Gettysburg (Voices of the Civil War) [Hardcover]

Time-Life Books (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 8^-12. From the Voices of the Civil War series, this volume concerns the Battle of Gettysburg. Although the editors address the terrain, the chronology, the main events, and the battle's significance in the context of history, most of the book is devoted to the writing of those who were there as soldiers, nurses, or Gettysburg residents. The result is a series of close-up views showing the human dimension of battle: a portrait photograph and a brief biography precede each letter or diary entry. Other illustrations include photos and sketches of the camps, battlefields, buildings, and surrounding area. A good addition to American history collections. Glossary; bibliography. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Time Life Education (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0783547005
• ISBN-13: 978-0783547008
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #749,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book for additional insight!, June 14, 2002

By 

Todd E. Newman (Valparaiso, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gettysburg (Voices of the Civil War) (Hardcover)

I like to refer to this book as a colorful, well done "coffee table" book as it features many drawings, photos and skips the details you would find in other books about the battle. This book is probably not for those looking for details or heavy explanations about a specific conflict in the battle. For one that is looking to get a basic understanding of the battle and aftermath quickly it is perfect. For those new to understanding Gettysburg this is an excellent book. Having read many books about the battle I found this book interesting in regards to the personal accounts that are found on just about every page. Time Life has made a great book and continues their quality as with other series in the past.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, insightful book about The Battle of Gettysburg, December 26, 2002

By 

historyone (Republic of Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Gettysburg (Voices of the Civil War) (Hardcover)

This is one of the books in the Time-Life Series, "Voices of the Civil War". In these books the authors/editors have taken passages out of diaries, letters to home, and personal observations of Union and Confederate Soldiers, along with photographs and pictures (of the soldiers, if a photograph is available), and given the soldier's viewpoints of the Battle. This is an insightful, moving, inspiring, and tragic account of the particular battle. In this case, the great and terrible Battle Of Gettysburg.

From such Generals as Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, W. Scott Hancock, to low ranking officers, to the enlisted men, there are letters, diary entries, and viewpoints taken from these soldiers as they write about "Little Round Top", "The Devils Den", "Culps Hill", "Cemetary Ridge", and other locations where the battle took place around Gettysburg. The letters and viewpoints range from the patriotic, others talk about the terror of the battle, others inform about lost loved ones, and yet there are humorous tales taken from the diaries of the soldiers.

This is such an interesting book, that once you pick it up, it is hard to put down. The other books in the "Voices of the Civil War" series are just as interesting as "Gettysburg".

Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting approach to the conflict at Gettysburg, March 8, 2009

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gettysburg (Voices of the Civil War) (Hardcover)

Well over a decade ago, I ran across this series by Time-Life Books, "Voices of the Civil War." I ended up acquiring the basic volumes in this series and came to enjoy them greatly. What is different about this series than others is the construction of each volume. As the front dust jacket says: "Through [the soldiers' and civilians' of Gettysburg] words and images you can relive the emotions, the terrifying rush of events, the horrors--and even the human comedy--of the Civil War's pivotal event. Thus, you hold in your hands an album of personal recollection s from letters, diaries, photographs, sketches, and artifacts."

The book itself features some brief essays putting the battle into context. On the first couple pages of the book itself is a rendering of the full battlefield. Then, an introductory essay on the campaign and the day-by-day actions during the battle itself. Page 14 provides the Order of Battle (corps and divisions and brigades involved, with commanders of each unit). Coverage of the campaign itself begins with a letter from Alexander Barclay to his sister on June 12th. The last letters provided are from mid-July. And the book ends with a photo of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. In between, we get a sense of the battle from the eyes of soldiers and citizens. Many photographs are included, to provide a sense of people, places, and events. Etchings are also included.

The end result is a more intimate coverage. If you want a detailed discussion of the fight at Gettysburg, this book would not work for you. If a reader, though, wants some broader context and the perspectives from individuals involved in one way or another, this can be a very useful read.