Gettysburg

The Civil War Battle Series #6

by James Reasoner

Although Stonewall Jackson was dead, Confederate morale was never higher. The victory at Chancellorsville had come against overwhelming odds, and the Southerners savored the sight of the Union army in retreat. In less than a year's time, the Federals had been pushed back from the outskirts of Richmond and now virtually out of Virginia. Thus begins Gettysburg, the newest addition to The Civil War Battle Series, the Brannon family saga that has been praised as robust, detail-rich and well-paced...equal parts pathos and accuracy"" (Publishers Weekly) and ""fraught with passion, tension, and tenderness"" (Booklist). Will and Mac, the two eldest Brannon sons, are in the ranks of the Stonewall Brigade and Jeb Stuart's cavalry. A short bivouac allows them to visit the family farm for some rest and recuperation from the fighting. Almost as soon as Will rejoins his company, Jackson's former corps marches up the Shenandoah Valley, sweeping the Union troops out of Winchester. A natural route to the North lies open, and Lee's army heads in that direction. The eventual clash known as the battle of Gettysburg occupies the rest of the book. Will, who is involved from the first day, is kept in the thick of the combat around Culp's Hill and the right side of the Union line. Mac arrives on the evening of the second day, and he sees action with the Southern cavalry at Hanover. Both are swallowed up in the melee of the fighting, and neither emerges unscathed. Bruised and bleeding, the Confederate army stumbles back into Virginia, leaving a fourth of their number behind on the Pennsylvania ground. News of the defeat and the huge number of casualties spreads quickly. Like thousands of families acrossthe South, the Brannon clan in Culpeper County anxiously awaits word of the fates of two sons.""

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Civil War, American Civil War, Audiobook, Historical

432 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2005

Reviews

[FredD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective from the Confederate view point. Although a little to much “relationship” narrative for me, I found the book interesting and insightful into the Southern view of the war.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

This may be better than my two-star rating, but I felt I was the victim of a "bait and switch" at the hands of my Overdrive source. My default search is for non-fiction, and "Gettysburg" popped up available. Imagine my surprise when I noted the prominent display of the word "Novel" on the depicted dust jacket. I put the librarians on the case, and their initial reply was that I appeared to be right and they would investigate. As it unfolds I found the story to not even be told in the form of historical fiction, although Reasoner's research may have made him feel thus.

The story line starts off with a case of 'mistaken' identity when a Union soldier is captured in Confederate-looking uniform and placed in a Union POW camp. I suppose this did make for a few instances of revealing a character's sympathies with his supposed enemies, but it never really helped the story in my mind. The battle at Gettysburg has been told repeatedly, and it sounds as though the author has a working knowledge based on the extant literature. There are better stories told of the American Civil War.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the perspective of Confederate soldiers, as this series is, this installment cannot end well. From the perspective of the Virginia Brannon family, this volume is devastating. Reasoner does an excellent job of combining personal stories of the Civil War with historic events & well-known figures.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great installment in this series. I am really enjoying reading this 10 book series. My favorite character got wounded at Gettysburg so going to have to wait till number seven to see if he made it or not.

[Terry Misfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating approach to this epic Civil war battle by James Reasoner. The Brannon family's involvement ranges from the hardships endured by one son captured by Union forces to the heroic efforts of two other battle-hardened sons. The horrors of combat and the devastation of Gettysburg are portrayed in a gripping, can't put it down fashion.

Having visited the national historic site, Reasoner brings the battle and carnage of the war's turning point into much clearer focus. Well done.

[Linda Munro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel centers on the Eastern Theater battles from the time of the surrender of Vicksburg on the Western front. The two eldest Brannon boys, Will and Mac visit home during bivouac where they learn their youngest brther, Henry is in a flirtacious relationship with their "widowed" sister-in-law, their brother Cory was married in a dirt cellar while mortar flew overhead in Vicksburg, their widowed mother has taken up with the new preacher, and one of Will's closest war-time friends has taken to booze since the loss of his leg in battle.
Will and Mac are called back into duty, fighting their way northward into Pennsylvania and the small town of Gettysburg. After finally arriving in the north, Will is surprised when Roman, the personal slave of his friend Yancy searches him out to tell him that Yancy has committed suicide and willed Roman to Will.
After the three day Gettysburg battle, Mac searches for his brother only to find that will was shot in the chest......

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Mr. Reasoner has been writing for a while, but his skill at developing plot lines and characters has increased significantly since the beginning of this series. Perhaps it's just my familiarity and investment I have in this series.

Whatever it is I really enjoyed Gettysburg. This installment of the Civil War series had me sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The Brannon boys have really got themselves in some tight spots and a few of the boys are still in a bad way when this book ends.

I look forward to the next book to see how things unfold and at the same time I face the end of the series with trepidation. We all know the South fails in their effort, and it will take a terrible toll on the Brannon family. You don't want to see them suffer and you hope they come out intact... Only the next book will tell.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Reasoner -- the cliff-hangers you write! This episode of the Civil War series was excellent. I can't wait to start the next one.

I've been working through the series on audio during my commute. One of this episode's cliff-hangers was revealed about 2 miles from my office and brought tears to my eyes. I had to bring the audio in and finish the book at my desk; I couldn't wait for the ride home.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The turning point of the Civil War, Gettysburg, was such a brutal battle and left many young soldiers dead during the three day affair. The sixth book in the series does a nice job building the action up to the summer of 1863. I really enjoyed the prisoner camp sequences with Titus as this is one aspect of the Civil War many Americans have forgetten about. Also having Will and Mac together fighting the federals was a great climax.

[Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

I grabbed this book while in a hurry thinking it was history. I could only get through 10 pages it is such awful junk. This is not intended for literate adults. I had never heard of the author and checked Wikipedia, finding nothing about the author except he turns out books by the scores under various names. Not one single book has it's own page which should tell you something.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the others, a great account of the military actions - including some close to 'home'.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a series of novels of more than 3 books. I have read 6 of the 10 thus far and they are definitely holding my interest.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best in the series so far. I studies the Civil War battles in college. These books make the battles personal. We learn the emotions, the hopes, the dreams of the people who were involved, even for those no longer involved.