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Gettysburg: A Journey in Time
A unique example of photographic detective work in which the famous battle is re-created almost as if it were a contemporary news event. The reader is transported to the battlefield by the photographs and through the analysis of the photographs to the battle itself. We watch it unfold, action by action. In meticulous close-up fashion, with documentary force, we see the terrible encounters of men at war.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 10, 2023
Classic Gettysburg Photographs
Within a matter of days of the conclusion of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863) photographers were on the scene to capture the Battlefield and its participants. These photographers included Alexander Gardner of Philadelphia, who began photographing the Battlefield on July 7 or 8, 1863, the famous Matthew Brady, the Tyson Brothers, portrait photographers who lived in Gettysburg, and others. Their photographs were arranged in series and sold in various formats to the American public which was eager to learn about the War.
Over the years, the photographs have been misidentified, placed out of sequence and, in some instances, forgotten. William Frassinto's "Gettyburg, a Journey in Time" (1975) was among the first books to recapture this photographic legacy, to study the scenes and the makers of the pictures, and to organize his material in a book for the modern reader. Mr. Frassinto has since published a number of sequels to this initial book as well as a study of photographers at Antietam.
The book consists of approximately 100 photographs, most of them dating from shortly after the battle in July, 1863 through 1866. There are also a number of photographs that Mr. Frassanito himself took dating from the late 1960s and early 1970s. These photos allow the reader to compare the original scenes with the current state of the Gettysburg Battlefield.
After a short discussion giving biographical information on the photographers and information on their visits to Gettysburg, Mr Frassanito presents and discusses the photographs themselves. His presentation is arranged in six groups: 1. the first day's battle (north and west of the town); 2. Cemetery Hill; 3. Culp's Hill; 4. Cemetery Ridge; 5. Little Round Top and Devil's Den; 6. the Rose Farm.
Mr. Frassanito introduces each group with a short description of the significance of the site. He then discusses each picture in detail, explaining when it was taken, what it shows, and its importance to the Battle of Gettysburg. The photographs are themselves eloquent and compelling and their effect is heightened by Mr Frassanito's commentary. I came away understanding the first day's battle and the fighting on Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill on the Union right much better as a result of Mr. Frassanito's account and the photographs.
The most famous photographs in the book are probably those of the dead soldiers (in a few cases the photos were taken of live soldiers posing as dead for the photographers) on Little Round Top and on the Rose Farm. Most of these photographs were taken by Gardner because the dead were removed from the Battlefield relatively quickly after the battle. Gardner moved from south to north on the Battlefield and captured the few instances in which the dead had not yet been buried. The photos capture the terrible costs of the Battle.
Many of Gardner's photos have been erroneously identified over the years as originating from the first day's fighting on McPherson's ridge. Mr. Frassanito explains how he determined these photographs in fact originated on Rose Hill, on the southern part of the Battlefield. (The first day fighting was on the northernmost part of the Battlefield.) Yet misidentifications die hard. I have seen books which postdate Mr. Frassanito's which continue to attribute these photographs to the first day of the fighting.
The photos and the text in this book will give the reader a good sense of the tragedy and cost of this seminal battle. Mr. Frassanito's book remains essential for those interested in seriously exploring the Battle of Gettysburg.
Robin Friedman
Within a matter of days of the conclusion of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863) photographers were on the scene to capture the Battlefield and its participants. These photographers included Alexander Gardner of Philadelphia, who began photographing the Battlefield on July 7 or 8, 1863, the famous Matthew Brady, the Tyson Brothers, portrait photographers who lived in Gettysburg, and others. Their photographs were arranged in series and sold in various formats to the American public which was eager to learn about the War.
Over the years, the photographs have been misidentified, placed out of sequence and, in some instances, forgotten. William Frassinto's "Gettyburg, a Journey in Time" (1975) was among the first books to recapture this photographic legacy, to study the scenes and the makers of the pictures, and to organize his material in a book for the modern reader. Mr. Frassinto has since published a number of sequels to this initial book as well as a study of photographers at Antietam.
The book consists of approximately 100 photographs, most of them dating from shortly after the battle in July, 1863 through 1866. There are also a number of photographs that Mr. Frassanito himself took dating from the late 1960s and early 1970s. These photos allow the reader to compare the original scenes with the current state of the Gettysburg Battlefield.
After a short discussion giving biographical information on the photographers and information on their visits to Gettysburg, Mr Frassanito presents and discusses the photographs themselves. His presentation is arranged in six groups: 1. the first day's battle (north and west of the town); 2. Cemetery Hill; 3. Culp's Hill; 4. Cemetery Ridge; 5. Little Round Top and Devil's Den; 6. the Rose Farm.
Mr. Frassanito introduces each group with a short description of the significance of the site. He then discusses each picture in detail, explaining when it was taken, what it shows, and its importance to the Battle of Gettysburg. The photographs are themselves eloquent and compelling and their effect is heightened by Mr Frassanito's commentary. I came away understanding the first day's battle and the fighting on Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill on the Union right much better as a result of Mr. Frassanito's account and the photographs.
The most famous photographs in the book are probably those of the dead soldiers (in a few cases the photos were taken of live soldiers posing as dead for the photographers) on Little Round Top and on the Rose Farm. Most of these photographs were taken by Gardner because the dead were removed from the Battlefield relatively quickly after the battle. Gardner moved from south to north on the Battlefield and captured the few instances in which the dead had not yet been buried. The photos capture the terrible costs of the Battle.
Many of Gardner's photos have been erroneously identified over the years as originating from the first day's fighting on McPherson's ridge. Mr. Frassanito explains how he determined these photographs in fact originated on Rose Hill, on the southern part of the Battlefield. (The first day fighting was on the northernmost part of the Battlefield.) Yet misidentifications die hard. I have seen books which postdate Mr. Frassanito's which continue to attribute these photographs to the first day of the fighting.
The photos and the text in this book will give the reader a good sense of the tragedy and cost of this seminal battle. Mr. Frassanito's book remains essential for those interested in seriously exploring the Battle of Gettysburg.
Robin Friedman
August 13, 2014
Did someone really say in a review that this book was dated???? Of course it is dated, but still a valuable tool for investigating the Gettysburg Battlefield today. Frassanito explores the early images of the Gettysburg Battlefield taken by numerous photographers. He lines them up to modern day locations, even including shots of these locations that were modern to the time when the book was originally published.(1975). He analyzes the terrain and speculates on what regiments any known dead might have belonged to.
Maps provide the key to enjoyment of this book, as readers can go to the battlefield today and position themselves where these famous photos were originally taken and take their own modern versions in comparison. Looking forward to doing this myself.
This is a must book for any of the serious student of the battle.
Maps provide the key to enjoyment of this book, as readers can go to the battlefield today and position themselves where these famous photos were originally taken and take their own modern versions in comparison. Looking forward to doing this myself.
This is a must book for any of the serious student of the battle.
December 22, 2024
I first read Frassanito's book back in the 70's and was inspired to re-read it after a recent trip to Gettysburg. And I'm glad that I did, it is pretty fascinating!
The first couple chapters describe how photographs were taken back then, it was quite a process. It took about 10 minutes to take a picture. Plenty of sunlight was need for outdoor shots. Some taken were full shots and others were done as two pictures (one smaller) at the same time. These type were later viewed through a special device, similar to a "viewmaster" and they would look like they were 3-D. Quite interesting, I'm going to have to find a book about 19th century photography. Newspapers could not print photographs in those days, so photographers would have shows and exhibits so people could see them. Some of the first pictures of actual dead battle casualties were seen this way.
The author went through hundreds of photos to find what he needed for this book. He would look at a contemporary taken photo and then try to find the actual location in our times (the 1970's for the book), a very difficult task, since there was little or no identification of where on the battlefield the picture was taken. The book thus shows the old photo and Frassanito's modern photo of the same shot.
Most of the photos were taken by three different groups (though there were others too). The first to the scene of the battle was Alexander Gardner and his crew, arriving there on July 5th, two days after the battle. His favorite subject was dead bodies and there were still some not yet buried (mostly Confederates). He got his photographs, sometimes dragging the bodies around to make them more dramatic. Frassanito points this out (one especially being very famous). However, since he was there right after the battle, not much was yet known as to what was most important to photograph. Next up (about two weeks later) was Mathew Brady with his group. By then more was known as what was important to photograph (though he did miss some areas he should have photographed). Finally, there was the Tyson Brothers who had an actual studio in Gettysburg. They took photos months and even a couple years after the battle. Astonishingly, there were no contemporary photographs made of the area where the famous "Pickett's Charge" took place.
I was amazed on the research the author did go through to find the true location of the pictures (many mislabeled, etc.). This is quite an engrossing book. I will have to re-read his Antietam book, too.
The first couple chapters describe how photographs were taken back then, it was quite a process. It took about 10 minutes to take a picture. Plenty of sunlight was need for outdoor shots. Some taken were full shots and others were done as two pictures (one smaller) at the same time. These type were later viewed through a special device, similar to a "viewmaster" and they would look like they were 3-D. Quite interesting, I'm going to have to find a book about 19th century photography. Newspapers could not print photographs in those days, so photographers would have shows and exhibits so people could see them. Some of the first pictures of actual dead battle casualties were seen this way.
The author went through hundreds of photos to find what he needed for this book. He would look at a contemporary taken photo and then try to find the actual location in our times (the 1970's for the book), a very difficult task, since there was little or no identification of where on the battlefield the picture was taken. The book thus shows the old photo and Frassanito's modern photo of the same shot.
Most of the photos were taken by three different groups (though there were others too). The first to the scene of the battle was Alexander Gardner and his crew, arriving there on July 5th, two days after the battle. His favorite subject was dead bodies and there were still some not yet buried (mostly Confederates). He got his photographs, sometimes dragging the bodies around to make them more dramatic. Frassanito points this out (one especially being very famous). However, since he was there right after the battle, not much was yet known as to what was most important to photograph. Next up (about two weeks later) was Mathew Brady with his group. By then more was known as what was important to photograph (though he did miss some areas he should have photographed). Finally, there was the Tyson Brothers who had an actual studio in Gettysburg. They took photos months and even a couple years after the battle. Astonishingly, there were no contemporary photographs made of the area where the famous "Pickett's Charge" took place.
I was amazed on the research the author did go through to find the true location of the pictures (many mislabeled, etc.). This is quite an engrossing book. I will have to re-read his Antietam book, too.
September 17, 2024
“Where were those famous Gettysburg pictures taken?”
This book answers is for you. An absolute treasure trove for wanting to understand the “what am I looking at?” in most of the famous pictures taken in and around Gettysburg in the recent aftermath of the western hemispheres bloodiest battle.
This book answers is for you. An absolute treasure trove for wanting to understand the “what am I looking at?” in most of the famous pictures taken in and around Gettysburg in the recent aftermath of the western hemispheres bloodiest battle.
May 15, 2020
The godfather of then and now photography, this book popularized photography as historical detection. This was a very interesting read. It is a very good idea to be familiar with the battle and the battlefield. I don't think anyone not familiar would find it as interesting.
June 18, 2021
A very valuable tool for the Civil War enthusiast who wants to understand the way that the Battle of Gettysburg played out, the physical geography of the battlefield and the history and true story of the photographs of this epic site.
The author Frassanito had his work cut out for him as many of the photographs had been mislabeled or misapplied to other parts of the battlefield. The photographers in those days were glory seeking showmen who would drag corpses across the field and even place them in poses.
Frassanito was up to the task to cut through this fog and give us perhaps the best understanding of the physical site.
I have been to Gettysburg many times and I must say that the simple map on page 11 is the most valuable tool that I have ever found to simplify the scene of the battle.
The author Frassanito had his work cut out for him as many of the photographs had been mislabeled or misapplied to other parts of the battlefield. The photographers in those days were glory seeking showmen who would drag corpses across the field and even place them in poses.
Frassanito was up to the task to cut through this fog and give us perhaps the best understanding of the physical site.
I have been to Gettysburg many times and I must say that the simple map on page 11 is the most valuable tool that I have ever found to simplify the scene of the battle.
September 8, 2025
Very , very interesting for the civil war buffs!
William Frassanito explains the pictorial journey of picture history. It was worth the time to experience history made visible and clarify the war in Gettysburg.
William Frassanito explains the pictorial journey of picture history. It was worth the time to experience history made visible and clarify the war in Gettysburg.
May 20, 2021
Fascinating !
October 17, 2022
One of my favorite books about early civil war photographers, and their works.
May 31, 2025
Very interesting research in the photographers who captured Gettysburg right after the war.
September 10, 2022
This is a book that I had been wanting to read for a long time, as it’s one of my dad’s favorite Gettysburg books. I’m so glad I finally took the time to read it! This book was very interesting, and I honestly can’t wait to use it as a guide on my next trip to Gettysburg. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this to beginners, as it’s not a comprehensive look at the battle itself. With that being said, although Frassanito kept details relatively simple, I still learned quite a bit while reading this one. I see now why this book comes so highly recommended—this is a must-read for students of the Battle of Gettysburg.
May 14, 2010
I have a personal love for this book-my great-great grandfather on my mother's side, Charles Tyson, is in this book. He & his brother owned "Tyson Brothers Photography Studio" in Gettysburg at the time of the battle. The author wonders why Charles did not take more photos of the dead. His great granddaughter Elizabeth told me why: "Charles was a Quaker, thee knows. Friends did not believe in glorifying death, that is why he wouldn't photograph the dead." (The Tysons where Quakers who came to the New World on one of Penn's ships.)
June 6, 2019
although heavily researched. ..book was published in 1970's and retains an outdated flavor. So-called modern photos are now over 40 years old. what is interesting is this is an early example of the media covering war and all the manipulation that occurs in its depiction of THE TRUTHful face of war.
May 28, 2012
An amazing book. Certainly one for Gettysburg scholars but I also think its unique perspective - looking at the battle through the photographic record - would interest many who have no interest in military history.
June 9, 2013
Indispensible groundbreaking work on not only the Battle of Gettysburg, but the history of photography and the use of photography in the Civil War.
July 13, 2013
William Frassanito is William Frassanito's biggest fan. That being said, I very much enjoy his studies.
April 30, 2015
Review to come.
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May 5, 2013One of my favorite books of all time!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews