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The Maps of the Wilderness: An Atlas of the Wilderness Campaign, Including all Cavalry Operations, May 2-6, 1864
Finalist, 2016, Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Book Award
The Maps of the An Atlas of the Wilderness Campaign, May 2-7, 1864 continues Bradley M. Gottfried’s efforts to study and illustrate the major campaigns of the Civil War’s Eastern Theater. This is his fifth book in the ongoing Savas Beatie Military Atlas Series. The previous four were The Maps of Gettysburg (2007), The Maps of First Bull Run (2009), The Maps of Antietam (2012), and The Maps of the Bristoe Station and Mine Run Campaigns (2013).
This latest magisterial work breaks down the entire campaign (and all related operational maneuvers) into 24 map sets or “action-sections” enriched with 120 original full-page color maps. These spectacular cartographic creations bore down to the regimental and battery level. The Maps of the Wilderness includes an assessment of the winter of 1863-1864, the planning for the campaign, the crossing of the Rapidan River, and two days of bloody combat and the day of watchful stalemate thereafter.
At least one—and as many as eight—maps accompany each “action-section.” Opposite each map is a full facing page of detailed footnoted text describing the units, personalities, movements, and combat (including quotes from eyewitnesses) depicted on the accompanying map, all of which make the story of the first large-scale combat of 1864 come alive. Each cartographic snapshot also serves to unlock everything ever written on the subject. This detailed coverage also includes an order of battle, interview with the author, bibliography, and an index.
This original presentation leads readers on a journey through the epic battle that would prove to be the opening salvo in a prolonged fight that would not end until the Confederates surrendered at Appomattox in April 1865. The Wilderness Campaign has two unique characteristics. First, although he did not command the Army of the Potomac, the battle was Ulysses S. Grant’s first against General Robert E. Lee. Second, the Wilderness fighting—prolonged, bloody, and inconclusive—is widely viewed as the most confusing action of the entire war. The dense thickets and deep smoke obscured much of what occurred during the two days of combat. Gottfried’s book cuts through the confusion to deliver a clear account of the horrendous struggle.
Perfect for the easy chair or for walking hallowed ground, The Maps of the Wilderness is a seminal work that, like his earlier studies, belongs on the bookshelf of every serious and casual student of the Civil War, or in the hands of an avid enthusiast out walking the Hallowed Ground.
The Maps of the An Atlas of the Wilderness Campaign, May 2-7, 1864 continues Bradley M. Gottfried’s efforts to study and illustrate the major campaigns of the Civil War’s Eastern Theater. This is his fifth book in the ongoing Savas Beatie Military Atlas Series. The previous four were The Maps of Gettysburg (2007), The Maps of First Bull Run (2009), The Maps of Antietam (2012), and The Maps of the Bristoe Station and Mine Run Campaigns (2013).
This latest magisterial work breaks down the entire campaign (and all related operational maneuvers) into 24 map sets or “action-sections” enriched with 120 original full-page color maps. These spectacular cartographic creations bore down to the regimental and battery level. The Maps of the Wilderness includes an assessment of the winter of 1863-1864, the planning for the campaign, the crossing of the Rapidan River, and two days of bloody combat and the day of watchful stalemate thereafter.
At least one—and as many as eight—maps accompany each “action-section.” Opposite each map is a full facing page of detailed footnoted text describing the units, personalities, movements, and combat (including quotes from eyewitnesses) depicted on the accompanying map, all of which make the story of the first large-scale combat of 1864 come alive. Each cartographic snapshot also serves to unlock everything ever written on the subject. This detailed coverage also includes an order of battle, interview with the author, bibliography, and an index.
This original presentation leads readers on a journey through the epic battle that would prove to be the opening salvo in a prolonged fight that would not end until the Confederates surrendered at Appomattox in April 1865. The Wilderness Campaign has two unique characteristics. First, although he did not command the Army of the Potomac, the battle was Ulysses S. Grant’s first against General Robert E. Lee. Second, the Wilderness fighting—prolonged, bloody, and inconclusive—is widely viewed as the most confusing action of the entire war. The dense thickets and deep smoke obscured much of what occurred during the two days of combat. Gottfried’s book cuts through the confusion to deliver a clear account of the horrendous struggle.
Perfect for the easy chair or for walking hallowed ground, The Maps of the Wilderness is a seminal work that, like his earlier studies, belongs on the bookshelf of every serious and casual student of the Civil War, or in the hands of an avid enthusiast out walking the Hallowed Ground.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published April 19, 2015
10 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Bradley M. Gottfried
32 books5 followersBorn and raised in Philadelphia, Brad Gottfried earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University and spent the four decades as an educator in higher education. He has served as a full-time faculty member, department head, campus dean, chief academic officer and president. Before retiring in 2017, he served as President of Sussex County Community College (NJ) and College of Southern Maryland for the past 17 years.
His interest in the Civil War began at an early age and was rekindled when he returned to an administrative position in the Philadelphia area. His fourteenth book was recently published. His early writing primarily centered on the Battle of Gettysburg, and he wrote five books on this topic. He has also written two brigade-level histories. His current “niche” is map books, where he thoroughly describes campaigns through the use of maps. Seven books have been published in this series: Gettysburg, First Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cavalry at Gettysburg, Bristoe/Mine Run, and the Wilderness, have been published. The Maps of Spotsylvania through Cold Harbor will be published next. He is also working on a variety of other Civil War related projects.
In addition to writing, Brad is an Antietam Certified Battlefield Guide and a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide. He may have retired, but he is still an educator.
Brad is married to his wife, Linda and between them they have four grown children and six grandchildren. The Gottfrieds moved from Southern Maryland to Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, which is just west of Gettysburg.
His interest in the Civil War began at an early age and was rekindled when he returned to an administrative position in the Philadelphia area. His fourteenth book was recently published. His early writing primarily centered on the Battle of Gettysburg, and he wrote five books on this topic. He has also written two brigade-level histories. His current “niche” is map books, where he thoroughly describes campaigns through the use of maps. Seven books have been published in this series: Gettysburg, First Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cavalry at Gettysburg, Bristoe/Mine Run, and the Wilderness, have been published. The Maps of Spotsylvania through Cold Harbor will be published next. He is also working on a variety of other Civil War related projects.
In addition to writing, Brad is an Antietam Certified Battlefield Guide and a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide. He may have retired, but he is still an educator.
Brad is married to his wife, Linda and between them they have four grown children and six grandchildren. The Gottfrieds moved from Southern Maryland to Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, which is just west of Gettysburg.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 5, 2016
Bradley M. Gottfried has created some of the most significant maps in the past few years in the realm of Civil War academia. If you are a Civil War student or reader, the odds of you coming across Bradley M. Gottfried’s maps are high. There is a reason for the popularity of his maps and it has everything to do with the accuracy and detail of what he has placed down before us. The Maps of the Wilderness is the new set which adds more to his amazing collection of narratives and charts. This new book truly adds to the already invaluable series of atlases he has completed.
Bradley M. Gottfried is a notable Civil War scholar who holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University. He is a faculty member and administrator and is the President of the College of Southern Maryland. He has written ten books on the Civil War including The Battle of Gettysburg: A Guided Tour, Roads to Gettysburg, and Brigades at Gettysburg. His other works in the Savas Beatie Military Atlas Series include The Maps of Gettysburg, The Maps of First Bull Run, The Maps of the Bristoe Station and Mine Run Campaign and The Maps of Antietam. He is constantly adding more to the atlas series with more title to come.
There are certain qualities which make up a good map set and Gottfried has done all in perfect order. First and foremost, the maps are gorgeous. There is never any confusion over who is where and what they are performing in the military realm. They are drawn with the highest artistry with proper keys and scales. The maps themselves are going to benefit any student or scholar with information concerning the Wilderness Campaign. But what places Gottfried’s maps over the top when it comes to the professionalism of a military atlas is the explanations which he gives on the offset page. Not only do we get proper maps of the battle, but we get a full narrative and Gottfried’s narrative is spectacular. Each section of the battle is set up properly with the opening map and the series of charts follow giving the full understanding of what happened there. On top of that, he also gives us the time frame of what is happening before us. Many times in other works, the maps are just placed next to the narrative to assume we know what we are looking at. Here, Gottfried takes great care into how he has constructed this book and I’m sure it will be appreciated by all who wonder in the Wilderness Campaign.
When I first read The Maps of Gettysburg, I was impressed with the amount of detail which the author brought to the field. With The Maps of the Wilderness, Gottfried continues his immersive narrative with the beautiful maps that he only continues to deliver some of the best work in Civil War topography. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Civil War. While it would aid more readers of the Wilderness Campaign, this atlas should be in the library of all Civil War readers and historians.
Matthew Bartlett - Gettysburg Chronicle
Bradley M. Gottfried is a notable Civil War scholar who holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University. He is a faculty member and administrator and is the President of the College of Southern Maryland. He has written ten books on the Civil War including The Battle of Gettysburg: A Guided Tour, Roads to Gettysburg, and Brigades at Gettysburg. His other works in the Savas Beatie Military Atlas Series include The Maps of Gettysburg, The Maps of First Bull Run, The Maps of the Bristoe Station and Mine Run Campaign and The Maps of Antietam. He is constantly adding more to the atlas series with more title to come.
There are certain qualities which make up a good map set and Gottfried has done all in perfect order. First and foremost, the maps are gorgeous. There is never any confusion over who is where and what they are performing in the military realm. They are drawn with the highest artistry with proper keys and scales. The maps themselves are going to benefit any student or scholar with information concerning the Wilderness Campaign. But what places Gottfried’s maps over the top when it comes to the professionalism of a military atlas is the explanations which he gives on the offset page. Not only do we get proper maps of the battle, but we get a full narrative and Gottfried’s narrative is spectacular. Each section of the battle is set up properly with the opening map and the series of charts follow giving the full understanding of what happened there. On top of that, he also gives us the time frame of what is happening before us. Many times in other works, the maps are just placed next to the narrative to assume we know what we are looking at. Here, Gottfried takes great care into how he has constructed this book and I’m sure it will be appreciated by all who wonder in the Wilderness Campaign.
When I first read The Maps of Gettysburg, I was impressed with the amount of detail which the author brought to the field. With The Maps of the Wilderness, Gottfried continues his immersive narrative with the beautiful maps that he only continues to deliver some of the best work in Civil War topography. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Civil War. While it would aid more readers of the Wilderness Campaign, this atlas should be in the library of all Civil War readers and historians.
Matthew Bartlett - Gettysburg Chronicle
April 13, 2020
Great book! The narrative is straightforward but when coupled with the excellent maps and timelines, it moves the book to great.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews