively as Gettysburg. So why does the renowned Stephen Sears offer us another one volume narrative on something that has been covered completely before? It's because Sears can WRITE and he surely realizes (and thus the general reading public must also realize) that under his talented pen, he can still offer much to the literary cache that is Gettysburg and provide a useful and meaningful new study for modern readers.

Sears's approach is refreshing in that he does not try for revisionist history...he uses his abundant talents to tell the story honestly and comprehensively and in the process, he gives yet another keen perspective to this battle that should be read by all ACW and Gettysburg readers. Starting with R.E. Lee's decision to invade the North in light of his recent victory at Chancellorsville (another excellent Sears study by the way...) and the seemingly imminent Confederate defeat at Vicksburg, Sears recounts the details and tactics that led to the battles at Brandy Station and Winchester and the invasion details that almost led to the Confederate taking of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Sears gives a clear account of these sometime complex manueuvers and expertly sets the stage for the ensuing three days battle.

Troop movement and high level military strategy abound as the battle begins on July 1st...beginning with judicious biographies of the key 1st day players (John Buford, John Reynolds, Henry Heth and Richard Ewell...), Sears lays out the results and discusses the "might have beens" had certain key elements moved differently. The Federal attainment of the high ground south of town clearly gives the Union the advantage and Sears shows how all parties more or less come to this same conclusion. The second day struggles are shown to be an offspring to the strong disagreement in the Sr. level of the Confederate leadership as James Longstreet and Lee vehemently disagree on that day's battle strategy...Longstreet proves to be right, of course, and this assertion no doubt enhanced his career as far as history is concerned. Sears maintains that had Longstreet's plan been enacted, this would have been a very different battle. Regardless, Sears is deft at descrbing the action that actually took place as he gives glowing accounts of the battle action at the Rose Farm (and villifies Dan Sickles in the process), the Wheatfield, Devils Den and of course Little Round Top where any Joshua Chamberlain fan will be impressed with Sears coverage. The expert analysis is continued with the third day events as Pickett's Charge is described in as clear and concise terms as I've ever read. The two day struggles for Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill are interspersed with this main line action and Sears completes his impressive work with the cavalry action both at the beginning and the end of the main fighting. Finally, the Confederate retreat back to Virginia and the inevitable explanations for the Union (George Meade) in-action at pursuit are given a fresh look and Sears's discussion puts a different and (in my opinion) more realistic spin on this important period post battle.

So given the rich amount of available works on the battle at Gettysburg, why would anyone want to buy this new one? Again, Stephen Sears is an expert writer, historian and researcher and when someone like this publishes a full-length study of such an important period in American history, it's almost the history reader's duty to indulge...my point here is that if readers take this approach, they will not be disappointed.