High Tide at Gettysburg: The Campaign in Pennsylvania [Paperback]

Glenn Tucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1995 | ISBN-10: 1879664267 | ISBN-13: 978-1879664265

High Tide at Gettysburg tells the story of the Army of Virginia. How near the South came to victory is clearly set forth in these pages. The author vividly conveys the background of the crucial b attle of the Civil War so that the reader can fully appreciate its unfolding.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Glenn Tucker is the author of numerous books on the Civil War including Chickamauga: Bloody Battle in the West. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 462 pages
• Publisher: Stan Clark Military Books (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879664267
• ISBN-13: 978-1879664265
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,025,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tucker goes to great lengths., October 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: High Tide at Gettysburg: The Campaign in Pennsylvania (Hardcover)

Glenn Tucker's "High Tide at Gettysburg" is an extraordinary piece of work. Tucker, unlike many historians describes the officers, where they came from, and who they were. He also points out little tidbits that make the whole story of Gettysburg more interesting. For anyone who is interested in the Battle of Gettysburg, I encourage him/her to read this.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Introduction to the Battle of Gettysburg, August 20, 2003

By 

Robin Friedman (Washington, D.C. United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: High Tide at Gettysburg: The Campaign in Pennsylvania (Hardcover)

The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863) is the most - discussed battle of the Civil War. It provides endless materials for discussion on questions ranging from the reasons for the Confederacy's invasion of the North, the factors leading up to the battle, the strategy and tactics employed by the armies, how close the South came, or could have come, to achieving victory, and -- most importantly -- the significance of it all for our country.

Even with such recent studies of Gettysburg as those by Steven Sears (2003) and Noah Trudeau (2002) Tucker's 1958 book, "High Tide at Gettysburg" remains worth reading. There are immeasurable perspectives on this battle. I am finding that the reader can only work towards an understanding of it by reading several accounts. Tucker's book is less detailed than are the studies of Sears and Trudeau. But it is an easier read, it is well told, and it features many interesting biographical detail an many of the key figures of the battle. In terms of getting a grasp of the complex military actions, it might be better for the reader to start with Tucker before approaching Sears or Trudeau.

Tucker differs from Sears and Trudeau in that he takes a pro-South perspective. His focus is on the Army of Northern Virginia and on its heroics -- and its failures -- during the battle. There are moments when I felt Tucker was downplaying the Union effort at the battle to such a degree that he thought that the ultimate success or failure of the Southern effort was entirely in the South's hands. (Many years after the battle General George Pickett was asked why his charge failed. He replied "I think the Union Army had something to do with it.")

Tucker also takes a markedly Southern view of the meaning of the War. He sees it as a War for Southern Independence which reached its high tide at Gettysburg. He tells his story with drama and passion. He greatly downplays slavery as a motivating factor for the Civil War, contrary to most more recent accounts of Civil War History. Again, he also tends to minimize the moral force of the Union's commitment, exemplified by the determination of President Lincoln to hold our country together as one nation rather than have it divide in two.

Tucker's approach is valuable because it emphasizes how people on both sides of the conflict were fighting for what they perceived as ideals. This is sometimes forgotten in more recent accounts and it goes a considerably way to explain the ferocity of the fighting. There is a great deal to be learned from Tucker as long as the reader approaches the book critically.

There has been endless discussion about why the Battle of Gettysburg turned out the way it did. In the final chapter of his book Tucker offers a list of his reasons. His list is thoughtful if not particularly surprising to students of the battle. The list will help the reader focus on the critical events of this fascinating battle and to reflect for him or herself on their meaning.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great account of this famous battle, April 19, 1998

By 

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

This review is from: High Tide at Gettysburg: The Campaign in Pennsylvania (Hardcover)

When the movie on Gettysburg was first released in Australia I tried desperately to find a book to read about the battle. I found this one and I enjoyed it a great deal. It may not be the most detailed account available but I found it to be one of the best that gave a complete overview of the 3 days fighting without getting lost or bored. The authors style of writing was refreshing and enjoyable and I found it hard to put the book down. Still one of my favourite books on this battle although I have read many since.