Customer Reviews

Gettysburg--The Second Day

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To understand the importance of the second day's battle at Gettysburg, one only has to look at the names of the men and places involved. The men were names like Chamberlain, Hood, Vincent, Zook, O'Rorke and Hancock. The places were The Wheatfield, Peach Orchard, Devil's Den and Little Round Top. Even 140 years later the average person on the street knows what Little Round Top is, even if they don't know much else about Gettysburg.

Harry Pfanz's Gettysburg the Second Day is a must have for anyone seriously interested in understand what happen in Gettysburg on July 2nd. It covers Longstreet's assault against the southern flank of the Union army using two of his divisions commanded by Hood and McLaws (Pickett was as yet not on the field with his division). Pfanz does a really nice job with the Xs and Os of the battle. He especially does nice work with the Wheatfield which is perhaps the most confusing section of the entire battle of Gettysburg. No other book I think explains what happened there better than this one.

Pfanz without question knows Gettysburg better than anyone around. He spent 20 years as the head NPS historian at the park so he knows from what he speaks.

As a side note, this book does not cover the fighting on the Union right flank on the second day but concentrates on Longstreet's assault on the Union left. To learn about the events on the other end you should read Harry Pfanz's book on Culp's Hill and East Cemetery Hill which covers the actions on those hills during the entire 3 day battle.

This book covers the fighting on the southern edge of the battlefield from 4PM till dark. Now you might look at the size of this work and think overkill, but I wish to assure you that it is not the case. This is and in-depth study of the most crucial (in my opinion) part of the battle. If you want to be an expert on this part of the battle, please read this. One problem might be the constant bio's of each major figure when they are first introduced.

To understand this work, you must realize that Pfanz was the chief historian at Gettysburg NMP and the Park Service for many years. So he REALLY knows his history regarding Gettysburg! The book primarily covers Longstreet's attack on Day 2. This was intentional, as Pfanz wrote a separate book covering Cemetry Hill and Culp's Hill. The details in the book are amazing, especially if you go on-site to find the places he describes in such vivid detail. Pfanz also challenges some near-sacred beliefs about certain individuals (e.g., he presents evidence that Chamberlain did not order his charge and, in fact, at first tried to stop it). Pfanz presents the evidence, pro and con - then leaves it up to the reader to decide. So, to those with preconceived ideas, this book may "ruffle some feathers". One shortcoming was the lack of more maps. As one who likes to use a book while actually on-site, I found his maps excellent, but too few in number. If you have not read this book, you have much to learn about Gettysburg. Buy it...it's superb!

Harry Pfanz, former historian at the Gettysburg National Military Park and former Chief Historian of the National Park Service has written what will be the classic account of the pivotal day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Relying heavily on primary sources, many never before used, Pfanz takes the reader through the planning of the day's combat, the climax of the Confederate assault on July 2,1863, and the day's aftermath. While Pfanz's history is flawless, what makes this book so good is his attention to detail and the inclusion of human interest stories which are both relevant and fascinating. While this book will be most appreciated by Civil War buffs, it is sure to interest all looking for a great historical yarn!

I had studied Coddington and walked the battlefield many times for many hours, and I had convinced myself that I knew a little bit about the Second Day at Gettysburg - until I started in on Pfanz's work. If you think that you are acquainted with the events on July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg, and you haven't read Pfanz (former historian at the Gettysburg National Military Park and former Chief Historian of the National Park Service) - get ready for an education. True to the reviews, there does not appear to be anything of significance - from our remote perspective in time - that can be known about this three hours of fighting (on the south end of the battlefield - Pfanz by design does not deal with the fighting at Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill on this day) that Pfanz has not exhausted in his research. What appears to be a tome at first contact is actually a fast-paced story well told, with excellent maps (the usual complaint, there should be more) and thoughtful analysis, based upon a depth of knowledge and first rate research. Probably not recommended for the casual reader, but for the serious ACW "buff", it doesn't get any better than this. What Longstreet described as the best three hours of fighting done by any army, anywhere, is given its due by Pfanz. If you have admired some of Don Troiani's works from this battle ("The Men must see us Today", "Saving the Flag", "Barksdale's Charge", "Don't Give an Inch", "Lions of the Roundtop", etc.) and would like to know more of the historical behind the artistic - this is your reference. Detailed analysis of strategy is not Pfanz's aim (or possibly his forte). In the end, one wonders whether, in the fog of war, there really was much more to it than "the enemy is there and that is where we will fight him". Lee certainly understood very well (unlike most of his Federal counterparts - hence his successes) that no grand strategy could survive contact with the enemy. It would be up to the Corps, Division and Regimental commanders to make tactical decisions real time once the Army's orders were issued and troops were put in motion. Where Pfaniz excels is what happened once the soldiers were put in motion.

The Greatest 3 hours of fighting during the Civil War
Harry Pfanz's outstanding Gettysburg-The Second Day is the definitive study of that day's pivotal 3 hours of continuous battle on the Union's tenuous left flank. In 3 bloody hours the Confederates lost 6000 men while the Union had 9000 casualties: 15,000 men or approximately 83 soldiers a minute were killed, wounded, or simply became missing. The din of battle was breathtaking, and the smoke so fierce that at times the men found it hard to breath must less see. As General Longstreet said, his corps's assault of 2 July was the "best three hours' fighting ever done by any troops on any battle-field". It was simply a field of valor strew with carnage. Those that survived were never forget, and those that died so gloriously would never be forgotten. Death was like a shadow that stalked everyman until the sun went down.
Harry Pfanz expertly followed the battle at the regiment level through the eyes and ears of the commanders and basic soldiers of both sides. Like his Gettysburg-The First day, his description of events although superb were a little out of order for ease of understanding how the actual battle flowed. A few more maps would have really helped. I strongly recommend the reader use Bradley Gottfried's The Maps of Gettysburg as an additional aid to help with the Order of Battle. I still don't know why most civil war historians do not include time stamps on their maps. A time stamp on each map would greatly aid in following the flow of battle. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Pfanz's little vignettes about both the major and minor participants. The strategically placed individual's photographs also made the battle more personal. All in all an extremely well done portrayal of the second day of battle of Gettysburg. Be forewarned that this history ONLY covers the 3 hour battle on the Union's left flank.
A must read for Civil War history buffs. Might be a little over the top for the casual Civil War reader but worth the effort. A superb book in all respects.

If you are curious enough (and backgrounded enough) to want to know exactly what happened in the fighting south of Gettysburg on 2 July 1863, this book is probably as good as it gets. The author cogently and honestly presents the best possible story that emerges from the existing record. When information is missing, the author concedes it, even identifying the gaps. Where the records is dubious, he notes as much and explains why. He offers clearly identified, rational conjecture only to fill in some of the gaps.

This is a detailed account that the casual reader may find too detailed. But if you already know the story of the bigger battle, read this this to understand as well as possible what happened on Day 2 in the southern half of the battle. This book represents a powerful and rare combination of long and hard research with well-written narrative.

I have been reading about Gettysburg for about thirty years and visiting the battlefield for about 15 years. This book boosted my knowledge of the battle and the nature of the war more than I imagined possible. If you want more mythology, or sweeping critical assessment of the key players, go somewhere else. In this book, thanks to Pfanz, the actual record has its say.

Gettysburg--The Second Day is the first and longest in a series of three volumes written by Harry Pfanz, former Chief historian of the NPS. Quite extensively researched Harry Pfanz takes us step by step through the preparations and fighting on the southern end of the of the battlefield to encompass the areas known as Little Round Top, The Wheatfield, and the Peach Orchard. This work does not deal with events of the second day in the area of Culp's or Cemetery Hill which is dealt with in volume two of the series.

The work is not for the casual reader of Gettysburg books, or for those not knowledgeable of terrain features or minor place names. It is written is a formal style and can be and often is a difficult read. The reader will find himself having to read over many passages to fully comprehend the narrative as the writing tends or ramble and thoughts do not always get connected.

This book seems not place the emphasis where it should be. Over ninety pages are dedicated to the events of the Peach Orchard and the assault on Cemetery ridge, sixty to the Wheatfield area and only forty to the most critical area of fighting, that being Little Round Top and surrounding areas. This I feel is a major problem in that the Little Round Top fighting is far more key to a Confederate success that those events occurring later on in the fighting and is the area where the least emphasis is placed. The maps are good, not great, but lacking in sufficient number to aid the reader in visualizing events, a problem overcome in volumes two and three of the Gettysburg series.

Being the first in the series, Harry Pfanz improves in writing style and clarity in the second and third volumes. These books should be an essential part of any Gettysburg historian's collection. Rating is difficult 3 for style and clarity, and 4 documentation and detail = 3.5 overall.

Harry W. Pfanz attention to detail is what I love the most about this incredible research. Harry spent 10 year assign as a park historian at Gettysburg and he spent it well. Harry learn and walked over every inch of the terrain. Harry's knowledge of the battle is unsurpassed. Harry knows more about this battle then Lee or Meade ever learned. Harry I salute you and thank you for the detail and amazing research you have preformed for our country's history. AWESOME AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
*** WARNING this book is not for someone who is looking for the "Cliff Notes" for their history class.

Pfanz is the champion of Day 2 at Gettysburg. Although his First Day treatment was very good, he excels with the focus on the Day 2 action.

The action is very detailed and certainly not for a newbie. Definitely read a good one volume account of the entire battle first (maybe even read it twice).

Many will claim that the meat and the potatoes of the battle of GB is on the second day, particularly in the area of The Peach Orchard, Wheatfield, and Little Round Top. Longstreet called it "the best three hours of fighting" and I tend to agree.

Pfanz does an excellent job of setting up the different regimental, brigade, divison, and corps leaders who were in charge of these certain subsections of the fight, along with providing some grunt reports to present a complete picture. Of course the book is meticulously footnoted and you will not doubt his knowledge on the subject.

Movements and phases of battle tend to overlap. The Wheatfield is probably one of the most complex actiions to understand because of the involvement of 2 different Confederate divisions and at least 3 different Union corps, not to mention the ebb and flow of battle. Pfanz handles this action superbly.

Little Round Top, although not as complex a movement, has potential to become magnified in importance and to actual events. However, Pfanz relies of meticulous research and tempers any far flung notions, but simply presents the events as they happen. Well done.

Pfanz is not a big Sickle's fan. Most would agree with him. I'd like to have seen a more neutral stance or at least present the counter argument, but that's okay. When it comes to Sickles, you can write a book alone about his decision to move his corps forward.

There are several maps. The complex action might require a more thorough set if you really want to break down the details. I'd suggest getting a copy of Imhoff's Day Two A Study in Maps. It's an excellent source of about 50 beautiful maps covering all the Day 2 action. Reading Pfanz and comparing against Imhoff's maps is the perfect one two punch you'll ever come across.

Simiply put, if you are student of the battle of gettysburb, your bookshelf is extremely incomplete without a copy of The Second Day, and his other book on the Culp's Hill and Cemetary Hill part of the field. Skip his First Day book and go with Martin there who has written the definitive account.