Cushing of Gettysburg: The Story of a Union Artillery Commander [Hardcover]

Kent Masterson Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1993

" Kent Brown's stunning account of the career of Lt. Alonzo Hereford Cushing offers valuable insights into the nature of the Civil War and the men who fought it. Brown's vivid descriptions of the heat and exhaustion of forced marches, of the fury of battle, have seldom been matched in Civil War literature.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Barely two years after he graduated from West Point, Capt. Alonzo Cushing's life and military career ended at Gettysburg in the defense of Cemetery Ridge against Pickett's Charge. The self-sacrifice of the youthful Cushing's final acts secured his enduring fame as a tragic hero of the Civil War, but his short life, so abruptly ended, provides only modest raw material for his biographer, who founded The Civil War magazine and is chair of the Gettysburg National Military Park Advisory Commission. Not surprisingly, Brown's well-documented effort is as much a study of Cushing's family history and the Army of the Potomac's early campaigns as it is of Cushing himself. However, this fine piece of Civil War scholarship is the first full-length narrative of Cushing's life. Essential for all libraries with an interest in the Battle of Gettysburg.
- Lawrence E. Ellis, Newberry Coll., S.C.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Cushing is the most famous lieutenant killed during the entire Civil War, and few who stop at Gettysburg fail to hear of the boy who died behind the wheel of his last gun as Pickett's Virginians surged by." -- Blue & Gray Magazine

"Vivid descriptions, accurate maps, an inside view of battle strategy from the officers' tents and finally the horror of the battles are provided in generous but readable portions." -- Bourbon (Paris, KY) Times

"Extraordinarily gripping. This book will remain current as long as interest in the Civil War remains alive." -- Charles P. Roland

"A beautifully written and researched biography of a young officer who lost his life defending Cemetery Ridge against the famous Confederate assault on July 16, 1863." -- Civil War

"Brown successfully addresses how the Civil War transformed ethnic relationships in nineteenth-century America and redefined what it meant to be an American." -- Civil War Regiments

"A touching and illuminating account of a brief, heroic life." -- Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

"Brown is a good story teller, which is especially evident in the poignant opening chapter describing Cushing's West Point funeral." -- Society of Civil War Historians Newsletter

"This biography of artillery officer Alonzo Hereford Cushing reads like a Greek tragedy." -- Southern Seen

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 330 pages
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Kentucky; 1St Edition edition (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813118379
• ISBN-13: 978-0813118376
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,257,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly enjoyable biography, April 10, 1998

By 

Aussie Reader ""Rick"" (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cushing of Gettysburg: The Story of a Union Artillery Commander (Hardcover)

Before I read this book I had no idea who Lt. Alonzo Cushing was or what he did. This very enjoyable book provided a detailed insight into the life of Cushing as a cadet and through the Civil War until he met his death beside his cannons at Gettysburg. The author provides vivid descriptions of the life of a Union soldier during the war and the terrible battles that they fought. A very engrossing and enjoyable book. Recommended for anyone who likes a good read about mans courage during difficult times.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He died bravely., June 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Cushing of Gettysburg: The Story of a Union Artillery Commander (Paperback)

If you visit the Gettysburg battlefield, pause at The Angle and spend a moment beside the monument to Cushing and his men. You will be standing on the very spot described in Brown's gripping account of the battle. Cushing was a distant relative of mine, which makes this book special to me.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Hero., June 21, 2010

By 

Steven J. Negri - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cushing of Gettysburg: The Story of a Union Artillery Commander (Paperback)

This is a marvelous story, by Kent Brown. Cushing is now a recipient of the Medal of Honor, although over one hundred years to late. The book is a glowing account of the young Cushings service to this country, and his grat heroism, at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. Although wounded, he never left his gun section, where he will die, before Armisteds men reach his battery. The book represents a life experience, during our War Between The States. A must reading for the Gettysburg student, or our Civil War in general.