NF “Longstreet at Gettysburg” just released

Non-Fiction
Which writer Tom? I am unclear. What are your specific criticisms/objections?

I’m sorry to be unclear. By writer I mean Cory Pfarr, the writer of the book in question about Longstreet at Gettysburg. I can add little to my objections other than to again say I object to the aggrieved tone of the book and the irritatingly repetitious way in which the early part is written. Irritating enough (to me) that I put the book aside.
 
I’m sorry to be unclear. By writer I mean Cory Pfarr, the writer of the book in question about Longstreet at Gettysburg. I can add little to my objections other than to again say I object to the aggrieved tone of the book and the irritatingly repetitious way in which the early part is written. Irritating enough (to me) that I put the book aside.

Fair enough. Thanks for the clarification.
 
Good luck with your book. I won't purchase the book. Sounds like revisionism from what I am seeing so far.

Thanks, @Rebforever. I do appreciate the well wishes.

On every issue covered in the book, I also tried my very best to afford readers with the ideology/position you seem to support, including many quotes from the revisionist, agenda-driven writings of several ex-Confederates in the postwar years. That said, I do not take these writings at face value like a number of historians have seemingly done since Longstreet’s death. I believe it is always important to cross-reference with other primary sources to fully judge the accuracy and merit of a position. Lee was undoubtedly a great general, but he was not perfect. He made mistakes like any other general, and quite a few of them at Gettysburg.
 
@cpfarr01 I have finished your book and I am pleased with my purchase! The book is informative and provides the materials for me to read and determine my own views. I wish you the best of luck and hope that others will overlook personal feelings and be exposed to more information and then make their own decisions as to whether you are right or wrong or perhaps in-between.
I believe Lee knew that Ewell and Hill were not in Longstreet's class but who else did he have to turn to for leading the 2nd and 3rd Corps? Lee stayed with Longstreet simply because he liked and trusted him beyond all others.
Good luck with the success of your book!
Regards
David

Thanks very much, David. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the review and the well wishes.
 
Mr. Scott Mingus, author of Confederate General William "Extra Billy" Smith: From Virginia's Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat and many other Civil War-related books, has written and published a review of Longstreet at Gettysburg: A Critical Reassessment on his "Cannonball" blog for the York Daily Record.

"It [Longstreet at Gettysburg] deserves a prominent spot in the ongoing evaluation (and re-evaluation) of command decisions that influenced the outcome of major battles, including, of course, Gettysburg."

You can read the full review here: https://yorkblog.com/cannonball/book-longstreet-gettysburg/
 
Since Mr. Mingus and I agree that your book is a valuable addition to the anyone's library, then I am not alone in congratulating you on your hard work.
Regards
David
 
Yes now I have to get this book.

Pete and I are third cousins 7 times removed
Pete Longstreet Jr and David Shockley are both descendants of Thomas Woolley Sr..

1. Pete is the son of James G Longstreet Sr '
2. James is the son of William Longstreet
3. William is the son of Abigail (Wooley) Longstreet
4. Abigail is the daughter of Thomas Woolley Sr.
This makes Thomas the second great grandfather of Pete.

1. David is the son of Merlin Shockley jr.
2. Merlin is the son of Merlin Sherman Shockley Sr.
3. Merlin is the son of John Lee Shockley
4. John is the son of John Washington Sylvester Shockley
5. John is the son of Jestin (Beamer) Shockley
6. Jestin is the daughter of Peter Lundy Beamer
7. Peter is the son of Rhoda (Lundy) Beamer
8. Rhoda is the daughter of Mary (Stockton) Lundy
9. Mary is the daughter of Mary (Clayton) Stockton
10. Mary is the daughter of Content (Wooley) Clayton
11. Content is the daughter of Thomas Woolley Sr.
This makes Thomas the ninth great grandfather of David.
Virginia Dave. I see the name "LUNDY" among the names you have quoted in your above list. My mother's maiden name was LUNDY. My maternal grandfather's family was originally from Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Does the name you list as "LUNDY" have a connection to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania? David.
 
Hi All,

Just wanted to tip you to my newly-published book, "Longstreet at Gettysburg: A Critical Reassessment.” It was just officially released by McFarland Publishers a few days ago and was a 4+ year project from start to finish. If you’re interested in the topic, listed below is some information on the book and advance reviews.
Thanks, Cory


Description: This is the first book-length, critical analysis of Lieutenant General James Longstreet's actions at the Battle of Gettysburg. The author argues that Longstreet's record has been discredited unfairly, beginning with character assassination by his contemporaries after the war and, persistently, by historians in the decades since. By closely studying the three-day battle, and conducting an incisive historiographical inquiry into Longstreet's treatment by scholars, this book presents an alternative view of Longstreet as an effective military leader, and refutes over a century of negative evaluations of his performance.

Book Notes from “Civil War Books & Authors” (March 12, 2019):
https://cwba.blogspot.com/2019/03/booknotes-longstreet-at-gettysburg.html
“...It certainly does appear to be an exhaustive reevaluation of the many controversies and myths surrounding Longstreet's actions, with the author dissecting on a point by point basis over 150 years of critical interpretation. In the book the author quotes and challenges the views and conclusions expressed in the publications of a host of major modern scholars.”


Advance Reviews:
“Cory M. Pfarr is a worthy successor to Glenn Tucker, providing the most detailed analysis to date of James Longstreet's actions at Gettysburg, the motivations of his postwar critics, and the manner in which bias against Longstreet has influenced histories of the battle down to the present day. This is a welcome addition to the historiography of the most studied military engagement in American history." - William Garrett Piston, author of “Lee's Tarnished Lieutenant: James Longstreet and his Place in Southern History”


"General James Longstreet remains the most controversial Confederate officer to fight at Gettysburg. Surprisingly, no full-length assessment of Longstreet’s Gettysburg record has been produced until now. Cory Pfarr methodically analyzes many of the myths and controversies that surround Lee’s ‘Old War Horse.’ His results challenge popular interpretations that were created by ‘Lost Cause’ advocates and continue among historians to this day. Pfarr’s provocative work will be required reading for all subsequent treatments of Longstreet at Gettysburg." -James A. Hessler, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide and author of “Sickles at Gettysburg” and “Gettysburg’s Peach Orchard”

"About once each decade an honest work concerning James Longstreet is published. Cory Pfarr has this decade covered. This is the book so many of us have been waiting for. It is certified 'Lost Cause mythology'-free and is the first thoroughly honest account of General James Longstreet's generalship during the Gettysburg Campaign. This book is the long missing piece of the Gettysburg story." -Richard Pilcher, a past president of The Longstreet Society

"'Longstreet at Gettysburg' is a superb counter-stroke to the century-and-a-half of Lost Cause propaganda leveled at General Longstreet over Gettysburg. By confronting and refuting each and every false claim, Cory Pfarr has set the record straight and affirms the tremendous competence Longstreet employed to try and win a battle where the circumstances were stacked against the Confederates. He shows Longstreet’s efforts and results were impressive in the face of difficult odds, and proves Longstreet is one of America’s best war leaders and fighting generals. A tour de force." -Harold M. Knudsen, LTC (Ret.) US Army and author of “General James Longstreet: The Confederacy’s Most Modern General”

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I just purchased your book a few weeks ago and I am looking forward to reading it at some point in the next several months. I wish you much success with the book and my best regards. David.
 
Mr. Scott Mingus, author of Confederate General William "Extra Billy" Smith: From Virginia's Statehouse to Gettysburg Scapegoat and many other Civil War-related books, has written and published a review of Longstreet at Gettysburg: A Critical Reassessment on his "Cannonball" blog for the York Daily Record.

"It [Longstreet at Gettysburg] deserves a prominent spot in the ongoing evaluation (and re-evaluation) of command decisions that influenced the outcome of major battles, including, of course, Gettysburg."

You can read the full review here: https://yorkblog.com/cannonball/book-longstreet-gettysburg/
That is high praise to be sure. Scott is a member here and with a little luck may be willing to elaborate. @Scott Mingus what do you say?
 
@cpfarr01 I finally got around to giving your book a review on Amazon, which I was most glad to supply.

I also gave a nod to CWT as the Best place to further discuss any so-called "controversies"

Y.M.O.S.

OBJ

Edit: for spelling

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Thanks OBJ, I very much appreciate you taking the time to post a review. Glad you enjoyed it.
Am about two thirds through the book. Enjoying it immensely. Will comment further when I have finished it.

But a preliminary comment ... even the Longstreet haters or doubters contradict themselves in their post-war writings it is evident they are peddling a different story.
 
Am about two thirds through the book. Enjoying it immensely. Will comment further when I have finished it.

But a preliminary comment ... even the Longstreet haters or doubters contradict themselves in their post-war writings it is evident they are peddling a different story.

Thanks, PeterT. Glad you’re enjoying it. And yes, you’re correct, there are quite a few examples of contradictory statements made by postwar Longstreet critics on several topics. I look forward to your further comments.
 
Thanks, PeterT. Glad you’re enjoying it. And yes, you’re correct, there are quite a few examples of contradictory statements made by postwar Longstreet critics on several topics. I look forward to your further comments.
Leaving the US today to return home to Melbourne. I will be making some comments and observations in a few days.
 
I’m sorry to be unclear. By writer I mean Cory Pfarr, the writer of the book in question about Longstreet at Gettysburg. I can add little to my objections other than to again say I object to the aggrieved tone of the book and the irritatingly repetitious way in which the early part is written. Irritating enough (to me) that I put the book aside.

Although I enjoyed the book I agree with this assessment. I felt that there was a bias towards Longstreet in the early part of the book, which was quite fervent at times. Fortunately I didn't put the book down and found that this disappeared as the book got more into the details of the battle.
 
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