Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide [Paperback]

John Salmon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001

142 two-color maps vividly depict battlefield action

Detailed local driving directions guide visitors to each battlefield site

Of the 384 Civil War battlefields cited as critical to preserve by the congressionally appointed Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, 123-fully one-third-are located in Virginia. The Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide is the comprehensive guidebook to the most significant battles of the Civil War. Reviewed by Edwin C. Bearss and other noted Civil War authorities and sanctioned by the National Park Service and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, no other guidebook on the market today rivals it for historical detail, accuracy, and credibility.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811728684
• ISBN-13: 978-0811728683
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Virginia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much more than a travel guide, July 16, 2004

By 

Jason R. Tibbetts (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide (Paperback)

This is one of the most useful guides I've ever read. Virginia was host to nearly 1/3rd of all Civil War engagements, and this guide covers them all like a mini-history of the war. Unlike travel books that are organized geographically, this guide organizes them chronologically. Each campaign is prefaced by a detailed overview, followed by concise (from 1 to 4 pages, depending on the battle's importance) but engrossing descriptions of the individual engagements. These descriptions make this a great book to browse through when you're not in the car. Most sites' summaries touch on their condition--whether they're threatened by development (as too many are) and whether they're in private hands or protected by the park service.

But the maps are where this book really stands out. Each battle features a very clear map designating army positions and historical roads, as well as historical markers (the author also wrote the /A Guidebook to Virginia's Historical Markers/), parking, and visitors' centers. Best of all, though, many battles are illustrated with paintings or photographs of the sites, and the point-of-view of these pictures is marked on each map!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition and amplification of ACW battlefield guides., August 29, 2006

By 

Red Harvest (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide (Paperback)

If you are familiar with either or both of the two editions of the excellent "Civil War Battlefield Guide", then you should add "The Official Virginia Civil War Guide" to your collection. This book has the advantage than in focusing on about 1/3rd as much of the war, it can do so in far greater depth.

Many small conflicts that don't receive more than a mention in the other guides are prominently and competently presented here. This makes the work a handy reference tool and an interesting read in its own right.

The layout is an improvement over the previously mentioned guides in several ways. Not only is there increased depth, but tactical maps are included for every event covered--rather than just the major ones. In addition, simple campaign maps are also included (something missing in many battle monographs even.) One weakness is that the tactical maps are not overlaid onto topographical maps, so in cases where the guides both have maps the general work is preferable in most instances.

The information on visitor centers, directions, and interesting background is very helpful as well. Also of note, the introduction states that all royalties from the book will go towards preservation efforts in Virginia.

One can only hope that similar works will be produced for other regions. This guide sets a fine standard for others to follow.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource, October 5, 2009

By 

Dr. Ron Highnote (Warrenton, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide (Paperback)

This handbook is very well done with many cross references, photos, and other keys to locating and visiting historic Civil War sites in Virginia. It includes great notes on sites that are not open to the public so you don't end up driving a long distance to a dead end trip. Used with a current map of Virginia you can plan day trips to historic sites that are near towns offering food, lodging, and other local sites worth visiting. It far exceeds the value of the cost of the book.