The Twentieth Maine: A Volunteer Regiment in the Civil War

by John J. Pullen

The fascinating story of Joshua Chamberlain and his volunteer regiment, the Twentieth Maine, is reprinted with a new foreword by Civil War historian and UCLA professor Joan Waugh. Pullen_s classic and highly acclaimed book tells how Chamberlain and his men fought at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville on their way to the pivotal battle of Gettysburg. There, on July 2, 1863, at Little Round Top, they heroically saved the left flank of the Union battle line. The Twentieth Maine_s remarkable story ends with the surrender of Lee_s troops at Appomattox. Considered by Civil War historians to be one of the best regimental histories ever written, this beloved standard of American history is now available in a new Stackpole edition. Includes maps, photographs, and drawings from the original edition.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War, Nonfiction, War, American History, Audiobook

338 pages

First published January 1, 1957

Reviews

[Hotspur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished the 20th Maine by John Pullen, as an Audiobook from the Fairfax County Public Library system. The 20th, for those of you who have no appreciation of history, held the extreme left of the Union line on the crucial second day of the Battle of Gettysburg-- and by doing so, likely saved the Army of the Potomac from being rolled up and defeated. By extension, likely the little action on Little Round Top saved the Union that day (it's arguable, I know, but a case could be made for it). Pullen's book takes the 20th Maine from its inception as a group of highly irregular volunteers, through a series of engagements and commanders, to finally stand in salute to the Army of Northern Virginia as the armies passed into history at Appomattox. Pullen's style is informal for a historian writing in this time period (the 1950s), but nonetheless factual and relying on primary sources, regimental histories and biographies.

If you have any appreciation for American Civil War history, you'll have heard of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the remarkable commander of the 20th Maine from Chancellorsville to when he got promoted to Brigadier command during the Wilderness campaign. Pullen shares my admiration for this classic American warrior, and in some respects THE TWENTIETH MAINE is a story not just of the regiment but also of Chamberlain, as Pullen continues to relate his story after Chamberlain was promoted to command of Brigade and Divisional level.

The audio recording, by Blackstone audio books, is read by Barrett Whitener. I have heard Mr. Whitener read other history books (Undaunted Courage comes to mind) and he has a superb voice made for narration-- rather like the narrator of the Ken Burns Civil War series, David McCullough.

In summary: 20th Maine is an excellent read, filling in the gaps for this famous regiment's exploits before and after the famous engagement on Little Round Top, something any schoolchild SHOULD know, but sadly may not these days. I recommend it.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read many books about the Civil War, I knew the story of the valiant actions of Joshua Chamberlin and the 20th Maine at the Battle of Gettysburg. However, I had no idea of the regiment's contributions in many other battles during the war and that there were four Medal of Honor winners from the 20th, including Chamberlin, a 33-year-old professor from Bowdoin College with absolutely no military experience.

Published by John J. Pullen in 1957, this beautifully written account of a raw volunteer regiment coming of age and evolving into a veteran fighting unit truly holds the reader spellbound. Through his wonderful narrative skill and by drawing on the actual writings of both officers and enlisted men, the author brings his readers along on the marches and battles of the 20th Maine, enabling us to feel the fatigue, hunger, thirst, pain, sorrow, and, on rare occasions, joy experienced by the men of the 20th.

I would recommend this book to anyone as an enjoyable read and think it should be required reading for any student of American history and the Civil War.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the time I finished I was supremely confident that Joshua Chamberlain is fully deserving the "hero" appellation - it seems not to have been what he set out do. Many often are familiar with his Gettysburg performance, but he seems to have been one of those who take to the waters of leadership almost effortlessly. Pullen has captured for the reader much of what it must have been like to be a Civil War soldier.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good read. After the battle of Gettysburg, I sort of thought, "Well, I guess that was the good part." I was wrong. Gettysburg is a climax, but not the climax of the book. These guys were in the thick of it in battles from Antietam to Appomatix. The portrayal of Joshua Lawrence Chamerlain is both human and larger-than-life.
The tone of a history written in the 1950's, when memories of a major war were still fresh, seems a little dated and even quaint to modern eyes - now we fight wars with smarter bombs and lower stakes - but if you can stomach the hero worship and the now awkward, now overblown prose, Pullen's story comes through as an ode to mortal men facing unspeakable times. It is a 19th-century Band of Brothers.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not being a war buff, I had trouble understanding some of the details of battles and troop movements, but overall, the information was well researched and told like a story. Drama, humor, descriptive scenes, and the narrator's voice made for a good read, I mean, listen!
Having been to Gettysburg and having stood on Little Round Top, I particularly appreciated that section.
And, being a Mainer, I cheered for the regiment and their leader, Joshua Chamberlain!

[Tom Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow a brave, tough and dedicated Union Regiment through the Civil War...

An excellent narrative of the triumphs and heartbreaks of a group of dedicated soldiers. The book is very well researched and written. It added significantly to my understanding of this important period in history.

[Bryan Stinehour · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a dry read (listen), however was still very entertaining and educational. I learned a ton I never knew about the 20th maine and the civil war. Definitely worth a read if you have interest in the subject

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some funny stories, pretty straight forward regimental history. Of course, there's a lot about JLC, but a lot of other members are profiled.

[Jessica Jewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pullen wrote a great history of this great regiment.

[Roger Henley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was excellent. I read it so fast. Each event was different and while reading it. If was if I was there with the Twentieth Maine while they were in action.

[Mejix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a scholarly book, more of a romance.
The story of the regiment is remarkable and the book itself is entertaining.
Somehow I get the feeling that this was written for young adults.

[Peter McGinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems I have always been interested in the Civil War. I have read many, many books on the subject over the decades and being a Mainer, I obtained this book early on. I read it back then and only recently I have read it again.

It is a precisely researched, detailed and yet readily accessible history of the 20th Maine volunteer regiment. Okay, I felt like it slowed down for me a bit at times, but not because it was boring but rather because the war slowed down. It was still interesting with insight into the daily life of the soldiers of all ranks. Perhaps because he drew so much from the soldiers’ diaries, letters and other sources, he also used drawings and drawn maps more than pictures.

It is not one of my favorite books on the civil War, but I appreciated the 20th Maine regiment much more because of it. I had known about their heroics on Little Round Top during the battle of Gettysburg, but I wasn’t aware of their exploits in many other battles and marching campaigns.

[Michael Papier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had a few typos I noticed at the very beginning but after that was very impressed with the detail and research that obviously went into this work. Some of the details discussed at some length were critical towards understanding the results a wounded soldier had to face, and those that treated them, yet I've never seen it explained so thoroughly and I've been reading American History and Military History for decades. There is some more recent works that have been done that have some other details of certain events that may differ but this book is well worth the time and effort and should be in any American History and/or Civil War buffs Library and I'd expect to see it in a professional historian's library, without a doubt.

[Daniel Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book does an amazing job of detailing how men went from regular civilians to a highly decorated and disciplined unit during the civil war. Being a fan of history, I was aware of General Chamberlain’s role at Gettysburg, but to hear how he went from a local professor with no military background to a highly regarded and respected officer who was admired from everyone from the president down to the lowest private was quite amazing.

[Lori-Suzanne Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, well researched, very detailed. The 20th Maine Regiment of Infantry Volunteers, of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, of the Army of the Potomac in the Union, was decisive at the Gettysburg battle for Little Round Top. They saved the Union from certain defeat. This book will give you full insight as to what life, as a civil war soldier, was like in the Union Army.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is history and not fiction, so it is slow at times, but provides great documentation. I was fascinated by Joshua L. Chamberlain from my reading of Jeff and Michael Shaara's Civil War historical fiction and wanted to see how much was factual. This book confirmed that the Shaara's are masterful and stay true to history.

[Jesse Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little known book about a well known US regiment in the Civil War. Famous for their bayonet charge that saved the US Army at Gettysburg, the 20th Maine saw a lot more action during the war than just that. A very well written book that makes these real life historical people feel like characters from a story.

[Jim Galford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always found the events of Gettysburg and, especially, Joshua Chamberlain to be intriguing. He was a true hero, rising above others in the battle, yet a man of letters. This is an excellent telling of the story.

[The Angry Lawn Gnome · Rating 4 out of 5]

9781481599191 - The ISBN per my library's Overdrive, not present on GoodReads.

This slightly maudlin but as far as I know thoroughly researched history of the 20th Maine worked extraordinarily well as an audiobook. Whitener's narration was superb, of course, one could hardly expect otherwise.

[Tom Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of the 20th Maine. Pullen's use of diaries and correspondence from men at all ranks fills out this rich history and enables the reader to put themselves on the many battlefields this storied regiment occupied.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history of the 20th Maine and the civil war. Interesting to read about more than just Chamberlain, the 20th had lots of extraordinary officers and men. Very informative and at time exciting. Highly recommend!

[Robbi Fritz Portela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Well written!

[Eric A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good review of the history of the Twentieth Maine during the Civil War.

[Kyle Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story of one regiment who rose far above expectations and the man who rose further than them all, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

[Neddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.66

[Owen Goodrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

crazy stuff

[Gabriel Thomas Malanchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 20th Maine and Joshua Chamberlain is one of my favorite stories of the civil war. Great book!

[Scott Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book as a download from the library. I was surprised to learn that it was written back in 1957. Living in Maine I am, of course, familiar with Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine from their defense of Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg, but this book provided so much more information about the rest of the regiment and how and where they participated throught the Civil War. For example, they were part of the battles of Antietam, Fredericksberg, the Wilderness and then harrasing Lee's army in Virginia all the way until Appomattox. So this book was a good broad history of the Civil War as well. I also leaned much more about the remarkable story of Joshua Chamberlain, including the wounds he received and the times he barely survived.

[Troy Ancona · Rating 5 out of 5]

While, I could have given this a four, but I am reviewing this book as being in a separate class.

Having been written in the late 1950s and by today’s standards it’s hard to find footnotes and verifiable sources makes it a challenge for the hard core history buff to check.

Having met Pullen and being very familiar with the record of the 20th Maine, overall it holds up pretty well.

It does show its age, ongoing research has revealed more information on the 20th Maine and their now immortalized Colonel Chamberlain.

If you like modern history with well sourced footnotes, and verifiable sources with men in history presented in all their spots and blemishes, this book probably is not for you.

If you want a good regimental history In an easy to read style, Where heroes are presented, and their legacy is built up. You likely will enjoy this.

A particular strength is the day to day life presentation of the common regimental soldier instead of the style of book that pops soldiers from one battle to another.

The style of the book can be read by a junior high student that loves history to a hardcore history fan that just wants a fun reading Civil War novel about regimental life.

The 20th Maine accomplished more than Gettysburg, their record is well documented by Mr. Pullen

As I stated at the beginning, I could easily rate this, by today’s standards, with my current expectations a four, but quite simply, this is an old fashion classic which some will not like, but others would find extremely enjoyable.

A great companion is Pullen’s Joshua Chamberlain A Heroes Life and Legacy.

[Curtis J. Correll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing story about an amazing group of men. The Twentieth Maine was involved in some of the pivotal battles of the Civil War. This book tells a cohesive story about a regiment that grew into a famous fighting unit during the war. It also relates the story with an engaging and sometimes poetic flair.
There are some tendencies by the author to paint the regiment as always being the best fighters and never losing in a battle that was their fault. (I know from some other books that even this great regiment had days where they didn't get the best of the Confederates.) Outside of that one slight criticism, I think you will enjoy this book.