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Gettysburg: The Final Fury
This classic work by Pulitzer Prize winner Bruce Catton, one of the great historians of the Civil War, takes an incisive look at the turning point of the war, when the great armies of the North and South came to Gettysburg in July 1863. Engaging and authoritative, Catton analyzes the course of events at Gettysburg, clarifying its causes and bringing to life the most famous battle ever fought on American soil. Paying full heed to the human tragedies that occurred, Gettysburg: The Final Fury gives an hour-by-hour account of the three-day battle, from the skirmish that began the engagement, to Pickett’s ill-fated charge. Catton provides context for the fateful decisions made by each army’s commanders, and examines the battle’s military and political consequences, placing it within the larger narrative of the Civil War and American history.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 1974
45 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Catton
374 books314 followersBruce Catton was a distinguished American historian and journalist, best known for his influential writings on the American Civil War. Renowned for his narrative style, Catton brought history to life through richly drawn characters, vivid battlefield descriptions, and a deep understanding of the political and emotional forces that shaped the era. His accessible yet meticulously researched books made him one of the most popular historians of the twentieth century.
Born in Petoskey, Michigan, and raised in the small town of Benzonia, Catton grew up surrounded by Civil War veterans whose personal stories sparked a lifelong fascination with the conflict. Though he briefly attended Oberlin College, Catton left during World War I and served in the U.S. Navy. He later began a career in journalism, working as a reporter, editor, and Washington correspondent. His experience in government service during World War II inspired his first book, The War Lords of Washington (1948).
Catton achieved national acclaim with his Army of the Potomac trilogy—Mr. Lincoln’s Army (1951), Glory Road (1952), and A Stillness at Appomattox (1953)—the last of which earned him the Pulitzer Prize for History and the National Book Award. He went on to publish a second trilogy, The Centennial History of the Civil War, and contributed two volumes to a biography of Ulysses S. Grant, begun by Lloyd Lewis. His other notable works include This Hallowed Ground, The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War, and Waiting for the Morning Train, a memoir of his Michigan boyhood.
In 1954, Catton became the founding editor of American Heritage magazine, further shaping the public’s understanding of U.S. history. In 1977, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Catton’s legacy endures through his vivid portrayals of America’s most defining conflict and his enduring influence on historical writing.
Born in Petoskey, Michigan, and raised in the small town of Benzonia, Catton grew up surrounded by Civil War veterans whose personal stories sparked a lifelong fascination with the conflict. Though he briefly attended Oberlin College, Catton left during World War I and served in the U.S. Navy. He later began a career in journalism, working as a reporter, editor, and Washington correspondent. His experience in government service during World War II inspired his first book, The War Lords of Washington (1948).
Catton achieved national acclaim with his Army of the Potomac trilogy—Mr. Lincoln’s Army (1951), Glory Road (1952), and A Stillness at Appomattox (1953)—the last of which earned him the Pulitzer Prize for History and the National Book Award. He went on to publish a second trilogy, The Centennial History of the Civil War, and contributed two volumes to a biography of Ulysses S. Grant, begun by Lloyd Lewis. His other notable works include This Hallowed Ground, The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War, and Waiting for the Morning Train, a memoir of his Michigan boyhood.
In 1954, Catton became the founding editor of American Heritage magazine, further shaping the public’s understanding of U.S. history. In 1977, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Catton’s legacy endures through his vivid portrayals of America’s most defining conflict and his enduring influence on historical writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 3, 2019
Excellent, succinct book on the Battle of Gettysburg.
“Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”
“Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”
March 5, 2015
Bruce Catton was the most famous Civil War historian of his era and mastered the art of writing narrative history for the masses. I freely admit that I am an unabashed fan of Catton. I am quite sure that he kick-started my interest in the Civil War that has caused me to fill my shelves with over 100 Civil War books.
Catton tells the story of Gettyburg in slightly more than 100 pages His approachable style is in full display here. For example, his description of Confederate General A.P. Hill: "...a heads-down slugger always willing to take a blow in order to land one." (p. 20) No one is better at telling a Civil War story than Catton and Gettysburg is the single biggest story of the war. He knows how to keep the story moving but to add just enough detail to make it feel like a special re-telling.
The book is full of great maps, illustrations and photographs and is well worth the time of a student of the Civil War or someone who is simply interested in learning more about Gettysburg.
See all of my reviews of works by Bruce Catton here: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
Catton tells the story of Gettyburg in slightly more than 100 pages His approachable style is in full display here. For example, his description of Confederate General A.P. Hill: "...a heads-down slugger always willing to take a blow in order to land one." (p. 20) No one is better at telling a Civil War story than Catton and Gettysburg is the single biggest story of the war. He knows how to keep the story moving but to add just enough detail to make it feel like a special re-telling.
The book is full of great maps, illustrations and photographs and is well worth the time of a student of the Civil War or someone who is simply interested in learning more about Gettysburg.
See all of my reviews of works by Bruce Catton here: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
September 29, 2020
It was a good overview of the battle. Not too in-depth and not too long. It you’re looking to gain a good idea of the battle itself and nothing else, no context, few personal details, and very little political commentary, just war plans executed, then this is a good place to begin reading about the Battle of Gettysburg.
January 18, 2025
Cotton does a great job covering the Battle of Gettysburg, complete with maps, photos, and real facts. It’s a must- read for anyone who loves history.
March 29, 2019
It is easy to see, in reading this book, why Bruce Catton received and was worthy of a Pulitzer Prize for his historical writing. As a child I first became familiar with the author due to his illustrated history of the Civil War, a book I repeatedly checked out of my elementary school library and which was given to me as a thoughtful present by my father when I first remember meeting him when I was eight years old. It is somewhat surprising in that light, I suppose, that it has taken me a long time to read the rest of the author's work, especially given that this book is such a short one at barely 100 pages. Be that as it may, this is a worthwhile book about a compelling subject and it tells its story well, being very favorable to General Meade and also knowledgeable about the various myths that have sprung up about the battle and about the way that a variety of circumstances, including convenience, pushed the blue and the gray to fight so fiercely in the neighborhood of a small Pennsylvania town in early July, 1863, details Catton is well qualified to provide.
The contents of this short book are divided into five chapters. The first chapter examines the road to Gettysburg, where the author talks about the context of Chancellorsville, the crisis of the siege of Vicksburg which threatened to divide the Confederacy in two, and the movement of troops that led them to need to be concentrated at some point, which ended up being where a lot of roads met together in Gettysburg. After that there are three chapters that look at the battle of Gettysburg itself like a three-act tragedy. In the first day we have the collision between two armies joining together piece by piece, with the Confederacy getting the upper hand because they were able to concentrate first. On the second day we have fighting by compulsion, as Lee's blindness and need to fight the enemy at hand especially because he was unfamiliar with the ground and lacking his cavalry, which led to furious attacks on both flanks and to horrific losses on both sides. And on the third day we have the climax of the battle as Lee's men attack the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge and are unable to produce a breakthrough, with more casualties. Finally, we have a chapter on the retreat and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address that shows why people will long remember Gettysburg and what happened there.
Admittedly, this book is not long, and one could have stood to have more detail about some aspects of the battle, like the cavalry fight where the Union fought off Stuart's charge, and which Catton uncharitably considers inessential. Yet Catton manages to tell the narrative of the battle in a way that includes quite a few telling details about the behavior of people involved and manages to avoid padding the book with a lot of fluff. Catton's concision in light of the tendency for contemporary writers to include a great deal of extraneous material is admirable and this book remains a worthwhile read even if there are far more lengthy and detailed discussions of the battle of Gettysburg and why it was fought. The author shows an admirable grasp of political realities and the narrowly Virginian focus of Lee, and subtly demonstrates in his discussion of Lee's unimaginative and destructive frontal assaults and refusal to send troops West the way Lee contributed to the ultimate defeat of the Confederacy and to the destruction of that wicked regime's most powerful instrument of aggression in the Army of Northern Virginia, which was limited in the aftermath of Gettysburg to a tenacious but ultimately futile defensive role.
The contents of this short book are divided into five chapters. The first chapter examines the road to Gettysburg, where the author talks about the context of Chancellorsville, the crisis of the siege of Vicksburg which threatened to divide the Confederacy in two, and the movement of troops that led them to need to be concentrated at some point, which ended up being where a lot of roads met together in Gettysburg. After that there are three chapters that look at the battle of Gettysburg itself like a three-act tragedy. In the first day we have the collision between two armies joining together piece by piece, with the Confederacy getting the upper hand because they were able to concentrate first. On the second day we have fighting by compulsion, as Lee's blindness and need to fight the enemy at hand especially because he was unfamiliar with the ground and lacking his cavalry, which led to furious attacks on both flanks and to horrific losses on both sides. And on the third day we have the climax of the battle as Lee's men attack the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge and are unable to produce a breakthrough, with more casualties. Finally, we have a chapter on the retreat and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address that shows why people will long remember Gettysburg and what happened there.
Admittedly, this book is not long, and one could have stood to have more detail about some aspects of the battle, like the cavalry fight where the Union fought off Stuart's charge, and which Catton uncharitably considers inessential. Yet Catton manages to tell the narrative of the battle in a way that includes quite a few telling details about the behavior of people involved and manages to avoid padding the book with a lot of fluff. Catton's concision in light of the tendency for contemporary writers to include a great deal of extraneous material is admirable and this book remains a worthwhile read even if there are far more lengthy and detailed discussions of the battle of Gettysburg and why it was fought. The author shows an admirable grasp of political realities and the narrowly Virginian focus of Lee, and subtly demonstrates in his discussion of Lee's unimaginative and destructive frontal assaults and refusal to send troops West the way Lee contributed to the ultimate defeat of the Confederacy and to the destruction of that wicked regime's most powerful instrument of aggression in the Army of Northern Virginia, which was limited in the aftermath of Gettysburg to a tenacious but ultimately futile defensive role.
October 4, 2022
"To the living of all subsequent generations, including this one, Gettysburg left an unending responsibility. A nation built on the idea that all men-all men-are of equal worth and equal rights summons every one of its citizens to a life-long commitment to put that idea into practical effect.
Gettysburg, then, was the price we pair for our service under that great concept. It was one stop in a long progression not and end, but a beginning-a pledge written in blood that freedom should be reborn in every generation."
* * * *
If you want a condensed account of Gettysburg to read about that's still informative, read this one. For example, I had no idea that the third day was full of smoke to the point where hardly anyone could see anyone and some ended up shooting their own comrades!
Gettysburg, then, was the price we pair for our service under that great concept. It was one stop in a long progression not and end, but a beginning-a pledge written in blood that freedom should be reborn in every generation."
* * * *
If you want a condensed account of Gettysburg to read about that's still informative, read this one. For example, I had no idea that the third day was full of smoke to the point where hardly anyone could see anyone and some ended up shooting their own comrades!
July 5, 2020
You'd think it would be impossible to find perfection in a barely 100-page book about one of the iconic battles of American history, yet here it is. Beautiful prose and incisive examination all rolled into one compact work that can be read in the space of an afternoon. A masterpiece.
May 28, 2025
In 'Gettysburg: The Final Fury', Bruce Catton presents a brilliant recreation of this seminal battle of the American Civil War battle of the American Civil War which fluctuated with fortunes changing over the three days that it raged. Indeed it was the bloodiest battle of the war with over 50,000 casualties.
Catton begins the narrative by explaining how this rather unremarkable Pennsylvania market town became the focal point for a battle that, even as early as the first three days in July of 1863 defined the outcome of the whole conflict. If General Robert E. Lee wanted to get to the east to capitalise on the Confederate victory at Chancellorsville he felt he had to go through Gettysburg to secure success while General Meade, who had just taken over control of the Union Army, wanted to intercept Lee and Gettysburg was the place where he thought his forces could do this.
The first day of the battle saw both armies feeling each other out but even though as night fell both armies stayed where they were but the Confederates had the better of the day. Gettysburg remained in Confederate hands and their forces were arrayed on the rolling country to the north and west while the Union forces were settled on the hills south of Gettysburg. Diagrams of the battlefield and surrounding area and contemporary illustrations accompany the narrative.
It was something of a role reversal on the second day as, despite Lee's army attacking savagely in the afternoon of 2 July, Meade's forces were initially routed but fought back with the timely arrival of Sykes Vth Corps along with reinforcements from other parts of Meade's line. And with the Union position on East Cemetery Hill retained and a brigade of Hancock's II Corps drove the Confederates back from their promising position, Meade's council of war that evening took an optimistic note.
And so it proved as the climax of the battle on day three saw the Union triumph with Lee having to organise a wagon train to convey the thousands of wounded men back to Virginia. There were very different feelings in the two camps that night with Meade riding forward to survey the battlefield to celebrate a great victory and raising his hat and shouting delightedly, 'Thank God!'. Meanwhile Lee was contemplating his failure, realising that his fighting north of the Potomac had not gone well as his forces retreated, and he himself stating, 'It is all my fault.'
Despite the defeat Lee did not panic, and some even went so far as to say that he was still full of confidence, as he worked hard to get his troops back to Virginia before they were destroyed outright. Meanwhile Meade made the decision that he would not pursue the Confederates in their retreat, he simply reflected on the victory with the knowledge that he was happy enough to see the Confederates leave northern soil. The only man who disagreed with Meade's decision was Abraham Lincoln as he felt the victory at Gettysburg was only half the story and the situation could have been bettered.
Lincoln had to be content with the Confederates being driven from 'our soil' but even that thought had rider as he angrily declared , 'Will our Generals never get that idea out of our heads? The whole country is our soil.' For that to be achieved he had to wait almost a further two years until the final surrender.
Catton begins the narrative by explaining how this rather unremarkable Pennsylvania market town became the focal point for a battle that, even as early as the first three days in July of 1863 defined the outcome of the whole conflict. If General Robert E. Lee wanted to get to the east to capitalise on the Confederate victory at Chancellorsville he felt he had to go through Gettysburg to secure success while General Meade, who had just taken over control of the Union Army, wanted to intercept Lee and Gettysburg was the place where he thought his forces could do this.
The first day of the battle saw both armies feeling each other out but even though as night fell both armies stayed where they were but the Confederates had the better of the day. Gettysburg remained in Confederate hands and their forces were arrayed on the rolling country to the north and west while the Union forces were settled on the hills south of Gettysburg. Diagrams of the battlefield and surrounding area and contemporary illustrations accompany the narrative.
It was something of a role reversal on the second day as, despite Lee's army attacking savagely in the afternoon of 2 July, Meade's forces were initially routed but fought back with the timely arrival of Sykes Vth Corps along with reinforcements from other parts of Meade's line. And with the Union position on East Cemetery Hill retained and a brigade of Hancock's II Corps drove the Confederates back from their promising position, Meade's council of war that evening took an optimistic note.
And so it proved as the climax of the battle on day three saw the Union triumph with Lee having to organise a wagon train to convey the thousands of wounded men back to Virginia. There were very different feelings in the two camps that night with Meade riding forward to survey the battlefield to celebrate a great victory and raising his hat and shouting delightedly, 'Thank God!'. Meanwhile Lee was contemplating his failure, realising that his fighting north of the Potomac had not gone well as his forces retreated, and he himself stating, 'It is all my fault.'
Despite the defeat Lee did not panic, and some even went so far as to say that he was still full of confidence, as he worked hard to get his troops back to Virginia before they were destroyed outright. Meanwhile Meade made the decision that he would not pursue the Confederates in their retreat, he simply reflected on the victory with the knowledge that he was happy enough to see the Confederates leave northern soil. The only man who disagreed with Meade's decision was Abraham Lincoln as he felt the victory at Gettysburg was only half the story and the situation could have been bettered.
Lincoln had to be content with the Confederates being driven from 'our soil' but even that thought had rider as he angrily declared , 'Will our Generals never get that idea out of our heads? The whole country is our soil.' For that to be achieved he had to wait almost a further two years until the final surrender.
August 25, 2020
This is a very basic and concise narrative about the battle of Gettysburg. It is a great overview, and it is perfect for someone who is curious about the battle and does not already know much about it in general. It would be a great springboard for someone who wants to learn more before getting into the weeds of detail (and there are plenty of those when it comes to Gettysburg). It's also a quick and easy read, and it has photos and general maps to give the reader some visuals.
June 14, 2025
Just finished this book as my first book on research about Gettysburg. I randomly picked it off the shelf at the library. I found it to be a clear summary. I liked how it was short, with each day just a chapter. It was by no means overwhelming, like many other history books can be. It was a good summary, although sometimes I think he romanticized descriptions a bit, but this did help me to empathize with the soldiers. A good start for some research.
September 26, 2018
A simple, concise overview of the greatest battle of the American Civil War. The book is written for the casual reader, so there are no notes, which can leave one wondering whether liberties are being taken, but Catton was a prize winning historian, so it's easy to place faith in the accuracy of the telling. The book is lucid and the photographs are stunning. A good retelling.
July 8, 2019
An excellent overview of the battle. Catton refrains from bashing any of the usual suspects (Lee, Ewell, even Sickles is mostly brushed over) and instead concentrates on the quick thinking and fortitude of the Union Commanders who, finally, achieved a victory against The Army of Northern Virginia. A clear and concise, but still fairly thorough, look at the battle. Great stuff!
July 11, 2021
This was 100% worth the read. After traveling to Gettysburg and doing a guided tour in my car a few months ago, I wanted to read a bit more about the military strategy that went into the battle. While short, this book did not disappoint. Highly recommend for anyone that wants an introduction to the military history at the battle of Gettysburg.
January 19, 2018
What I like about this book is that it shows the how great america was back in the war. Abraham he knows what to do in the short amount like the war plans he learned it in 1 hour. He also gives credit to everyone and left nobody left behind.
July 17, 2019
This was a really helpful overview of Gettysburg. A couple years ago when we visited the site of battle, our tour guide recommended this read, and I’m glad I finally picked it up! Concise & easy to read: for those of us who enjoy history, but do not desire the complete details and analysis.
January 9, 2021
This book was an overview of Gettysburg. If you're looking for more in depth analysis of the battle, you may want to look elsewhere. However, this book is worth the read as Catton is excellent historian and history writer and provides readers with an introduction to battle history. This was an interesting and informative read while on my second trip to Gettysburg in August 2018.
July 25, 2021
A beautiful narrative that is quick and to the point, yet deeply fulfilling. Catton spares the minute by minute details that some readers aren’t looking for, and offers a book that is the clear winner in the “so you want to know what happened here” category.
January 30, 2025
After reading some other books on the civil war this caught my eye. What an excellent read. Easily accessible, clear, and short! The human interest stories weaved in added to the depth. A great dip into one of if not the greatest battles on American soil.
July 5, 2019
I used to be quite the little civil war battle expert when I was very young, but those brain cells are long gone and I need update from time to time. This is quick and concise.
September 9, 2020
One of the best compact Gettysburg history books out there This is a very short but thorough overview of the 3 day battle.
December 15, 2020
My only criticism of this short book is that it kind of glossed over the battle for Little Round Top.
April 9, 2021
Vintage Catton
The Final Fury is a good beginner’s book for exploring Gettysburg written by one of the greatest Civil War authors. Excellent!
The Final Fury is a good beginner’s book for exploring Gettysburg written by one of the greatest Civil War authors. Excellent!
April 18, 2022
Ugh I just love US History
April 22, 2022
I have really found Bruce Catton a fascinating writer. Loved the book
April 28, 2022
kind of poetic.
Good read. It went fast. There is some poetic license taken here but it’s still good. This will be something i read again
Good read. It went fast. There is some poetic license taken here but it’s still good. This will be something i read again
July 22, 2022
Very short summary of Gettysburg. Nothing new.
March 17, 2023
Interesting and easy overview of the Gettysburg campaign.
June 19, 2023
Typical beautiful poetic Catton prose. More of a long "pamphlet" though versus a serious book on the Battle. I read it in a matter of a couple short hours. A very quick overview of the battle
March 3, 2024
Informative brief introductory summary of the Battle of Gettysburg
July 24, 2024
Really well written and accessible account of the battle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews