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Beneath a Northern Sky: A Short History of the Gettysburg Campaign
Of all the places and events in this nation's history, Gettysburg may well be the name best known to Americans. Millions flock each year to the little town in south-central Pennsylvania where more than 135 years ago the largest, bloodiest, and most dramatic battle of the Civil War raged across the now-peaceful hills and meadows. The subject of an epic movie and a best-selling work of fiction, the battle continues to fascinate Americans. Indeed, for most Americans, Gettysburg is the Civil War.
In Beneath a Northern Sky, eminent Civil War historian Steven E. Woodworth offers a balanced and thorough overview of the entire battle, its drama, and its meaning.From Lee's decision to take his heretofore successful Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac and into Pennsylvania to the withdrawal of the battle-battered Confederate's back across the river into Virginia, Woodworth paints a vivid picture of this pivotal campaign. In this day-by-day account, he describes the fierce fighting that left 48,000 men dead or wounded at sites that have now become Little Round Top, Cemetery Ridge, Devil's Den. This new book provides a realistic sequence of events surrounding the legendary Pickett's Charge, detailing the Confederate's magnificent display of courage and the Union's stalwart, rock-hard defense. Woodworth describes the strategic and tactical decision making and shows how infighting and disagreements among the leaders on both sides impacted the campaign. He details the mind set and morale of the soldiers, revealing how—surprisingly—Union leaders did not take advantage of their troops' high spirits after their victory to finish off the retreating Confederates.
Instead of focusing on only one aspect of the Gettysburg Campaign as most other books do, Beneath a Northern Sky tells the tale of the entire battle in a richly detailed but swiftly moving narrative. This new approach to a defining battle is sure to fascinate Civil War buffs and all those interested in the rich history of the United States.
In Beneath a Northern Sky, eminent Civil War historian Steven E. Woodworth offers a balanced and thorough overview of the entire battle, its drama, and its meaning.From Lee's decision to take his heretofore successful Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac and into Pennsylvania to the withdrawal of the battle-battered Confederate's back across the river into Virginia, Woodworth paints a vivid picture of this pivotal campaign. In this day-by-day account, he describes the fierce fighting that left 48,000 men dead or wounded at sites that have now become Little Round Top, Cemetery Ridge, Devil's Den. This new book provides a realistic sequence of events surrounding the legendary Pickett's Charge, detailing the Confederate's magnificent display of courage and the Union's stalwart, rock-hard defense. Woodworth describes the strategic and tactical decision making and shows how infighting and disagreements among the leaders on both sides impacted the campaign. He details the mind set and morale of the soldiers, revealing how—surprisingly—Union leaders did not take advantage of their troops' high spirits after their victory to finish off the retreating Confederates.
Instead of focusing on only one aspect of the Gettysburg Campaign as most other books do, Beneath a Northern Sky tells the tale of the entire battle in a richly detailed but swiftly moving narrative. This new approach to a defining battle is sure to fascinate Civil War buffs and all those interested in the rich history of the United States.
241 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 16, 2017
This is a military history book that focuses on the generals, their command relationships, and their tactical decisions. Readers looking for a broader discussion of the Civil War and its ramifications will be disappointed. Woodworth treats Union and Confederate sides fairly and describes their perspectives and struggles from primary sources.
March 1, 2018
I should probably be ashamed to admit I lost interest a little more than halfway through this relatively short book. What I find interesting about war histories is the stories of the people involved and the causes they fought for. This book was too focused on the tactics of the battle for my interest. "First they marched this way, then they marched that way..." Easier to learn those sort of details looking at a map than reading through text.
August 26, 2018
A simply outstanding book that combines “big picture” perspective and “boots on the ground” experiences. I loved it.
February 10, 2011
If you really want to know about the Battle of Gettysburg, pick the following authors: Trudeau, Coddington, and Sears--not Woodworth. They provide much more detail of the battle and give a much more complex perspective.
However, for those readers who want a short and to the point introduction to the battle, this book serves a useful purpose. Its brevity serves a positive function--even as it means that this cannot be a definitive book on the great battle. Key issues are described; the author writes well. There is not a whole lot here that is new; the standard anecdotes are retold--albeit nicely.
Still, for the Civil War novice who would like an accessible and easy read on Gettysburg, this book can do the trick.
However, for those readers who want a short and to the point introduction to the battle, this book serves a useful purpose. Its brevity serves a positive function--even as it means that this cannot be a definitive book on the great battle. Key issues are described; the author writes well. There is not a whole lot here that is new; the standard anecdotes are retold--albeit nicely.
Still, for the Civil War novice who would like an accessible and easy read on Gettysburg, this book can do the trick.
November 5, 2012
Okay, yes, I agree. There is a lot of information in so few pages. But I found the writer's style somewhat difficult to follow. But the book's main failing, in my opinion, is Woodworth's inability to OBJECTIVELY narrate the roles of some key players. He all but FLUNG himself on history's most cozy bandwagon, the one that vilifies Longstreet while carefully protecting the Legend of Lee. It gets so bad at some points, you really feel as though Woodworth would give ANYTHING to build a time machine and travel back for the express purpose of smacking Longstreet in the jaw.
Enough, already.
Enough, already.
March 31, 2012
Great comprehensive overview for someone like me who is newly interested in Gettysburg. Going to the battleground later this year and want to maximize the visit with a basic understanding of the events that unfolded over those days The maps are very helpful and the personal stories woven throughout kept me interested in the human beings on both sides.
May 2, 2016
A good overview marred, in my opinion, by a comment (page 107) on General Longstreet's relationship with Robert E. Lee. I quote, "he disliked and distrusted Lee, largely because he was jealous of him."
Where did this come from? I had never heard anything like that before. This from Lee's "Old Warhorse?" I have to look into this further. There is a reference in the notes I'll have to read.
Where did this come from? I had never heard anything like that before. This from Lee's "Old Warhorse?" I have to look into this further. There is a reference in the notes I'll have to read.
July 15, 2013
This is a very thorough walk through of those three days in July as well as the period leading up to the clash. I think Woodworth delivered a wonderful concise battlefield history of this epic battle.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews