What do you think?
Rate this book
Towards Gettysburg: A Biography of General John F. Reynolds
Book by Nichols, Edward J.
- GenresCivil War
276 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
2 people are currently reading
11 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 1, 2025
Toward Gettysburg: A Biography of General John F. Reynolds by Edward J. Nichols is a comprehensive biographical book. Nichols covers Reynolds’s life from his youth, his time at West Point, his service in the Mexican War, up to his untimely death at the opening of the Battle of Gettysburg. It’s not a “Battle of Gettysburg book,” but a well researched and comprehensive biography of a steady, courageous, modest, well-liked, professional soldier and one of the Union’s most competent generals. This book is very well written. It is the perfect length for a biography of this nature. This is a fantastic biography for a noble man like John Reynolds.
There were many soldiers wrote about Reyolds and his character. Colonel Fred Hitchcock said, "Had he chosen to do so, he could have given me orders as the senior officer present, but with a gentle courtesy he accomplished his purpose without that, and to reassure me, gave his name and rank in this delicate way. I shall never forget his pleasant smile as he returned my salute. (p.144)" A subordinate wrote, " His death affected us much, for he was one of the soldier generals of the army (p.207)." Reyolds was tough and demanding when he needed to be but could be kind and compassionate when it was right.
Throught the book, Edward Nichols offers context to why Reynolds was where he was, and how he became the man that would lead much of the army. Edward Nichols weaves John F. Reynolds’ own words into the narrative, using the letters Reynolds wrote to his family as a central thread. These personal writings offer glimpses into Reynolds’ frustrations, thoughts, worries, and plans. These letters allow Nichols to tell the story with a more intimate perspective. Through these letters, the reader sees not just a military leader, but a son and brother whose private reflections add depth and humanity to the events unfolding around him.
Nichols uses John's letters to his family that describe how he missed his family and cared about them. John always seemed to keep his family updated on his movement and what happened in battle. John wrote, "You are no doubt anxious to hear from me since the events of the past few days... (p.155)" John's letters also voiced his frustrations about not being in the fight. Reyolds was a soldier and wanted to be involved. He was frustrated when his leadership or his men were not utilized properly. John also wrote about how he missed his family. He often talked about his brother in the Navy and his siblings who moved away.
I don't know what can be said about Major General John F. Reynolds that has not been said before. Reyolds is ingrained in our memory as one of the Union’s finest examples of courage, integrity, and quiet devotion to duty. Reynolds was a great general, however underappreciated and underutilized. This book solidified for me the man and soldier that Reyolds was. His military career and life was cut short at Gettysburg. I wonder what the war would have looked like if he had survived.
I hope this review is not too long and rambling. This is just how my thoughts on the book and Major General John F Reynolds came out.
There were many soldiers wrote about Reyolds and his character. Colonel Fred Hitchcock said, "Had he chosen to do so, he could have given me orders as the senior officer present, but with a gentle courtesy he accomplished his purpose without that, and to reassure me, gave his name and rank in this delicate way. I shall never forget his pleasant smile as he returned my salute. (p.144)" A subordinate wrote, " His death affected us much, for he was one of the soldier generals of the army (p.207)." Reyolds was tough and demanding when he needed to be but could be kind and compassionate when it was right.
Throught the book, Edward Nichols offers context to why Reynolds was where he was, and how he became the man that would lead much of the army. Edward Nichols weaves John F. Reynolds’ own words into the narrative, using the letters Reynolds wrote to his family as a central thread. These personal writings offer glimpses into Reynolds’ frustrations, thoughts, worries, and plans. These letters allow Nichols to tell the story with a more intimate perspective. Through these letters, the reader sees not just a military leader, but a son and brother whose private reflections add depth and humanity to the events unfolding around him.
Nichols uses John's letters to his family that describe how he missed his family and cared about them. John always seemed to keep his family updated on his movement and what happened in battle. John wrote, "You are no doubt anxious to hear from me since the events of the past few days... (p.155)" John's letters also voiced his frustrations about not being in the fight. Reyolds was a soldier and wanted to be involved. He was frustrated when his leadership or his men were not utilized properly. John also wrote about how he missed his family. He often talked about his brother in the Navy and his siblings who moved away.
I don't know what can be said about Major General John F. Reynolds that has not been said before. Reyolds is ingrained in our memory as one of the Union’s finest examples of courage, integrity, and quiet devotion to duty. Reynolds was a great general, however underappreciated and underutilized. This book solidified for me the man and soldier that Reyolds was. His military career and life was cut short at Gettysburg. I wonder what the war would have looked like if he had survived.
I hope this review is not too long and rambling. This is just how my thoughts on the book and Major General John F Reynolds came out.
December 15, 2017
A good biography, one can tell the author admires and respects General Reynolds, who took on an unenviable task in crafting a biography around a notably taciturn person. He succeeds in recounting General Reynolds' life and including primary sources however one can't feel that one actually gets to know the man. But this isn't a fault on the author, I suspect there is little in anecdotes about Reynolds that have survived, they would have greatly helped.
November 17, 2011
Best Civil War Biography I've ever read although I'm partial because there aren't many biography's on General John Reynolds. Great book though!
May 20, 2013
Excellent biography of one of the most respected of all Union generals, aided immeasurably by the use of his private letters (from a relative; Reynolds never married and was killed at Gettysburg).
August 14, 2013
If you like Civil War history its a very good addition.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews