Customer Reviews

Landscape Turned Red: The Battle of Antietam

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IN MY OPINION THERE IS NO BETTER BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF ANTIETAM. MR SEARS ENABLES THE READER TO FOLLOW BOTH ARMIES ON THEIR FATEFUL MARCH INTO HISTORY AT THE PLACE WHERE THE ROADS CAME TOGETHER. I HAVE USED THIS BOOK AS A TEACHING AID SINCE 1987. AFTER READING LANDSCAPE TURNED RED, EVERY PERSON THAT I HAVE TAKEN TO ANTIETAM HAS HAD A BETTER GRASP OF THE BATTLEFIELD LAYOUT. THEY ARE ABLE TO MORE EASILY VISUALIZE MENTALLY THE EVENTS AND TROOP PLACEMENTS OF THE BLOODIEST DAY IN OUR NATIONS MILITARY HISTORY. MR SEARS IS NOT SHY TO POINT OUT THE PETTY AND NATURAL FLAWS OF SOME OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT SOLDIERS OF THAT ERA. HE ALSO GIVES CREDIT TO THOSE WHO WERE DESERVING AND ANONYMOUS FOR OVER 100 YEARS. THE BOOK FLOWS WITHOUT THE CONSTANT MINDNUMBING FACTS THAT LULL MOST HISTORY READERS TO SLEEP. MR SEARS IS NOT SLOW TO SEPERATE FACT FROM FICTION. HE DEPICTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS BATTLE THROUGH A GIFTED STYLE , NOT BY MERE NUMBERS OF DEAD AND WOUNDED. HE CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF DAY AND THE LOST OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE UNION GENERALS HELD IN THEIR HANDS TO CONQUER THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND SAVE THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN LIVES. I ENCOURAGE EVERY READER WHO IS EVEN SLIGHTLY INTERESTED IN THE CIVIL WAR AND THE ANTIETAM CAMPAIGN TO READ THIS BOOK.

Stephen Sears has written a thorough and meticulous account of one of the most important battles of the Civil War. It is told primarily from the Union side- something that may disappoint readers more interested in the Southern point of view, but which is also logical, given that Sears is also a biographer of the frustrating and enigmatic George B. McClellan. Sears' emphasis on the Blue side also makes sense given the political significance of the battle for the Union cause. Contrary to the opinion expressed by the reader from Milbury, Sears does not irretrievably hang himself out on any interpretive limbs. To be sure, he his harsh on McClellan's conduct of the campaign, but his view is by no means outside the mainstream of Civil War historiography. If anything, he seems to be taking his cues from Bruce Catton, who is just as critical- if not more critical- of McClellan's sluggishness and caution. If Sears is unduly harsh on anyone, it is probably Fitz-John Porter, the V Corps commander who was eventually cashiered for no other reason than his personal friendship with the fallen McClellan (Porter deserved better, if for no other reason than his stout defense under difficult circumstances at Gaines Mill). Sears never quite rises to the eloquence of Catton's account of Antietam in Mr. Lincoln's Army, but then, few works about the Civil War ever have. His is a heavily interpretive account of the events in question, to be sure, but then no historian ever really "just tells what happened." Sears' attempt to make sense of one of the key events of American history is well-written, credible, and will reward the casual reader and Civil War buff alike.

I am not a Civil War buff, not an expert but I was hooked by Stephen Sears excellent book. When I first moved to Shepherdstown which is across the Potomac from Sharpsburg I felt I should know more about the Battle of Antietam but I have never been interested in Civil War history. Despite the fact that re-enactors frequent our area and many Confederate soldiers are buried in my town (they weren't allowed to be buried in Maryland) I had little understanding of what transpired there. I read a glowing review of Landscape Turned Red in Newsweek and decided to give it a try. From the first page, I was drawn in.
I have stood in 'bloody row' and read and in the tower and read. Since then I made it a book club selection. When people visit and want to go to the battlefield, I send them home with a copy of this book. Even history haters can love it. It is well worth your time.

While the battle that took place in Pennslyvania nearly a year later looms much larger in the popular mind, the battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg to the Rebels) looms almost as important. Had not General Lee's battle plans fallen into the hands of the Union (which the dithering General McClelland almost failed to take advantage of) President Lincoln would have been unable to issue the emancipation proclamation and the European powers might have officially recognized the Confederacy, therby permanently splitting the United States. Author Sears's account brings the battle to life in all of its terrible glory. Anyone with an interest in the Civil War should read this book.

Sears does an excellent job combining a first-rate overview of the battle, a solid analysis of the combatants and their actions and keeping the book a good read. Landscape Turned Red reads quickly and is very informative, providing great detail in the text as well as copious footnotes. Any student of Antietam should begin study here.

IN MY OPINION THERE IS NO BETTER BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF ANTIETAM. MR SEARS ENABLES THE READER TO FOLLOW BOTH ARMIES ON THEIR FATEFUL MARCH INTO HISTORY AT THE PLACE "WHERE THE ROADS CAME TOGETHER". I HAVE USED THIS BOOK AS A TEACHING AID SINCE 1987. AFTER READING LANDSCAPE TURNED RED, EVERY PERSON THAT I HAVE TAKEN TO ANTIETAM HAS HAD A BETTER GRASP OF THE BATTLEFIELD LAYOUT. THEY ARE ABLE TO MORE EASILY VISUALIZE MENTALLY THE EVENTS AND TROOP PLACEMENTS OF THE BLOODIEST DAY IN OUR NATIONS MILITARY HISTORY. MR SEARS IS NOT SHY TO POINT OUT THE PETTY AND NATURAL FLAWS OF SOME OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT SOLDIERS OF THAT ERA. HE ALSO GIVES CREDIT TO THOSE WHO WERE DESERVING AND ANONYMOUS FOR OVER 100 YEARS. THE BOOK FLOWS WITHOUT THE CONSTANT MINDNUMBING FACTS THAT LULL MOST HISTORY READERS TO SLEEP. MR SEARS IS NOT SLOW TO SEPERATE FACT FROM FICTION. HE DEPICTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS BATTLE THROUGH A GIFTED STYLE , NOT BY MERE NUMBERS OF DEAD AND WOUNDED. HE CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF DAY AND THE LOST OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE UNION GENERALS HELD IN THEIR HANDS TO CONQUER THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND SAVE THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN LIVES. I ENCOURAGE EVERY READER WHO IS EVEN SLIGHTLY INTERESTED IN THE CIVIL WAR AND THE ANTIETAM CAMPAIGN TO READ THIS BOOK.

This outstanding book describes in detailed but very smooth prose the Civil War battle of Antietam in September, 1862. Sears describes the prelude to the battle superbly, introducing and characterizing the generals involved and their strengths and foibles, the landscapes involved, and the strategies followed (or not followed!). The text is an excellent interfolding of the traits of decision-making military leaders and how their strategic decisions manifest battle results. This outstanding and informative read is one of the best civil war histories I've read. Even readers who are not civil war buffs will enjoy the tense pace and clear descriptions, while experts on the battle are sure to learn from Sears thorough scholarship and learned viewpoints. Heartily recommended.

Sears' detailed description of the battle of Antietam is a gripping, thoroughly documented and researched history. He is able to flawlessly weave the views of the battle from both Northern and Southern generals. Much detail is devoted to the irresponsible leadership of Gen. George McClellan and his belief that he was the "saviour" of the Union. This is without a doubt a classic book on a horrific battle.

Sears has put together an outstanding book which should be easily classified as a Civil War classic. Sears covers political tension in Washington and the uproar over continuous Union defeats and leadership. Written clearly and concise, this book builds the situation or develops the structure for giving basis to Lee's decision to move the Army of Northern Virginia into Maryland. More interesting was McClellan's organizing troops for further campaigns while dealing with tough bureaucrats in Washington. His cautious approach to battle was a large concern for many and it helped explain his decisions later in the story in regards to not pursuing Lee's army on the 18th of September the day after the bloody Battle of Antietam. Besides covering McClellan's operations, the book covered the Confederate raid and seige of Harper's Ferry. Sears covered all Union and Confederate advances to Sharpsburg/Antietam allowing for better understanding of which corp went where, who followed who, which city and time,etc.. The battle coverage was outstanding and well versed, though I preferred more maps (as I always do). Sears covers the battle from start to finish and also covers Lee's retreat and the political issues surrounding this great battle afterwords. This book is a must have for any student of the Civil War. It should be in everyones' library as it covers the bloodiest day of battle ever in the entire Civil War.

Simply a classic...Stephen Sears belongs in a class with Bruce Catton for Civil War writing elegance while not compromising comprehensiveness. In "Landscape Turned Red", Sears follows the Army of the Potomac from the retreat to Washington following 2nd Bull Run and carries it through the Confederate retreat back across the Potomac following the "defeat" at Sharpsburg. The regrouping of the Union army (now again under command of McClellan following the disasterous reign of John Pope) is covered in military and political context that shows where the state of both governments stood in the late summer of 1862. The Confederate administration was actively pursuing European intervention and Sears shows that the victory at 2nd Bull Run came very close to achieving that lofty goal...in fact, there were planned Parlimentary sessions to discuss this when the battle at Antietam occured. The Union state of affairs reflected the demoralizing state of the army and Lincoln's desperation for victory...he already had a draft copy of the Emancipation Proclamation ready to review with his Cabinet and Congress and just needed the proper showcase to administer it. Sears descibes the Confederate invasion of the North following the battle at Chantilly and the less than enthusiastic greeting of the people in Maryland...he really should have seen at this point that the invasion was in trouble. McClellan's chase of Lee takes on a whole new meaning when the "Order 191" of the Confederate invasion plan was found by a seargent at Frederick and the subsequent fighting at South Mountain and Harpers Ferry show Lee confused at McClellan's sudden agressiveness...Sears describes all this with his customary insight while also relying on 1st person accounts from the many diary/journal entries available from the soldiers and citizens of Maryland at this time. The preparations for the ultimate Confederate stand at Sharpsburg and Lee's unique skills at organizing his defense are offset by the plodding of McClellan and his underlying ineptness. Sears shows in graphic detail how opportunity after opportunity for Union victory are lost by McClellan and it's hard for the reader not to feel the frustration at this, especially with the knowledge of the coming carnage. The battle itself is covered wonderfully...Sears again (as in his book "To the Gates of Richmond") gives the reader just enough battle details to be comprehensive, but stops short at the overkill stage. He has a unique ability to take complex battle tactics and detail these in an organized, but at the same time readable, story. The personal side is again not ignored as numerous diary entries are shared from both sides of the conflict...the final result gives the reader a true feeling of what it was like on the field at Sharpsburg. This is really evident at his coverage of the first part of the battle on the Confederate left...charge and counter-charge followed by attack and counter-attack along the Hagerstown Pike and in the Cornfield and East and West Woods shows how the slaughter escalated throughout the morning. The shifting of the battle to the Sunken Road and to Burnside's Bridge carry on the unbelievable carnage, ending only at sunset with the armies essentially at their original starting point. Sears talks about McClellan's lack of nerve to continue the battle the next day, while showing Lee's bravery at staying the course...only after assesing the situation with his generals that day does he realize that, even with McClellan in command, it would only be a matter of time before another attack and Confederate disaster occured. Following the Confederate retreat across the Potomac, we see the slumbering McClellan refuse to chase him...even after direct orders from Lincoln to destroy Lee's army are given. The book then closes with McClellan's dismissal and Lincoln's frustration at another opportunity lost. Sears' ability to combine all this into a novel-like story while maintaining comprehensivness tells me that he truly deserves his title as one of the pre-eminent Civil War historians today and I really look forward to reading more of his work. I give this book my highest recommendation!