What do you think?
Rate this book
Gettysburg: Three Days That Saved the United States
Packed with facts, stories, and illustrations, a guide to the historic Pennsylvania battle that marked a turning point in the American Civil War.
From the first shots fired at 7:30 a.m. on July 1, 1863 in a field west of Gettysburg to Robert E. Lee’s losing gamble known as Pickett’s Charge on July 3, just fifty-five hours later, Gettysburg is a snapshot of three of the most important days in US history.
Editor Ben Nussbaum has compiled a fascinating retelling of political, military, and social conditions that thrust the sleepy town of Gettysburg forever into the pages of history books. In addition to informative timelines and fact sheets of the battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War, this handsomely illustrated volume also captures the human stories—of Father Corby and the Irish Brigade; Amos Humiston, the unidentified father who died in battle clutching a photograph of his three children; the eleven-year-old sergeant, John L. Clem, who killed a Confederate soldier; John Burns, the only civilian to fight in the battle; and Jubal Early, an unlikely general who “scared Abraham Lincoln like hell.”
Also included is the poignant story and photographs of a reunion fifty years later of fifty thousand Union and Confederate veterans, among them a man believed to be 112 years old, and a chapter focusing on a dozen significant monuments among Gettysburg’s numerous historic landmarks. In addition, a resource section offers readers and visitors ways to learn more about the Battle of Gettysburg, including books, websites, and games.
From the first shots fired at 7:30 a.m. on July 1, 1863 in a field west of Gettysburg to Robert E. Lee’s losing gamble known as Pickett’s Charge on July 3, just fifty-five hours later, Gettysburg is a snapshot of three of the most important days in US history.
Editor Ben Nussbaum has compiled a fascinating retelling of political, military, and social conditions that thrust the sleepy town of Gettysburg forever into the pages of history books. In addition to informative timelines and fact sheets of the battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War, this handsomely illustrated volume also captures the human stories—of Father Corby and the Irish Brigade; Amos Humiston, the unidentified father who died in battle clutching a photograph of his three children; the eleven-year-old sergeant, John L. Clem, who killed a Confederate soldier; John Burns, the only civilian to fight in the battle; and Jubal Early, an unlikely general who “scared Abraham Lincoln like hell.”
Also included is the poignant story and photographs of a reunion fifty years later of fifty thousand Union and Confederate veterans, among them a man believed to be 112 years old, and a chapter focusing on a dozen significant monuments among Gettysburg’s numerous historic landmarks. In addition, a resource section offers readers and visitors ways to learn more about the Battle of Gettysburg, including books, websites, and games.
97 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2014
46 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 19, 2022
This is a great overview of why Gettysburg was such a critical battle for the Union and the events taking place before that led up to it.
Interesting personal stories of those who fought or observed the battle.
Missing maps of the battle which hurt in visualizing the events. I had to Google to get them.
MY GRADE: B plus.
Interesting personal stories of those who fought or observed the battle.
Missing maps of the battle which hurt in visualizing the events. I had to Google to get them.
MY GRADE: B plus.
May 5, 2022
I was excited to find this book as I was preparing a history talk on the battle of Gettysburg. I was blown away with the amount of information the author shared here, and the depth of the analysis that he undertook to delve into the battle.
Gettysburg is one of my favorite areas of study, and so to find a book that talks ONLY about Gettysburg (yes, there are many), while giving readers not only an insight into the three day affair, but takes on some of the myths, different takes, and discusses both sides - well, I loved it.
Great book overall, and one that I will be recommending students to read!
Gettysburg is one of my favorite areas of study, and so to find a book that talks ONLY about Gettysburg (yes, there are many), while giving readers not only an insight into the three day affair, but takes on some of the myths, different takes, and discusses both sides - well, I loved it.
Great book overall, and one that I will be recommending students to read!
February 3, 2023
A New Introduction To Gettysburg
For some years, my reading focused on the Civil War in general and on the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863) in particular. I thought and still do that learning about the Civil War is an excellent way for Americans to understand and appreciate our country and its ideals. Virtually every aspect of the Battle of Gettysburg has been studied in depth. The interested reader can explore the subject endlessly.
This recent book, "Gettysburg: Three Days that Saved the United States" offers a short photographic introduction to Gettysburg and its significance. Originally published in 2013 for the 150th anniversary of the battle, the book was edited and reissued in 2022. Ben Nussbaum edited the volume, which includes contributions from several scholars of the Civil War.
While it makes no claims to be exhaustive, the book offers a good overview of the combat. The military movements of the three-day battle are summarized in only a few pages. The remaining sections of the book also are short but provide supportive material over and above the fighting so that the reader may understand Gettysburg's significance. The book discusses the commanders, the troops, and the injuries and casualties of battle. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address receives a short but good discussion. Sections of the book deal with important individuals at the battle, such as Father Corby, Confederate General Jubal Early, and Amos Humiston. The book discusses briefly the history of the battlefield and its monuments. It includes discussion of places associated with the battle, such as Chambersburg, Williamsport, Carlisle, and Antietam. A short but important section discusses the 1913 Reunion at Gettysburg between soldiers from the North and South. The texts in each section are accompanied by good photographs together with annotations. A brief bibliography concludes the book.
Of course, not every reader will feel the need to explore the Battle of Gettysburg in depth. This short volume offers enough material to give the basics of the battle and to encourage reflection and thought. Ample material is available for those wanting to learn about Gettysburg in more detail. The book made me want to revisit Gettysburg and brought back the days when I studied the battle.. I was fortunate to find this book in my local public library and to have the opportunity to think again about Gettysburg and its history.
