Rating: 
Summary: Coddington the reason too many LBG don't understand Lee?
Review: For anyone to claim that all one needs to do to gain a complete, definitive understanding of the epic Gettysburg drama is to simply narrow the reading criteria to Coddington's book and to read it 10 times rather than reading 10 different works, is to demonstrate a very limited intellectual capacity. Coddington's work is an important contribution to Gettysburg literature, and it can be argued that the strength of his book lies with the dealings of the various Federal commanders. However, either because Codddington was not a Southerner, or because he did not have a chance to closely study and understand the Southern culture and how Southerners of this period couched their manner of speech and written communications, his text contains significant errors. Just two quick examples: not only does Coddington flub the description of many interactions between Lee and others within the Confederate army, but Coddington also misuses the English language when he unwittingly twists the use of "discretion" from how Lee, and other Southerners of the time, employed it. Further, Coddington completely misses the most salient points surrounding the Confederate decision of how to attack on July 2, along with the subsequent action, and chooses instead to focus on July 3. Is Coddington's a good book? Yes. Should it be included in everyone's Gettysburg library? Absolutely. But don't let Coddington's numerous, faulty interpretations be a substitute for one's own investigation and intellectual growth, especially regarding Confederate operations.
Rating: 
Summary: The Gettysburg Bible!
Review: From the time that I bought (and read) this book, several years ago, it has become my main reference for The Battle of Gettysburg. Today, I consider myself to be somewhat of an "authority" on the Gettysburg campaign. And I have this book - in large part - to thank for this.Coddington's book is for the hardcore Civil War fanatic. If you want short and concise history, this isn't for you. But, if you're like me, and you want to know what regiment fought at what part of the battle field, and at what time of the day, and against who... this is your book. But, it's not merely a cold text book of statistics and facts. It is a passionately written work with plenty of human interest interwoven throughout. This book is a veritible Bible on the Gettysburg campaign. No Civil War buff - with a particular interest in the Battle of Gettysburg - can consider his or her library complete until it includes THIS one.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent. Detailed with excellent narrative
Review: Great. The treatment of the battle is exhaustive, but his account of the situation and movements before the battle make the Gettysburg story fresh again. Knowing the before allows one to properly understand and judge July 1-3 1863 and its aftermath. By the way, the Gettysburg park licensed guides say that this is the one book they consider the foundation of their knowledge and essential to passing their licensing exam.
Rating:
Summary: Still perhaps the most complete book on Gettysburg
Review: I can think of few history books that are 40 years old that hold up as well as this one. Edwin Coddington still sets the standard for others to follow. If you are new to the battle of Gettysburg and looking for just one book that covers it, your choice basically is either this one or Stephen Sears' find book on Gettysburg. Either one you choose will be a fine choice. To put it simply, the book covers Robert E. Lee's 1863 Pennsylvania campaign from it's inception with Lee trying to convince Jefferson Davis of his plan to his final retreat back into Virginia after his defeat at Gettysburg. Coddington's writing style is first rate and the story flows very smooth. Not just a simple book about who attacked who where and when. We hear the stories of both the generals all the way down to the privates and how they viewed the battle. The book takes an all encompassing view of Gettysburg. One of the more amazing things about this book are the notes. The story itself is 574 pages. The full book however is 866 pages. The 300 pages after the story itself consists of official rosters of both armies, an impressive 16 pages of bibliography and a staggering 200 pages of notes! The notes themselves, full of interesting side notes are as interesting to read as the main part of the book. Lastly Coddington is simply a fine writer. No dry history book here. Coddington's writing skills make the book read like a good novel.
Rating:
Summary: Still the most complete book on Gettysburg
Review: I can think of no other history book that is 40 years old that holds up as well as this one. Edwin Coddington still sets the standard for others to follow. If you are new to the battle of Gettysburg and looking for just one book that covers it, this is the one you should get. To put it simply, the book covers Robert E. Lee's 1863 Pennsylvania campaign from it's inception with Lee trying to convince Jefferson Davis of his plan to his final retreat back into Virginia after his defeat at Gettysburg. One of the more amazing things about this book are the notes. The story itself is 574 pages. The full book however is 866 pages. The 300 pages after the story itself consists of official rosters of both armies, an impressive 16 pages of bibliography and a staggering 200 pages of notes! The notes themselves, full of interesting side notes are as interesting to read as the main part of the book. Lastly Coddington is simply a fine writer. No dry history book here. Coddington's writing skills make the book read like a good novel.
Rating:
Summary: Best single work on the entire battle
Review: I must have read most of the Gettysburg books out on the market. This is the best title around that covers the battle and all the surrounding events. A worthy book for both the military historian and casual reader. The book may be considered a factual "Killer Angels", whereby the author takes you into the mindset of all the leaders who shaped this great American Battle.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitive history of Gettysburg
Review: I'm fairly knowledgeable about the Civil War, but I found Coddington tough going. He has too many generals going in too many directions all at once and I had some trouble keeping up with him. Better maps would have helped. He has about a dozen in the book, but they are all as busy as a Jackson Pollack painting. This is not a book for the casual reader but a long, meticulously researched study of command by Union and Confederate generals in the Gettysburg campaign. Coddington's conclusions are a bit murky and lost in 600 pages of densely written prose, but I think he gives higher marks to Meade, the Union commander, than most other chroniclers. My view had been that Robert E. Lee, the southern commander, lost the battle through over-confidence. Lee believed -- erroneously it turned out -- he could break the Union forces and they would run as they had on several previous occasions. Coddington would agree in part that Lee lost the battle, but he also gave Meade credit for good leadership and suggested that the Union generals were equal to the Southerners. Certainly, Meade deserves praise for occupying the best ground, holding shorter, interior lines, keeping his head, and avoiding the debacles of Generals Hooker, Burnside, et al. One could read Coddington a second and a third time to gain understanding of the most important battle in American history - because if Lee had won at Gettysburg the South would probably have won its independence and Abraham Lincoln would have been about as well regarded a President as Millard Fillmore. I think, however, that I prefer more accessible accounts of Gettysburg, such as Shelby Foote's 170 page account of the campaign in his history of the Civil War. Coddington, I will admire from a distance, awed by his scholarship and consulting him on occasion - but unlikely to have the fortitude to reread his scholarly masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: gettysburg fans
Review: I'm going to keep this short and sweet and to the point!IF you are REALLY a fan and buff of the battle of Gettysburg- buy this damn book! it is great!
Rating:
Summary: The "Bible" of Gettysburg books??
Review: I'm not totally convinced that Coddington's work is the "Bible" of books on Gettysburg although it could be the closest on the subject. At least top "3" material! Coddington's details of the early Union and Confederate politics, strategy and marches to Gettysburg was very informative. Coddington's information builds the setting of this tremendous battle through both armies which allows for some very good reading. Coddington covers all three days of the battle with a good balance of coverage to the events. He also gets into the minds of popular key players such as Lee, Meade, Hancock, Sickles, Longstreet and others. His battle coverage at times is not the ultimate in detail as I have read in Harry Pfanz's work although it is valuable. I found Trudeau's book on Gettysburg to use more of that in his coverage though Coddington's use of references is a book in itself which is a true asset and superior to others. Written during the 60's Coddington was well ahead of his time in erasing popular battlefield myths that have grown over the years. He was very fair to veterans of the battle who have written about their experiences years after the battle in which may have conflicting reports. Coddington is very good at dispelling these accounts if needed which really gave this book a honest flavor without modern day politics getting into the way. It simply covers the campaign and leaves civilian life out of the battle that may leave some readers wanting more of it since the town of Gettysburg suffered from many hardships before, during and after the battle. Coddington sticks to the military drama with upmost focus. As the title states, it is a study of military command. This book is very complete and is an immense study with 574 pages of reading while the references stack this monumental material well over 800 plus pages. If not a mandatory read, it is a must read for anyone serious about learning about Gettysburg. You can't be a good historian without this book as you owe to yourself to read it. 5 STARS
Rating:
Summary: The "Bible" of Gettysburg books??
Review: I'm not totally convinced that Coddington's work is the "Bible" of books on Gettysburg although it could be the closest on the subject. At least top "3" material! Coddington's details of the early Union and Confederate politics, strategy and marches to Gettysburg was very informative. Coddington's information builds the setting of this tremendous battle through both armies which allows for some very good reading. Coddington covers all three days of the battle with a good balance of coverage to the events. He also gets into the minds of popular key players such as Lee, Meade, Hancock, Sickles, Longstreet and others. His battle coverage at times is not the ultimate in detail as I have read in Harry Pfanz's work although it is valuable. I found Trudeau's book on Gettysburg to use more of that in his coverage though Coddington's use of references is a book in itself which is a true asset and superior to others. Written during the 60's Coddington was well ahead of his time in erasing popular battlefield myths that have grown over the years. He was very fair to veterans of the battle who have written about their experiences years after the battle in which may have conflicting reports. Coddington is very good at dispelling these accounts if needed which really gave this book a honest flavor without modern day politics getting into the way. It simply covers the campaign and leaves civilian life out of the battle that may leave some readers wanting more of it since the town of Gettysburg suffered from many hardships before, during and after the battle. Coddington sticks to the military drama with upmost focus. As the title states, it is a study of military command. This book is very complete and is an immense study with 574 pages of reading while the references stack this monumental material well over 800 plus pages. If not a mandatory read, it is a must read for anyone serious about learning about Gettysburg. You can't be a good historian without this book as you owe to yourself to read it. 5 STARS
| 
