Gettysburg : The Last Invasion

English language

Published May 14, 2013

ISBN:: 978-0-307-59408-2

(2 reviews)

Gettysburg: The Last Invasion is a 2013 military history non-fiction book by American author Allen Guelzo. American historian George C. Rable, writing in the journal Civil War History, reviewed the book favorably, concluding that "this finely wrought volume immediately joins the short list of Gettysburg classics, and I suspect for a good number of readers may attain the number one position," though he noted that "Those unfamiliar with the general outlines of the engagement may have occasional trouble following the story". In The Wall Street Journal Thomas M. Donelly considered the book "wonderful", particularly noting its coverage of John Reynolds' role and restoring perspective on the battle for Little Round Top. A review in NPR written by Stu Seidel called the book a "determinedly fair chronicle" but also considered it "exhaustive, sometimes to the point of exhausting", concluding that the book "goes a long way to leveling the battlefield for …

Gettysburg: The Last Invasion is a 2013 military history non-fiction book by American author Allen Guelzo. American historian George C. Rable, writing in the journal Civil War History, reviewed the book favorably, concluding that "this finely wrought volume immediately joins the short list of Gettysburg classics, and I suspect for a good number of readers may attain the number one position," though he noted that "Those unfamiliar with the general outlines of the engagement may have occasional trouble following the story". In The Wall Street Journal Thomas M. Donelly considered the book "wonderful", particularly noting its coverage of John Reynolds' role and restoring perspective on the battle for Little Round Top. A review in NPR written by Stu Seidel called the book a "determinedly fair chronicle" but also considered it "exhaustive, sometimes to the point of exhausting", concluding that the book "goes a long way to leveling the battlefield for all concerned, and makes for an invaluable addition to any American history reader's library".

1 edition

markm reviewed Gettysburg : The Last Invasion by Allen C. Guelzo

Review of 'Gettysburg : The Last Invasion' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

An excellent history of the battle of Gettysburg. Does a good job with most necessary background information. Seemed very good on the effect of the various commanders' political associations. Also good on the various arguments in the years after the war and how opinions have changed. Covered some things in welcome detail, e.g. the kidnapping of free Blacks in Pennsylvania by Lee's advancing army and the myth of their restraint from pilferage, that I have seen ignored elsewhere. Had an interesting comment about an impromptu speech that Lincoln gave prior to writing the Gettysburg address that contained several of the same thematic elements. I always have to remind myself about the regimental system of the time, so if they say the 2nd Delaware Cavalry, I know about how big a unit that was and who would have been commanding it - I recommend the Wikipedia page entitled "Infantry in the …

An excellent history of the battle of Gettysburg. Does a good job with most necessary background information. Seemed very good on the effect of the various commanders' political associations. Also good on the various arguments in the years after the war and how opinions have changed. Covered some things in welcome detail, e.g. the kidnapping of free Blacks in Pennsylvania by Lee's advancing army and the myth of their restraint from pilferage, that I have seen ignored elsewhere. Had an interesting comment about an impromptu speech that Lincoln gave prior to writing the Gettysburg address that contained several of the same thematic elements. I always have to remind myself about the regimental system of the time, so if they say the 2nd Delaware Cavalry, I know about how big a unit that was and who would have been commanding it - I recommend the Wikipedia page entitled "Infantry in the American Civil War".

Rick Rupp

rated it

June 22, 2015