Gettysburg: A Battlefield Atlas

by Craig L. Symonds, William J. Clipson (Cartographer)

No other military engagement in American history has captured the attention of historians and the imagination of the American public as much as the three day Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863. Occurring simultaneously with the fall of Vicksburg, Gettysburg marked both the high point of Confederate hopes, and the turning point that led to eventual Union victory.

This compact but comprehensive volume provides both a narrative history and a cartographic display of the Battle of Gettysburg that makes the events of the engagement both vivid and comprehensible.

From the moment the Confederacy determined to launch an invasion into the North, to Lee's retreat across the Potomac into Virginia, the strategic and tactical movements of both armies are portrayed in twenty-four full-page, three-color maps accompanied by a page of explanatory text keyed to the maps.

Introductory essays to each section place the events in context and introduce the characters: the proud Robert E. Lee, who believed his army was invincible; the tempestuous George Gordon Meade, who gained command of the Union army only days before the battle; the vainglorious professional George Pickett, and the valiant amateur Joshua Chamberlain.

Here is a book that clarifies the complex, and yet offers insight and context to the amateur or professional student of Civil War history.

Genres: Civil War, History, Nonfiction, Atlases, American History, Civil War Eastern Theater, Military History

103 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1992

About the author

Craig Lee Symonds is a retired professor and former chairman of the history department at the United States Naval Academy. He earned both his MA (1969) and Ph.D. (1976) from the University of Florida.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a good summary of the 3 day battle at Gettysburg. Quick read and informative if you’re looking for an overview of the campaign. I liked the format - page long summaries of the actions with the timing and location maps.

[Read1000books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book not only breaks the battle down into its understandable parts in sequence, but reading it actually makes you feel like you are there.

[Bob Engeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been on a recent jag of sorts focused on the battle of Gettysburg, having read 4 in the last ten days and three or more from the library queued up to read next. One thing I have learned later than I wish is that while all the books were very good, none had enough maps to fully assist the reader in comprehending the geography and the strategy.
It was for this reason I grabbed this book, expecting primarily a standard atlas of maps, but surprisingly found concise recaps of specific attacks, skirmishes and charges surrounded by applicable maps of the land and troop movements.
While the battle and strategy descriptions were mainly brief recaps that didn't provide the most in-depth information, they did provide an excellent overview and the maps were an excellent informative tool.
Worth hanging onto for the maps if nothing else.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you would expect, there are plenty of maps. Additionally, plenty of stories about specific events such as the battle of little roundtop. There are photographs as well. The book is an excellent guide and makes you feel like you are right there, seeing Gettysburg as it was during that critical time in the Civil War.

[Bob Gabel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It does what it says on the tin. The maps are good, the history is… okay. I wish they’d stuck to a more clinical record of the battle. Buy for the maps.

[Jerry Orlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise little history about the battles; excellent maps help place the events. Worth the buy.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

good overview of the battle. I like McPherson's better: "Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg"

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good basic account of the battle. Good to take along when walking the battlefield.