Robin Friedman
For some years, my reading focused on the Civil War in general and on the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863) in particular. I thought and still do that learning about the Civil War is an excellent way for Americans to understand and appreciate our country and its ideals. Virtually every aspect of the Battle of Gettysburg has been studied in depth. The interested reader can explore the subject endlessly.
This recent book, "Gettysburg: Three Days that Saved the United States" offers a short photographic introduction to Gettysburg and its significance. Originally published in 2013 for the 150th anniversary of the battle, the book was edited and reissued in 2022. Ben Nussbaum edited the volume, which includes contributions from several scholars of the Civil War.
While it makes no claims to be exhaustive, the book offers a good overview of the combat. The military movements of the three-day battle are summarized in only a few pages. The remaining sections of the book also are short but provide supportive material over and above the fighting so that the reader may understand Gettysburg's significance. The book discusses the commanders, the troops, and the injuries and casualties of battle. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address receives a short but good discussion. Sections of the book deal with important individuals at the battle, such as Father Corby, Confederate General Jubal Early, and Amos Humiston. The book discusses briefly the history of the battlefield and its monuments. It includes discussion of places associated with the battle, such as Chambersburg, Williamsport, Carlisle, and Antietam. A short but important section discusses the 1913 Reunion at Gettysburg between soldiers from the North and South. The texts in each section are accompanied by good photographs together with annotations. A brief bibliography concludes the book.
Of course, not every reader will feel the need to explore the Battle of Gettysburg in depth. This short volume offers enough material to give the basics of the battle and to encourage reflection and thought. Ample material is available for those wanting to learn about Gettysburg in more detail. The book made me want to revisit Gettysburg and brought back the days when I studied the battle.. I was fortunate to find this book in my local public library and to have the opportunity to think again about Gettysburg and its history.
Robin Friedman
June 16, 2022
The first time I visited Gettysburg was a brief stop on a trip to NYC as a graduating high schooler. My next visit was after the movie Gettysburg came out and my entire family was transfixed by the events of the three days. We have always stayed in historical buildings and we never, ever have enough time to get our fill. It is a place that once it has you in its thrall, it will haunt you forever.
We are a family of history buffs. My husband likes the minutiae of the battles as does my son. I am more interested in the stories of the people. There is so much of both to be consumed on a visit. We have found the best way to get a real sense is to do the ranger walks. We actually joked that we had become “groupies” of one particular ranger whom we sought out every trip. So I am fascinated by books about the battle and eagerly embraced this new book..
This is a wonderful overview of the entire battle from the timelines to the cast of characters. There was nothing new that I learned in the early part of book but when the contributors went into some of the lesser known people and occurrence, new stories can to light.. It also has some myth busters on things that have become “true” with the telling and retelling. And it has some wonderful photos and pictures from the time as well as some from re-enactors who faithfully restage battles. They are an interesting and colourful lot.
With the anniversary upcoming of the battle, this is an excellent and visual book to add to your Gettysburg collection. Five purrs and two paws up.
We are a family of history buffs. My husband likes the minutiae of the battles as does my son. I am more interested in the stories of the people. There is so much of both to be consumed on a visit. We have found the best way to get a real sense is to do the ranger walks. We actually joked that we had become “groupies” of one particular ranger whom we sought out every trip. So I am fascinated by books about the battle and eagerly embraced this new book..
This is a wonderful overview of the entire battle from the timelines to the cast of characters. There was nothing new that I learned in the early part of book but when the contributors went into some of the lesser known people and occurrence, new stories can to light.. It also has some myth busters on things that have become “true” with the telling and retelling. And it has some wonderful photos and pictures from the time as well as some from re-enactors who faithfully restage battles. They are an interesting and colourful lot.
With the anniversary upcoming of the battle, this is an excellent and visual book to add to your Gettysburg collection. Five purrs and two paws up.
December 20, 2022
Excellent overview of the most pivotal battle of the Civil War. This can definitely be used as a teaching tool, as it is written in clear, concise language. It's not just dry details either. Some focus is placed on certain individuals and various other historical sites connected to the Gettysburg battle. Doing this gives a more human feel to the material presented. Definitely a worthwhile read. Thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for this ARC, which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 11, 2022
While I like the book, it reminds me more of a "coffee table " book. There are a few interesting parts. It also has recommendations for places to visit for those interested. As I live in one of the areas that played a role, and have visited all the others, I liked that they were added, along with some information on what they provide!
May 17, 2022
An interesting novel regarding the battle of Gettysburg during the civil war and how the outcome affected the civil war. A great read for the civil war enthusiast.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 30, 2022
Good historical account of the tragic Civil War. I recommend this to all Americans. Learning from our past is good for our future. I will keep this reference book on the shelf.
August 29, 2023
Very poor as the print was way to small for my Kindle.Looks like it may have been interesting
July 14, 2022
I was not a fan of this book. I thought that it may be a new take or a new book on the battle. Yet it was not. Most of the information I already knew, and parts of the book reminded me of watching a documentary about touring Gettysburg. Here this book is like that if you go to Gettysburg this would be an excellent book to have and would help you with the information that you are looking at. If you are looking for a book to describe each separate battles within the bigger battle this is not a book for you.
November 16, 2023
This is a fascinating combination of past and present. The discussion of Gettysburg battle gives you the chance to view the battle as I happened. It also permits the reader to comprehend the loss of life during those three days in July. The discussion then turns to the creation of the cemetery and then to the National battlefield. Great read for young and old.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews