Smithsonian's Great Battles & Battlefields of the Civil War: A Definitive Field Guide Based on the Award-Winning Television Series by Mastervision ... Battles and Battlefields of the Civil War) [Hardcover]

Jay Wertz (Author), Edwin C. Bearss (Author)

Book Description

Series: Smithsonian's Great Battles and Battlefields of the Civil War | Publication Date: May 1997

Smithsonian's' Great Battles & Battlefields of the Civil War is an authoritative history and practical guide to the places the war waswaged. Here are the stories of the stunning dramas that unfolded on the battlefields, with illustrations that bring the scenes to life. Organized by state and cross-referenced chronologically, each entry explains the relevant battle and details the strategies behind troop movements with reference to preserved landmarks. Lively anecdotes and biographies of the partici-pants -- well-known and obscure -- offer the personal perspective that makes history immediate and meaningful.

Stocked with current landmarks and directions for getting to the battle-fields, here, too, are tips for lodging, hiking, hiking, recreation, and sight-seeing in hundreds of national and state parks and other historic areas. Perfect for the armchair traveler, real explorer, and history huff, readers can explore the military relevance of each site as well as travel tips and points of interest of each site.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Instead of telling a straightforward chronological narrative of the Civil War, this Smithsonian field guide organizes the battles--just about every last one of them--by the states in which they took place. Each listing provides a historical account, varying in length depending on the battle's significance, and identifies points of interest for tourists. Cross-referencing allows you to follow driving-tour itineraries or flip ahead in the book to the next sequential battle in a campaign. It is illustrated throughout with color maps, photographic portraits of the major participants, and other period illustrations.

From Library Journal

Wertz, who wrote and directed the television series on which this book is based, and Bearss, a former National Parks chief historian and author, offer here a comprehensive, detailed overview of all the Civil War battlefields. Arranged by region or state, each chapter takes the reader on a tour of the area's battlefields. A map begins each chapter, illustrating the military action and battlefield locations. Major highways are also indicated, making it easy to tour the area. Each section includes a recommended tour route and readings that describe the action. This guide presents an honest appraisal of each site's attractions. In addition to superb historical writing and carefully suggested tours, the authors also note travel amenities such as handicapped access. With this guide and a detailed road map in hand, readers have all they need to relive the Civil War. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Grant A. Fredericksen, Illinois Prairie Dist. P.L., Metamora
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 821 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company; 1st edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688135498
• ISBN-13: 978-0688135492
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,323,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A handy and useful companion to use for C.W. touring, July 29, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: Smithsonian's Great Battles & Battlefields of the Civil War: The Definitive Field Guide Based on the Award Winning Television Series by Mastervision (Paperback)

I have been to many Civil War battlefields on the east coast of the U.S. and this book is highly valuable to me in my touring and researching Civil War Battlefields. The book is coauthored by two scholarly experts on the Civil War, Jay Wertz and Edwin C. Bearss who give excellent summaries to each battle that was fought during the Civil War, but what makes this book especially valuable is the current hotels, bookstores, restaurants and other points of interest near or on the battlefields that are listed. Another worthy thing that the guide has is it's listing of what each battlefiled park has for the visitor such as restrooms, picnic facilities, paths, guided tours, and museums, which are invaluable to the experience. This is a MUST have to anyone who is interested on seeing the great battlefields of Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Shiloh, New Market, etc, firsthand.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Should please both historians and tourists., March 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Smithsonian's Great Battles & Battlefields of the Civil War: A Definitive Field Guide Based on the Award-Winning Television Series by Mastervision ... Battles and Battlefields of the Civil War) (Hardcover)

The proof of a guidebook is its use. I took this (along with a number of others) on our trip to the South last year. The others stayed in the rental car's trunk and we used this one almost exclusively. Not as in depth as some, but the directions were simple to follow and we appreciated the background information. One caveat -- call first if you absolutely have to eat at one of the recommended restaurants. We found the Kennesaw House in Marietta out of business. (Certainly not the fault of the publisher!) We also enjoyed armchair tours of the sites we didn't make it to.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Guide, February 7, 2000

By 

Tom Robinson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smithsonian's Great Battles & Battlefields of the Civil War: A Definitive Field Guide Based on the Award-Winning Television Series by Mastervision ... Battles and Battlefields of the Civil War) (Hardcover)

I have been to several parks and this guide pointed out some new things to see. The book features good background on the battles and features excellent directions and maps. The book also has good information on the parks and surrounding areas pertaining to if their is a fee to get into the park, nearby hotels/attractions, etc. Good guide and good background info.