Critics have called this 544-page study the tour de force of books on Napoleon's army. Early in his career; the author actually interviewed aging veterans and survivors of the Napoleonic wars. Retrace each step of the Emperor's Grande Armee. Rare combat prints; drawings; and sketches accurately depict military apparel and weaponry; while charts; theater of operations; maps; casualty lists and statistics add to this chronicle's clarity and value. 560 pages; 47 b/w illus.; 6 1/4 x 9 1/4.
#1503126 in Books Time-Life Books 1999-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .83 x 10.31 x 10.27l; #File Name: 0783547145180 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Fredericksburg: A Brutal Undertaking for the Private SoldierBy R. KillianThis is the best of the Time-Life Civil War books that I have purchased. The book has many quotations; but the quotes are from exceptionally important people in the war. Also; the quotes are from enlisted men as well as officers; from BOTH sides of the war. I found this text to be of value in understanding the viewpoint of the soldier who took part in this important battle.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy shaun benoitoutstanding6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Voices of the Civil War: This Time FredericksburgBy Steven PetersonThe power of this Time-Life series; "Voices of the Civil War;" is the personal approach through letters and diaries and reports from those who were involved in one way or another with a battle or situation. This time? Fredericksburg.This was one of the most ghastly battles of the Civil War from the Union's perspective. A series of errors slowed a lightning quick move to a snail's pace; allowing Robert E. Lee's forces to occupy high ground. Ambrose Burnside; commanding the Union forces; decided that he would cross the Rappahannock and assault the high ground above Fredericksburg. A grand slaughter followed.As with others in the series; this volume begins with an artist's sketch of the field of battle. There are a series of essays; describing the background of the battle and providing some narrative about the struggle itself. The "Order of Battle" appears on page 15. Casualties? See page 133 for the butcher's bill. 5;377 Confederate troops were killed; wounded; or captured and missing versus 12;653 Union casualties.Some voices. . . Lt. Colonel E. Porter Alexander speaks of the grandeur as the Union Army began massing and started firing its artillery toward Fredericksburg. The next contribution is by a resident of Fredericksburg; Francis Bernard; who reports on the destruction wreaked upon his house and community by Union fire. There is a poignant description by General John Bell Hood with Stonewall Jackson; in which Hood said that he thought he would survive the war--but be shattered by battle. And Jackson indicated that he did not expect to survive (page 52).A good person's eye view of this bloody battle.
