Eleven Civil War bloggers posted their Top 10 Gettysburg Books at their blogs from June 30 to July 5, 2009. The complete list of bloggers is at the link provided in the prior sentence. These eleven bloggers ended up choosing 60(!) different Gettysburg books. I tallied up the results, awarding 10 points for a first place vote, 1 point for a tenth place vote, and 5.5 points for books in unordered lists. The final combined results, with total points, first place votes, selected comments from the bloggers, and links to each book at Amazon.com, are as follows:
1. The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command
by Edwin Coddington
60 points (4 1st place votes)
Eric Wittenberg, Rantings of a Civil War Historian: “This book is the bible for any serious student of the campaign. The treatment of the retreat is a little weak, only because Prof. Coddington died before it could be completed, and someone else had to finish the work.”
Brett Schulte, TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog: “Despite Gettysburg Campaign studies in recent years from Stephen Sears and Noah Andre Trudeau, I still think the very best look at the Gettysburg Campaign is Edwin B. Coddington’s classic The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command. Some have criticized Coddington for his tendency to favor the Federals and to denigrate Confederate First Corps commander James Longstreet, but his overall look at Gettysburg has not yet been eclipsed.”
Nick Kurtz, Battlefield Wanderings: “This is the classic book on the battle. Recently Stephen Sears and Noah Andre Trudeau have done very good books but its hard to knock Coddington off his perch. I didn’t put Sears or Trudeau on the top 10 because I didn’t want to have the list clogged with similar books. If I had made my criteria only the top 10, regardless of similarity then I think Sears and Trudeau would have made the list.”
John Hoptak, Civil War Musgins: “Next up is the standard, or mainstay work on Gettysburg by Edwin Coddington. No real explanation necessary.”
2. Gettysburg: The Second Day
by Harry W. Pfanz
40.33 points (0)
Brett Schulte, TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog: “Harry Pfanz has also written books on the first day’s fighting and that which occurred on Culp’s Hill and Cemetery Hill on July 1-3. I have selected his book on the July 2 struggle from Round Top to Cemetery Ridge as the best of his detailed tactical studies of the battle of Gettysburg. All of these books are loaded with detailed maps and tactical discussions. Curiously, Pfanz never did day three, though there may be a good reason for this. For Day 3, you might wish to check out Jeffry Wert’s book Gettysburg, Day Three.”
Eric Wittenberg, Rantings of a Civil War Historian: “A truly magnificent book that provides the sort of detailed study of Longstreet’s assault on the second day that I crave. This book is a must-have for the library of any serious student of the campaign.”
John Hoptak, Civil War Musings: “For the best account of a single day’s action at Gettysburg, I have to go with Harry Pfanz’s landmark Gettysburg: The Second Day, just an excellent all-around book.”
Chris Wehner, Blog 4 History: “This was, of course, a monumental work and as John Hoptak noted a “landmark” book that has to be on the shelf of every Civil War enthusiast. He also covers a little about my ancestor, Charles H. Weygant of the 124th NY.”
3. Retreat from Gettysburg: Lee, Logistics, and the Pennsylvania Campaign
by Kent Masterson Brown
28 points (0)
Craig Swain, To the Sound of the Guns: “Brown’s work cuts new ground in two ways. First we finally learn Pickett’s Charge was not the end of the campaign. Second, there were many more considerations for the Confederate retreat than just getting soldiers across the Potomac. If you follow Brown’s logic, Lee actually “won” Gettysburg to a degree by securing enough supplies to support the Army of Northern Virginia through the end of 1863. Certainly a unique way to look at things. Regardless of how one receives that supposition, Brown’s study of logistics during the campaign is the best handling of such that any has produced.”
Rea Andrew Redd, Civil War Librarian: “Brown handles tactics and logistics quite well and offers sound insights into Lee’s and Meade’s leadership and the ability of their endure a rigorous and deadly campaign.”
Brett Schulte, TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog: “Amazingly, Brown’s book, first published in 2005, was the first book-length account of the retreat from Gettysburg. I say amazingly given the extreme saturation of the market with regards to Gettysburg books. As the subtitle mentions, Brown looks at the retreat with a great deal of time and energy spent on logistics. He believes Lee did not necessarily need a battle to happen to make the campaign a success. Instead, says Brown, the Southern commander simply wanted to live off of Northern land for awhile to give Virginia a break. Brown’s book has a decidedly Confederate focus. For a detailed and balanced look at the fighting during the retreat, I recommend One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863.”
Nick Kurtz, Battlefield Wanderings: “We’ve also been treated to a couple of books on the retreat from Gettysburg after it being widely ignored. I haven’t read the book done by Wittenberg, Petruzzi and Nugent but have heard it is good too. One day I’ll read it but for now I’ll include Brown’s on my list.”
4 (tie). Gettysburg: A Journey in Time
by William A. Frassanito
24.5 points (0)
Nick Kurtz, Battlefield Wanderings: “At first I thought this seemed pretty high to have a picture book, but its become a classic. I cannot think of any other picture book I’d put in the top 10 at all. David J. Eicher’s “Gettysburg Battlefield” was good, but has its own issues/irregularities that I can’t rate it in the top 10.”
John Hoptak, Civil War Musings: “And, of course, so is Gettysburg: A Journey in Time [a good selection to include in a Top 10 Gettysbug list], by William Frassanito, which was also one of the very first books I read on the battle.”
Mark Grimsley, Civil Warriors: “Not sure when I came across this, but surely it was during my salad days. An extraordinary study of the Gettysburg photographic evidence base. I never again saw historical photos as mere illustrations, but rather as documents. Plus it was wicked cool to learn how photographers dragged around corpses to compose the images they sought.”
4 (tie). The Killer Angels
By Michael Shaara
24.5 points (0)
Ethan Rafuse, Civil Warriors: “In addition to being a great read, The Killer Angels is an essential work for understanding, if not the battle (although it is pretty good in that respect), why it is so much easier to find a t-shirt or print of a certain Maine colonel than it is to find one of the commander of the Army of the Potomac, or why there are so many more people visiting Little Round Top than Culp’s Hill.”
Mark Grimsley, Civil Warriors: “Encountered the novel at age 15. Totally captivating. Would have devoured it in a single sitting were it not for school, chores, etc. Even then I could see some historical inaccuracies (the presence of a slave recently imported from Africa — WTF? — and the idea that “there is no good ground south of here” — there’s loads of good ground south of Gettysburg), but The Killer Angels formed my introduction to Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and challenged my pre-conceptions about James Longstreet. And Shaara’s taut prose style taught me a lot about good writing. Still a very good introduction to the battle — the Army War College’s Center for Strategic Leadership assigns it as preparatory reading for strategic leadership staff rides. But one should also read the antidote, D. Scott Hartwig’s excellent A Killer Angel’s Companion (1996)”
Chris Wehner, Blog 4 History: “[It] has to be on any list. It was my first introduction to the Civil War in High School.”
By David G. Martin
22 points (0)
Eric Wittenberg, Rantings of a Civil War Historian: “I’m a first day guy. It’s by far my favorite part of the battle. An incredible research resource, this was the first detailed study dedicated entirely to the first day of the battle. It can be tough to read, but it’s worth the effort.”
Craig Swain, To the Sound of the Guns: “I could mention at least three other works here for the first day’s fighting, but I think Martin covers the topic in more detail and with better maps. Martin’s approach takes the reader through brigades and regiments, linking their activities into the larger flow of the battle. And if the account of the day’s fighting is not enough, the appendices are equally outstanding. Every student of the battle should at least read the topographical and meteorological notes found there.”
Brett Schulte, TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog: “I went back and forth on whether to include this title in my Top 10 Gettysburg Books list, but in the end the positives outweighed the negatives. Martin’s book to me is a better representation of the July 1 fighting at Gettysburg than Harry Pfanz’ similarly titled book. I wanted to include a book on the first day’s fighting, so this by default was it. Martin’s book, especially the first edition, suffered from numerous typos and errors of fact, so much so that the book has been panned in many circles. Get the latest edition of the book that you can (the Amazon link above leads to the paperback version), and you will not be disappointed with this one.”
7. Pickett’s Charge in History and Memory
By Carol Reardon
20 points (0)
Ethan Rafuse, Civil Warriors: “Carol Reardon’s book on Pickett’s Charge is a no-brainer, as it is one of the best books on any Civil War topic to appear in the past few decades (as evidenced by the legion of folks–yours truly included–who have jumped on the history and memory bandwagon since it appeared).”
Chris Wehner, Blog 4 History: “[A] fascinating book on the battle’s most controversial and important event.”
Harry Smeltzer, Bull Runnings: “Influential memory study.”
8. Plenty of Blame to Go Around: Jeb Stuart’s Controversial Ride to Gettysburg
By Eric Wittenberg and J. David Petruzzi
18 points (0)
Craig Swain, To the Sound of the Guns: “The two previously mentioned works cover General J.E.B. Stuart’s movements in parts, but not to the depth that a student of cavalry would be satisfied with. Wittenberg and Petruzzi resolve that gap, in my opinion. The authors take on a subject that far too many historians, in my opinion, had oversimplified or ignored. They directly confront many of the old beliefs regarding Stuart’s ride and in doing so breath life back into the debate! I particularly like style of presenting the material, accounts, and details first, then offering conclusions.”
Brett Schulte, TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog: “Wittenberg and Petruzzi have written what I believe to be the best book yet on Stuart’s adventures in Pennsylvania. The authors and fellow bloggers tapped a large number of previously unused primary sources for the book. The result is a detailed look at Stuart’s Ride which does not get caught up in the blame game so prevalent in secondary sources. It also covers in great tactical detail the cavalry engagements which resulted from the ride. If you can only afford one book on the subject, this one is it.”
9. Pickett’s Charge: The Last Attack at Gettysburg
By Earl J. Hess
16 points (0)
Mark Grimsley, Civil Warriors: “The best study of the engagement by one of the best Civil War military historians. Carol Reardon’s Pickett’s Charge in History and Memory (1997) is excellent, as Ethan rightly notes, but deals only in part with the attack itself, and had less impact on me than it might have done otherwise because I had elsewhere received my introduction to public memory.”
Brett Schulte, TOCWOC – A Civil War Blog: “Hess’ book is a detailed tactical look at, and to me the best book on Pickett’s Charge, topping George Stewart’s classic look at the July 3 fight for the Union center. Hess gives the point of view of both sides, moving back and forth and producing a wonderfully researched look at this climactic moment of the most famous battle of the war.”
10. Gettysburg
By Stephen Sears
14 points (0)
Ethan Rafuse, Civil Warriors: “I would naturally have someone begin their studies with one of the single-volume histories. Stephen Sears’s is at the top of the list for the general reader (although for someone who blanches at its heft or needs more pictures, I might substitute Steve Woodworth’s short history or Craig Symonds’s American Heritage history).”
John Hoptak, Civil War Musings: “There are many overview books on the campaign and battle and picking from among them was tough, but I settled upon Sears’s work as a good narrative, suitable for both the casual reader and the more serious student of the war.”
Chris Wehner, Blog 4 History: “[H]is reading style is very accessible. I thought he handled Meade and Lee fairly, but really this book is a favorite as I enjoy his writing style. Gettysburg books can be very convoluted as it was indeed a massive battle.”
*****
Note: In addition to the Top 10, there were 50 more books which appeared on the various Civil War bloggers’ lists. I am listing these books here with the rank, title, author, and a link to buy at Amazon.com without the various comments by the bloggers. If you would like to see these expanded with blogger comments, use the Contact Us form or comment below. I may be willing to flesh these out later depending on time available.
11 (tie). Regimental Strengths and Losses at Gettysburg
By John W. Busey and David G. Martin
13.5 points (0)
11 (tie). The Gettysburg Nobody Knows
B y Gabor S. Boritt
13.5 points (0)
13. The First Day at Gettysburg: Essays on Confederate and Leadership
Gary W. Gallagher (ed.)
13.17 points (0)
14. Gettysburg Day Two: A Study in Maps
By John Imhof
11.5 points (0)
15 (tie). “A Strange and Blighted Land” Gettysburg, The Aftermath of Battle
By Gregory Coco
11 points (0)
15 (tie). Gettysburg: A Battlefield Guide
By Mark Grimsley and Brooks Simpson
11 points (0)
15 (tie). The Bachelder Papers
By John Bachelder
11 points (0)
15 (tie). The Generals of Gettysburg
By Larry Tagg
11 points (0)
By Harry W. Pfanz
10.83 points (0)
20. The Complete Gettysburg Guide
By J.D. Petruzzi and Steven Stanley
10.5 points (0)
21 (tie). Here Come the Rebels
By Wilbur S. Nye
10 points (1 first place vote)
21 (tie). The Battle of Gettysburg
By Bruce Catton
10 points (1 first place vote)
21 (tie). Those Damned Black Hats: The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign
By Lance J. Herdegen
10 points (1 first place vote)
21 (tie). The U.S. Army War College Guide to the Battle of Gettysburg
By Jay Luvaas and Harold W. Nelson
10 points (0)
By Jeffry D. Wert
9.5 points (NOTE: Since a first place vote garners by definition 10 points, all books from this point forward will not show the number of first place votes in parentheses.)
By John W. Schildt
9 points
27 (tie). The Second Day at Gettysburg: Essays on Union and Confederate Leadership
Edited by Gary W. Gallagher
8.17 points
27 (tie). The Third Day at Gettysburg and Beyond
Edited by Gary W. Gallagher
8.17 points
29 (tie). The Maps of Gettysburg: The Gettysburg Campaign, June 3 – July 13, 1863
By Bradley M. Gottfried
8 points
By Edward G. Longacre
8 points
31. Pickett’s Charge: A Microhistory of the Final Attack at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863
By George Stewart
6.5 points
32 (tie). Devil’s Den: A History and Guide
Garry E. Adleman and Timothy H. Smith
6 points
32 (tie). Haskell of Gettysburg: His Life and Civil War Papers
Edited by Frank L. Byrne and Andrew T. Weaver
6 points
32 (tie). Morning at Willoughby Run, July 1, 1863
By Richard Shue
6 points
35. Gettysburg: Culp’s Hill and Cemetery Hill
By Harry W. Pfanz
5.83 points
36 (tie). “Fighting Them Over”: How the Veterans Remembered Gettysburg in the Pages of the National Tribune
By Richard Sauers
5.5 points
36 (tie). “Grappling with Death”: The Union Second Corps Hospital at Gettysburg
By Roland Maust
5.5 points
36 (tie). “Like Ripe Apples in a Storm”: The 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers at Gettysburg
By Michael Dreese
5.5 points
By Gregory Coco
5.5 points
36 (tie). Gettysburg Sketches
By Frederic Ray
5.5 points
36 (tie). Gettysburg: The Meade-Sickles Controversy
By Richard Sauers
5.5 points
36 (tie). Gettysburg’s Bloody Wheatfield
By Jay Jorgensen
5.5 points
36 (tie). The Attack and Defense of Little Round Top, Gettysburg, July 2, 1863
By Olver W. Norton
5.5 points
36 (tie). Brigades of Gettysburg: The Union and Confederate Brigades at the Battle of Gettysburg
By Bradley M. Gottfried
5.5 points
36 (tie). The Union Generals Speak: The Meade Hearings on the Battle of Gettysburg
Edited by Bill Hyde
5.5 points
36 (tie). These Honored Dead: How the Story of Gettysburg Shaped American Memory
By Thomas Desjardin
5.5 points
36 (tie). This Is Holy Ground: A History of the Gettysburg Battlefield
By Barbara Platt
5.5 points
48. Covered with Glory: The 26th North Carolina Infantry at the Battle of Gettysburg
By Rod Gragg
5 points
By Donald W. McLaughlin
4 points
49 (tie). Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage
By Noah Andre Trudeau
4 points
49 (tie). In the Bloody Railroad Cut at Gettysburg
By Lance J. Herdegen and William J.K. Beaudot
4 points
52 (tie). Flames Beyond Gettysburg: The Gordon Expedition
By Scott L. Mingus, Sr.
3 points
52 (tie). Lee’s Real Plan at Gettysburg
By Troy D. Harman
3 points
52 (tie). Silent Sentinels: A Reference Guide to the Artillery at Gettysburg
By George Newton
3 points
55 (tie). Gettysburg: Memory, Market, and an American Shrine
By Jim Weeks
2 points
55 (tie). Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America
By Garry Willis
2 points
55 (tie). Small Arms at Gettysburg: Infantry and Cavalry Weapons in America’s Greatest Battle
By Joseph Bilby
2 points
58 (tie). Gettysburg, Then & Now: Touring the Battlefield with Old Photos
By William A. Frassanito
1 point
58 (tie). The Colors of Courage: Immigrants, Women, and African Americans in the Civil War’s Defining Battle
By Margaret S. Creighton
1 point
58 (tie). When War Passed This Way
By W.P. Conrad and Ted Alexander
1 point
Check out Brett’s list of the Top 10 Civil War Blogs!
Check out Beyond the Crater: The Petersburg Campaign Online for the latest on the Siege of Petersburg!
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