Rating: 
Summary: Terrific Account of America's Bloodiest Day
Review: A wonderful treatment of the Battle of Antietam. Sears has done a marvelous job with the telling of this campaign's story.Lee was looking to carry the war north at the start of the campaign. One of the great accidents of history caused him to scrape his plans and fight a defensive battle on the banks of Antietan Creek -- his orders of march were lost by one of his commanders and found by a couple of Union sergeants attracted to the cigars which were tied around them. The result was a battle in which George McClellan missed the opportunity to live up to the messianic destiny which he forsaw for himself. With a two to one advantage against an enemy who was scrambling to assemble all of his forces in a desperate attempt to survive, the ever cautious McClellan proved yet again that great organizers don't necessarily make great or even adequate field commanders. Sears uses first person accounts to illustrate the story. It is well balanced between the general's view and those of the men shouldering the muskets. As usual, Sears's writing is superb. Particularly engrossing is his depiction of the race by A.P. Hill to arrive in time to stave off the separation of the Confederates from their river crossings by Bursides' late afternoon attack. Its one of those moments in history when troops arrive over the hill unexpectedly and just in time to reverse the course of battle -- and probably ensure that the Civil War would continue for three more bloody years. An excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: The Most Thorough Vivisection of a Human Being I've Read
Review: As a description of the battle of Antietam, it's hard to see how this book could ever be bettered, but its true impact lies in the author's thorough, relentless vivisection of George McClellan. We all know that McClellan was an idiot, a coward, and a weasel, but this book reveals the true depths of his idiocy, cowardice, and duplicity. This book represents the most thorough vivisection of a human being that I've ever seen. But McClellan deserved it, so no one will object.
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Summary: A reluctant civil war reader
Review: I am not a Civil War buff, not an expert but I was hooked by Stephen Sears excellent book. When I first moved to Shepherdstown which is across the Potomac from Sharpsburg I felt I should know more about the Battle of Antietam but I have never been interested in Civil War history. Despite the fact that re-enactors frequent our area and many Confederate soldiers are buried in my town (they weren't allowed to be buried in Maryland) I had little understanding of what transpired there. I read a glowing review of Landscape Turned Red in Newsweek and decided to give it a try. From the first page, I was drawn in.
I have stood in 'bloody row' and read and in the tower and read. Since then I made it a book club selection. When people visit and want to go to the battlefield, I send them home with a copy of this book. Even history haters can love it. It is well worth your time.
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Summary: THE BEST BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF ANTIETAM
Review: IN MY OPINION THERE IS NO BETTER BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF ANTIETAM. MR SEARS ENABLES THE READER TO FOLLOW BOTH ARMIES ON THEIR FATEFUL MARCH INTO HISTORY AT THE PLACE WHERE THE ROADS CAME TOGETHER. I HAVE USED THIS BOOK AS A TEACHING AID SINCE 1987. AFTER READING LANDSCAPE TURNED RED, EVERY PERSON THAT I HAVE TAKEN TO ANTIETAM HAS HAD A BETTER GRASP OF THE BATTLEFIELD LAYOUT. THEY ARE ABLE TO MORE EASILY VISUALIZE MENTALLY THE EVENTS AND TROOP PLACEMENTS OF THE BLOODIEST DAY IN OUR NATIONS MILITARY HISTORY. MR SEARS IS NOT SHY TO POINT OUT THE PETTY AND NATURAL FLAWS OF SOME OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT SOLDIERS OF THAT ERA. HE ALSO GIVES CREDIT TO THOSE WHO WERE DESERVING AND ANONYMOUS FOR OVER 100 YEARS. THE BOOK FLOWS WITHOUT THE CONSTANT MINDNUMBING FACTS THAT LULL MOST HISTORY READERS TO SLEEP. MR SEARS IS NOT SLOW TO SEPERATE FACT FROM FICTION. HE DEPICTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS BATTLE THROUGH A GIFTED STYLE , NOT BY MERE NUMBERS OF DEAD AND WOUNDED. HE CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF DAY AND THE LOST OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE UNION GENERALS HELD IN THEIR HANDS TO CONQUER THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND SAVE THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN LIVES. I ENCOURAGE EVERY READER WHO IS EVEN SLIGHTLY INTERESTED IN THE CIVIL WAR AND THE ANTIETAM CAMPAIGN TO READ THIS BOOK.
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Summary: Sears has written a masterpiece.
Review: It is amazing to me after 135 years and all that we know about the Battle of Antietam and the Civil War that ANYONE can defend George McClellan. S. Sears has written a book which tells the story of a tragic battle and its campaign. Despite the rose-colored glasses that some readers might choose to wear; Sears makes it clear that G.B. McClellan had a magnificent chance to end the war in September of 1862 and because of McClellan's failure, his beloved Army of the Potomac had to fight for 3 more years. How many died because he was too cautious? Sears' book is most enjoyable as well as informative. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the Civil War.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book but Problems
Review: Landscape Turned Red is a good book in general about the Maryland Campaign of 1862 and the Battle of Antietam. However, Sears clearly does _not_ like McClellan and his bias against him comes through very strong in this book. Also there are some other inaccuracies with some of the information Sears presents. On the whole, though, it is a good starting point for any Civil War buff who wishes to learn more about the campaign and the battle which is actually the true turning point of the American Civil War.
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Summary: Perfect and complete!
Review: Sears has put together an outstanding book which should be easily classified as a Civil War classic. Sears covers political tension in Washington and the uproar over continuous Union defeats and leadership. Written clearly and concise, this book builds the situation or develops the structure for giving basis to Lee's decision to move the Army of Northern Virginia into Maryland. More interesting was McClellan's organizing troops for further campaigns while dealing with tough bureaucrats in Washington. His cautious approach to battle was a large concern for many and it helped explain his decisions later in the story in regards to not pursuing Lee's army on the 18th of September the day after the bloody Battle of Antietam. Besides covering McClellan's operations, the book covered the Confederate raid and seige of Harper's Ferry. Sears covered all Union and Confederate advances to Sharpsburg/Antietam allowing for better understanding of which corp went where, who followed who, which city and time,etc.. The battle coverage was outstanding and well versed, though I preferred more maps (as I always do). Sears covers the battle from start to finish and also covers Lee's retreat and the political issues surrounding this great battle afterwords. This book is a must have for any student of the Civil War. It should be in everyones' library as it covers the bloodiest day of battle ever in the entire Civil War.
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Summary: Wonderful Book About A Bloody Day
Review: Sears is one of the best authors of the Civil War genre and Landscape Turned Red is no exception. In Landscape Turned Red Sears brings to life the bloodiest day in the history of the American military. Almost a century and half after the battle of Antietam, after numerous wars and battles, Antietam still stands as the most deadly day for America's fighting men, with approximately 50,000 casualties. That fact would be enough to make the book worth reading. While Sears gives a broad and well written history of the facts that lead to the battle as well as the battle itself, he does not ignore the men who gave so much. In reading the book, one gets as close to the blood and gore as one can without actually being there. Sears has the ability of personalizing the events and bringing the slaughter as close as a Matthew Brady photograph. Sears saves his criticism for the leaders, with the exception of Lee. His harshest criticism is justly directed toward McClelland. Even with twice as many men as Lee and Lee's complete battle plan, McClelland was unable to beat Lee. At the crucial point in the battle, after tens of thousands had been sacrificed and the Confederate middle was near collapse, McClelland held back the reinforcements that could have crushed the Confederacy. However, he needlessly blinked. Sears makes no secret of his feeling concerning McClelland generalship. Where Sears falls short is in his analysis of Lee's conduct. While it is true that Lee saved his army from destruction and won a tactical stalemate, from a strategic view Antietam and the whole Maryland campaign was a disaster. If McClelland had been any more aggressive, or had seemingly minor incidences turned against Lee, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia could have been destroyed. In deciding to fight McClelland, Lee made the same mistake that he made countless times. He forgot that the Confederate Army could not replace the thousands lost at Antietam, Gettysburg, or even his victories at Chancellorsville and else where. On the other hand, the Union could readily replace its losses. Lee's "victories" bled his army dry. Not only did Lee not defeat the Union Army, his goal of bringing significant Marylanders into the war failed. The stalemate allowed McClelland to claim victory and directly led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of any chance of foreign intervention on behalf of the South. Sears does not ask the right questions concerning the most basic issue concerning Lee. Should he have initiated the campaign in the first instance? That aside this is a wonderful book about a very bloody day.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book About A Bloody Day
Review: Sears is one of the best authors of the Civil War genre and Landscape Turned Red is no exception. In Landscape Turned Red Sears brings to life the bloodiest day in the history of the American military. Almost a century and half after the battle of Antietam, after numerous wars and battles, Antietam still stands as the most deadly day for America's fighting men, with approximately 50,000 casualties. That fact would be enough to make the book worth reading. While Sears gives a broad and well written history of the facts that lead to the battle as well as the battle itself, he does not ignore the men who gave so much. In reading the book, one gets as close to the blood and gore as one can without actually being there. Sears has the ability of personalizing the events and bringing the slaughter as close as a Matthew Brady photograph. Sears saves his criticism for the leaders, with the exception of Lee. His harshest criticism is justly directed toward McClelland. Even with twice as many men as Lee and Lee's complete battle plan, McClelland was unable to beat Lee. At the crucial point in the battle, after tens of thousands had been sacrificed and the Confederate middle was near collapse, McClelland held back the reinforcements that could have crushed the Confederacy. However, he needlessly blinked. Sears makes no secret of his feeling concerning McClelland generalship. Where Sears falls short is in his analysis of Lee's conduct. While it is true that Lee saved his army from destruction and won a tactical stalemate, from a strategic view Antietam and the whole Maryland campaign was a disaster. If McClelland had been any more aggressive, or had seemingly minor incidences turned against Lee, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia could have been destroyed. In deciding to fight McClelland, Lee made the same mistake that he made countless times. He forgot that the Confederate Army could not replace the thousands lost at Antietam, Gettysburg, or even his victories at Chancellorsville and else where. On the other hand, the Union could readily replace its losses. Lee's "victories" bled his army dry. Not only did Lee not defeat the Union Army, his goal of bringing significant Marylanders into the war failed. The stalemate allowed McClelland to claim victory and directly led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of any chance of foreign intervention on behalf of the South. Sears does not ask the right questions concerning the most basic issue concerning Lee. Should he have initiated the campaign in the first instance? That aside this is a wonderful book about a very bloody day.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding..
Review: Sears' detailed description of the battle of Antietam is a gripping, thoroughly documented and researched history. He is able to flawlessly weave the views of the battle from both Northern and Southern generals. Much detail is devoted to the irresponsible leadership of Gen. George McClellan and his belief that he was the "saviour" of the Union. This is without a doubt a classic book on a horrific battle.
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