Post by rebcav on Jul 22, 2015 2:12:51 GMT
So as requested, I'm posting a review of "Gettysburg" by Steven W. Sears. It's been a while since I've written a book report, but here goes.
I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this work. I've read other works on the Battle of Gettysburg by many other authors, but I really enjoyed this particular version. Mr. Sears starts out immediately after the Battle of Chancellorsville, and expertly lays out the political and strategic picture in late May 1863 and does a better job than most explaining why certain moves were made. Once THE Army of Northern Virginia was on the march, Mr. Sears transitions from strategy to march order and field environs with seamless effort. The reader is ON THE MARCH with the Army of Northern Virginia AND the Army of the Potomac as they merge towards those fateful three days in July, 1863.
It is when the battle is joined however, that Mr. Sears' true writing ability really shines. In some manner, for the first time I saw the events of the First Day as a SERIES of events happening right after another instead of a series of remote disjointed skirmishes that somehow led to a giant battle. Any reader is BOUND to gain a better understanding of those crucial first hours of the "meeting engagement" that became a turning point in the War in the East and in American History.
Whether it is General Lee's morning conference of 02 July or General Meade's conference the night of 01 July, or General Barksdale's charge on Day 2 or General Hancock's defense of the Federal Center on Day Three, Mr. Sears puts you the reader THERE......
Do yourself a favor and give this a read......
Duane
P.S. The new site is looking AWESOME!!!!!!! WAY COOL discussion ideas....I need to do some homework....
