Beyond the Battlefield: Stories from Gettysburg's Rich History

Canawlers #2

by James Rada Jr.

Home to a U.S. president, Hall of Fame pitcher and a classic automobile inventor, there’s so much more to Gettysburg than just a three-day battle Sure Gettysburg is best-known for the epic Civil War battle that was fought there in 1863. It tends to overshadow many of the other interesting and important stories that have taken place in Gettysburg and the vicinity. Gettysburg was also home to one of the first tank training camps in the country during World War I. This camp brought a young army officer to Gettysburg who would play a very important role in town but also the world. His name was Dwight David Eisenhower. Hall of Fame pitcher Eddie Plank called Gettysburg home. He even owned a garage in town after he retired. Gettysburg is filled with stories of the famous and the not so famous, the curious and the cute, the mysterious and the deadly. Together they will tell you the story of a Gettysburg that you don’t know. It is a town with a rich history that spans many years before and after the Civil War.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

I am a multi-award-winning journalist and copywriter. I have also written a number of books, both fiction and nonfiction and plan to write even more. I work as a freelance writer in Gettysburg, PA, where I live with my wife and sons.

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written history of the Daughters of Charity and their work during the Civil War. For anyone looking to learn more about the medical side of this time period it provides a detailed understanding while adding a humanistic touch to the sisters. Very enjoyable!

[Mary K. Shrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to Put Down!

My book club chose "Canawlers" and I loved it so much that I purchased the rest of the series! Thank you James Rada for writing great stories about our area! I grew up in the area and loved reading about the C&O Canal with the Fitzgerald family!

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually a reader of stone cold agents like Matt Helm and John Wells and some softer ones like Tommy Carmellini but I do love history so I thought I'd give it a try.This is a series about a family that is striving to endure along the Potomac River during the War of Northern Aggression.While I thought I would like the historical aspects I wasn't too enamored with the story of a family toiling to make a decent living and life in those difficult times.I was wrong.I did become enamored.It didn't take long even for a hardened heart like mine to empathise with this family and become anxious for them to come out on the right side of some bad things happening to them.Mr. Rada is a pretty good story teller and I hope he continues this series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads first-reads.

I recommend this book for anyone who loves Gettysburg or is interested in history. The book contains true stories and photos from Gettysburg's history. It takes one beyond just the battlefield and opens one up to other fascinating tidbits. I enjoyed learning more about a city I love for it's Civil War history. The next time I visit my mind and eyes will be open to other historical facts that make the city great.

[James Rada Jr.]

I'm the author so anything I write about it will be biased. I will say that this book was a challenge for me to write. It was my first book-length history book. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I hope you like it.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still intrigued by the Fitzgerald family--- but what happens? This book was published in '03. Is there going to be a third book in this series? Part two did not wrap anything up for me.

[Lynn Brewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but very tedious. If you are a Civil War buff you would really enjoy this book.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is great if you love gettysburg. it has a lot of interesting stories. and the history.gets me more drawn into gettysburg