Gettysburg

[MRB1863]

There are many good books in print about Gettysburg's Civil War. Some of my favorites: THE GREAT INVASION by Jacob hoke is a good read. Also like the Peoples Pictorial Edition - The Blue and gray by Professor J. Warren Gilbert who was an author, guide, and lecturer. This book is becoming more difficult to find, as it was printed in 1922. THEY MET AT GETTYSBURG by Edward J. Stackpole is another good read. HIGH TIDE AT GETTYSBURG by Glenn Tucker is another.

 

[bsmart]

Funny thing - I think Coddington was the second book I read on Gettysburg. The first was the old 'Landmark series' book by (I believe) MacKinley Kantor. I was about 16 at the time and the book was brand new at the local Library. It was I believe the summer of 1968. Maybe because I didn't know any better I didn't find it too dense. Living most of my life 'Just South of Gettysburg' in Carroll and Frederick Counties in Maryland I at least start almost any book on Gettysburg I can find. I have yet to find a survey of the entire battle that I like as much as Coddington.

 

[luinrina]

If you're new to the study of Gettysburg, I recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-St...d=1408454268&sr=8-1&keywords=sears+gettysburg

It's a very readable, complete study of the campaign.

My favorite book, The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command by Edwin Coddington.

Sear's book is very good but I would also include Allen C.Guelzo' book "Gettysburg The Last Invasion".it's is a good read

I know this thread is old, but since I decided to finally move on to Gettysburg in my studies, I'm looking for good overview books.

My "lead" book is Freeman's biography of Robert E. Lee. Once I finished a battle/campaign from the general's perspective, I read other perspectives before moving on through the war. I've seen the movie Gettysburg, played Ultimate General: Civil War and therefore believe to have a limited general understanding of the battle.

Now from this thread I have picked out three possible titles: Sears' Gettysburg, Coddington's Gettysburg Campagin and Guelzo's Gettysburg: Last Invasion. However, @cash pointed out that Sears is unfamiliar with the terrain and Coddington's writing style is dry. I need something that keeps my interest. If I have to drag myself through, I'll most likely not finish it. Also, I trust that either book covers both sides and contains (lots of) maps? It wasn't always clear from the previews on amazon.

I'll most likely end up getting all three and reading them over time, but which book do you recommend I start with? I already have Sears' Pensinsular Campaign (started but due to other obligations the last days haven't gotten far yet) and so far I like his style. His Chancellorsville is on my wish list too.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[nitrofd]

M

I know this thread is old, but since I decided to finally move on to Gettysburg in my studies, I'm looking for good overview books.

My "lead" book is Freeman's biography of Robert E. Lee. Once I finished a battle/campaign from the general's perspective, I read other perspectives before moving on through the war. I've seen the movie Gettysburg, played Ultimate General: Civil War and therefore believe to have a limited general understanding of the battle.

Now from this thread I have picked out three possible titles: Sears' Gettysburg, Coddington's Gettysburg Campagin and Guelzo's Gettysburg: Last Invasion. However, @cash pointed out that Sears is unfamiliar with the terrain and Coddington's writing style is dry. I need something that keeps my interest. If I have to drag myself through, I'll most likely not finish it. Also, I trust that either book covers both sides and contains (lots of) maps? It wasn't always clear from the previews on amazon.

I'll most likely end up getting all three and reading them over time, but which book do you recommend I start with? I already have Sears' Pensinsular Campaign (started but due to other obligations the last days haven't gotten far yet) and so far I like his style. His Chancellorsville is on my wish list too.

Many thanks in advance!

My choice would be Sears,easy read.Quelzo's book is much longer easy read also but he is a little rough on Meade.

 

[cash]

I know this thread is old, but since I decided to finally move on to Gettysburg in my studies, I'm looking for good overview books.

My "lead" book is Freeman's biography of Robert E. Lee. Once I finished a battle/campaign from the general's perspective, I read other perspectives before moving on through the war. I've seen the movie Gettysburg, played Ultimate General: Civil War and therefore believe to have a limited general understanding of the battle.

Now from this thread I have picked out three possible titles: Sears' Gettysburg, Coddington's Gettysburg Campagin and Guelzo's Gettysburg: Last Invasion. However, @cash pointed out that Sears is unfamiliar with the terrain and Coddington's writing style is dry. I need something that keeps my interest. If I have to drag myself through, I'll most likely not finish it. Also, I trust that either book covers both sides and contains (lots of) maps? It wasn't always clear from the previews on amazon.

I'll most likely end up getting all three and reading them over time, but which book do you recommend I start with? I already have Sears' Pensinsular Campaign (started but due to other obligations the last days haven't gotten far yet) and so far I like his style. His Chancellorsville is on my wish list too.

Many thanks in advance!

Guelzo's book is beautifully written and a joy to read. He explains much of the thinking behind the movements, but he's tough on Meade. With that caveat in mind, I recommend Guelzo. It will hold your attention throughout.

Sears is a good read.

A number of people said they didn't find Coddington dry. To each his/her own.

 

[jackt62]

I enjoyed reading the Guelzo and Coddington books. Both were well written and researched.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Guelzo's book is beautifully written and a joy to read. He explains much of the thinking behind the movements, but he's tough on Meade. With that caveat in mind, I recommend Guelzo. It will hold your attention throughout.

Sears is a good read.

A number of people said they didn't find Coddington dry. To each his/her own.

Sorry, Al. I can't consider a book that unfairly, inappropriately, and dishonestly bashes Meade to be "a joy to read." Rather, I consider it a waste of time, energy, and paper.

 

[luinrina]

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts! It's always so difficult to decide what to read, there are so many books available. I've decided to start with Sears and get the others later. Hopefully delivery will be quick!

Also, after my post this morning (German time ) I found out that Catton wrote a book about Gettysburg too (Gettysburg: The Final Fury). Worth a read? I've read several times now that he's a great writer and that people love his books.

 

[EnigmaVIII]

I understand.

I own Coddington's personal copy of the history of the Philadelphia Brigade. That's one of my favorite books of my library.

Apologies, off topic, but does that history discuss Joshua T. Owens arrest in any detail? All accounts I've found only discuss that event in vague detail.

For context, Josh Owen was in command of the Philadelphia Brigade until 3 days before Gettysburg, where he was arrested by John Gibbon and replaced with Alexander Webb. Webb would go on to win a Medal of Honor for his gallantry defending the angle during Pickett's Charge.

I've heard Coddington is the must read for Gettysburg scholars, but know Sears has established himself has a premiere Civil War scholar on a variety of subjects.

 

[BlueandGrayl]

The Gettysburg movie is one you should watch.

 

[cash]

Sorry, Al. I can't consider a book that unfairly, inappropriately, and dishonestly bashes Meade to be "a joy to read." Rather, I consider it a waste of time, energy, and paper.

We've disagreed on this before, Eric, and we'll continue to disagree, and that's okay. We do agree Guelzo was too rough on Meade, but I don't think he was dishonest about it, nor do I think it inappropriate for a historian to criticize a historical figure, especially when he bases his criticism on evidence. We just disagree with his interpretation. Outside of his criticism of Meade, though, I find very little with which to fault the book.

 

[Jimklag]

Sorry, Al. I can't consider a book that unfairly, inappropriately, and dishonestly bashes Meade to be "a joy to read." Rather, I consider it a waste of time, energy, and paper.

Sears' book is more than fair to Meade - he graded Meade much higher than he did Lee. After Coddington, Sears' is my favorite Gettysburg campaign study. BTW, I finished The Devil's To Pay yesterday. Great read and thanks for the autograph.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Sears' book is more than fair to Meade - he graded Meade much higher than he did Lee. After Coddington, Sears' is my favorite Gettysburg campaign study. BTW, I finished The Devil's To Pay yesterday. Great read and thanks for the autograph.

Agreed, Jim.

And I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed it.

 

[Deleted User CS]

For the absolute Gettysburg beginner I would recommend Albert Nofi's book on the Battle of Gettysburg which is short and not too technical but gives a good overall conception of the battle and campaign and then move on to other more technical tomes. David.

 

[JerseyBart]

Agreed, Jim.

And I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed it.

Great book!!! I loved that it was so minute by minute, action by action detailed but did not feel like it. Some authors try that and it feels like, "this happened and then this happened and then this happened." Not yours, Eric. It flowed well, informed and entertained!!!

 

[JerseyBart]

Noah Andre Trudeau's book I'd recommend as well.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Great book!!! I loved that it was so minute by minute, action by action detailed but did not feel like it. Some authors try that and it feels like, "this happened and then this happened and then this happened." Not yours, Eric. It flowed well, informed and entertained!!!

Thanks, Bart!

 

[infomanpa]

G
Sears is a good read.

A number of people said they didn't find Coddington dry. To each his/her own.

I am one who found Coddington fascinating because it is best at covering the "mental" part of what went into command decisions. In other words, a lot more "why" included as opposed to mainly the "what."

 

[kel1985]

Coddington's book or the 3 books by Pfanz will help you.

 

[KeyserSoze]

Can anybody recommend a book or other media that would describe in great detail the three days battle at Gettysburg? Some time ago I purchased the Park Service maps of each days action that greatly details the units engaged and their movements each day. What I would like to do is drill down into the narrative of the actions. Re-watching Turner's Gettysburg illustrated the stories I don't know, and want to know...

Jim

Noah Andre Trudeau and Stephen Sears have both written very good, single volume books on the battle.