DOC Gettysburg: The Last Invasion (Vintage Civil War Library) by Allen Guelzo in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. masterful historyBy John E. DruryOn April 15; 2015; on the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the death of Abraham Lincoln; Allen C. Guelzo lectured at the Kirby Center of the Hillsdale College (Washington) on what would Reconstruction have been if Lincoln had lived. His lecture was knowledgeable; thought provoking and elegantly presented.His lecture led to the reading of this superbly written history of the Battle of Gettysburg on those fateful three (3) days in July 1963. The paperback version of 486 pages has more than 100 pages of footnotes. The first 140 pages address the lead up to the battle; the internal politics of the Union and the Confederacy; the jockeying for leadership among the Union military; and in a stunningly and beautifully written introduction on the very important topography of central Maryland and south central Pennsylvania as if one were an Indian scout looking off east from the South Mountain.Guelzo effortlessly and thoroughly moves through each of the three days of the Battle interspersing each day's events with military tactics; maps of troop movements; portraits of the military leadership and diary quotes from soldiers and generals. He is surprisingly non judgmental on Lee and Meade allowing contemporary opinions to add to the historical record; vividly descriptive; and clever by weaving together the disparate parts of this complex history with the many players; events; and the momentous results.His concluding chapters deal with the horrific casualties on both sides; for the Confederacy over 20;000 and for the Union over 22;000.00. The carnage of warfare shocks and saddens any reader. His ending chapter dissects Lincoln's Gettysburg Address phrase by telling phrase so Americans can truly appreciate what has occurred and how this has impacted this nation.Allen Guelzo's masterful "The Last Invasion" can now join the ranks of America's great histories on the Battle of Gettysburg.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Objective View of Gettysburg: One of the BestBy Daniel HurleyA very objective view of the Gettysburg and very refreshing from that standpoint with analysis free of previous stereotypes created by less objective material or slights based on contrived post war blame. One example is the role that Union General Reynolds played in establishing Gettysburg as the union stand with discrediting from Meade who dejected a defensive line further south. Reynolds commitment to resisting Lee's Army and committing two corps caused Meade to follow and establish his position albeit defensive after the near rout of the first day. Another example is Longstreet's 2nd day attack that is recognized as dominating as Jackson's flank attack at Chancellorsville that almost succeeded except for the failure of two of AP Hill's divisions to commit their troops at the break through point; Posey halts half way and Mahone insisting he was in reserve and refused to participate. Also; Hood's insistence to flank the Round Tops was denied by Longstreet and Hood still splayed his troops forward to the Round Tops that may reduced the power of Longstreet's primary attack. Another controversy concerning Lee; was what appeared to be a blind penchant to promote Virginia officers in an army that was only 25% Virginia. Lesson learned by Lee; he had to exert greater supervision of his two new corps commanders; Ewell and Hill. Outstanding book and highly readable.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The Map This Book NeedsBy Flying ScotAn excellent book; putting you right into the swirl of battle but; as others have noted; it has insufficient maps. The finest Gettysburg map ever made is not in any book; but can be found as part of a board game called "Guns of Gettysburg;" by Bowen Simmons. I have no interest in games; but the map inside; which is 3 feet long; 2 feet wide; and board mounted; displays a stunning array of symbols for woods; orchards; fields; swamps; roads; railroad tracks; streams; ridges; hills; elevation shades; and even boulders. It also uses small cannon symbols for all cannon emplacements; sight lines for cannon; location of all key buildings; such as the Lutheran Seminary; Penn College; Belmont School; various farm houses; and small symbols for all the main houses and buildings in the streets of Gettysburg. And all this in beautiful and varying shades of green; overlaid with gold for roads and railroad tracks; and light blue for all creeks and runs. I read Guelzo's superb book while keeping this "Guns of Gettysburg" map (which folds its large size neatly up into 11 inches by 8) on a small chairside table for easy reference; and it greatly helped to clarify this splendid book and bring the battle to life for me.