The Battle of Gettysburg

by Craig L. Symonds

This stunning narrative of the epic Battle of Gettysburg begins with the clash of Union and Confederate armies at Chancellorsville and concludes with Robert E. Lee's retreat through Pennsylvania and escape across the Potomac. Award-winning historian Craig L. Symonds recounts the events of three hot, brutal days in July when Americans struggled battled one another across a dozen square miles of rolling Pennsylvania countryside. Symonds details the military strategy of both sides, including the Confederate decision to invade the North, the cat-and-mouse game in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and, finally, the terrible clash of arms on the hills and fields of Gettysburg. Firsthand accounts humanize generals and individual soldiers of the Blue and Gray who fought for their lives, their homes, and their convictions. This is the story of Gettysburg as it has never been told before.

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

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2017

About the author

Craig Lee Symonds is a retired professor and former chairman of the history department at the United States Naval Academy. He earned both his MA (1969) and Ph.D. (1976) from the University of Florida.

Reviews

[James Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book describes in detail the many facets of this pivotol Battle of the American Civil War it demonstrates the different styles of the various Commanders on both sides of the Field. It punchs a rethaer large hole in the commonly held belief of the infalibility of Robery E Lee he handled this battle rather badly refusing to listen to the opinions of his subordinates. However, his subordinates to often hesitated and delayed in following their orders. Ewell’s refusal to take the High Ground on Day 1... Longstreet continually dragged his feet throughout the Battle denying Lee the Support of his Deputy Commander. Stewart’s failure to monitor and locate where the Federal forces were and convey that crucial info. back to Lee & Longstreet.... on the Federal Side there were incidents of criminal disobedience to orders Sickles breaking the Federal line by advancing his Corps into the Peach orchard because he did not agreed with Meades line of Battle....Meades ordering the Brigades defending Culps Hill to abandon their position..so many errors made, but many are due to the manner information had to be handled in 1863 all hastly scribbled & often confussing hand written nores or oral commands the messenger had to commit to memory and often poorly. The book makes clear the difficulties Commmanders of both sides had to contend with, but it also makes clear the incredible courage shown by the fighting men of both sides... Chamberland on Litttle Round top to the 12,600 men in the Brigades that assulted the Union Center on July 3rd.. Courage was not in short supply in the first 3 days of July 1863 in the corner of Pennsvanyia.

my major complait with this book is a common one to on-line e-books sold and that is the sloppy editing that allows typo after typo to be missed and passed on to the unsuspecting reader and this book is full of them.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This stunning narrative of the epic Battle of Gettysburg begins with the clash of Union and Confederate armies at Chancellorsville and concludes with Robert E. Lee's retreat through Pennsylvania and escape across the Potomac. Award-winning historian Craig L. Symonds recounts the events of three hot, brutal days in July when Americans struggled battled one another across a dozen square miles of rolling Pennsylvania countryside. Symonds details the military strategy of both sides, including the Confederate decision to invade the North, the cat-and-mouse game in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and, finally, the terrible clash of arms on the hills and fields of Gettysburg. Firsthand accounts humanize generals and individual soldiers of the Blue and Gray who fought for their lives, their homes, and their convictions. This is the story of Gettysburg as it has never been told before.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished this book. Even though it clocks in at just a little over 200 pages, because of the small print it seems like a much longer book. It is very detailed with a lot of information about the Battle of Gettysburg. If you really want to get into the nitty gritty of the battle and everything that happened, this is a great book. It wasn't exactly what I was looking or hoping for. I would have preferred less detail. So I cannot say I enjoyed the book. The book is well written so my 3-star rating is not about the writing or accuracy of the book, but that I wasn't really looking for such a detailed account and as such, it took me a long time to read.

[Karl Pence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and Accurate

I recommend this rendering of the Gettysburg battle as a fine first in depth study; that is, to someone with some knowledge and sophistication in reading Civil War history who hasn’t read a book length treatment of this particular event. It reads to me as fairly even-handed and accurate and it is well-written (good usage, diction, and grammar) and would, I might hope, lead one to a fuller reputable account.

[Joel Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent well written book

I thoroughly enjoyed this overview. Not too detailed but just enough detail to expose the thinking and troop movements that went into this battle. I have read many books about the civil war and this engagement and I can honestly say this book captivated my attention from start to finish.

[Bill Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volumes have been written on the Gettysburg campaign. This fairly recent book provides an excellent overview. It does suffer from a lack of maps but these are easily referenced on-line. I recommend this book to anyone seeking a “big picture” overview of Gettysburg with sufficient detail to capture the drama, pathos, and tragedy of this significant event.

[Ja55y · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Depicts brilliantly the bravery, honor, comradeship and ,alas, the futility of the men who fought in the battle. A mixture of professional and amateur officers, valiantly leading their men in a charge against equally valiant men for a cause their leader knew was doomed.

[joseph lavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional work

In a relatively short 170 pages, this book tells the story of Gettysburg in a gripping read. It is strongly recommended for anyone who has an interest in the Civil War.

[neil j brazitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good factual read

Gives interesting perspective on the battle from a broad sense. The use of letters, diaries and documents supports the conclusions of the author.

[Michael Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

History brought to life

A concise riveting account of the battle that helps separate

A concise riveting account of the battle, that skillfully separated fact from fiction.

[david f sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Hard to put down. A lot of new information on the battle .. gives some new insight. A definite good read..

[Charles Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Drawings would help follow movements of troops and lines....otherwise a very thorough account of the battle of Gettysburg and the ensuing retreat/escape of Lee's troops

[George Polansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent coverage.

[Ed White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it as the narrative was direct and to the point. Needs more maps as I had to use another book for them. There are narratives that have more detail.

[Richard J. Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Book On the Battle of Gettysburg I Have Ever Read

Craig Symonds tells details not I covered, and yet the writing is succinct, concise. I did not want the book to end.