Bronze Award Winner; ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards for 2010.Nearly two million people visit Gettysburg National Military Park annually; but most of these visitors possess only a rudimentary knowledge of the battle and restrict their travel to the well-established tourist routes. Few know the stories behind the monuments that dot the battlefield or the controversies; and there are many; that became a part of the story. The answers to these and other questions are often as fascinating as the story of the battle itself.In So You Think You Know Gettysburg? James and Suzanne Gindlesperger provide details for over 200 different sites in the park. This volume goes beyond the typical guidebook; focusing on the little-known stories behind the battle. More than 270 color photographs are accompanied by color-coded maps showing where each photo was taken. Brief narratives then describe the sites and what took place in the immediate area.You may have visited the park; but do you know about the ten or so Confederates buried by accident in Gettysburg National Cemetery? One entry in the book explains how an embezzling general; when asked why he had no monument at Gettysburg; replied; "Why; hell; the whole battlefield is my monument." Another tells whose dog is depicted in the 11th Pennsylvania Monument and why. Another explains what the Curious Rocks are. Still another tells why Gettysburg has two markers for the battle's first shot; and why they are in different locations.Through this book; readers and visitors will learn the fine points about Gettysburg and the human side of the battle.
#2120666 in Books Caxton Press 1988-01-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .58 x 7.04 x 10.10l; .94 #File Name: 0893011266161 pages
Review
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. ...this is what we've been saying all along...By Zane IvyThe book seems to be assembled from what may have originally been a number of different "papers" on the subject. As a result; there is a lot of repetition; but that and the typos here and there and the mislabeled illustrations are a minor issue. The importance of this book is its validation of what Native America has said all along...the "pipe" has been with us for a long while; and it is almost as universal in Native North America as is the ceremonial/spiritual use of tobacco. The author says he hopes his research on the pipe will make "leaders" in the U.S. and Canada reconsider their positions on the use of the pipe in Native American spirituality; as those positions relate to its use (or repression of its use) in various contexts. As a reader; and pipe carrier; I too hope that it has the effect of allowing the use of the pipe in prisons; schools; etc. to increase. Recently I read that Canada is allowing Native citizens to take an oath in the court room using the pipe. Maybe this book has in some way; had an influence on this change for the better.The author primarily focuses on pipes with detachable stems; that are/have been used in ceremonial contexts. He suggests that archaeological evidence indicates that the use of the pipe may be older than the institutional religion that by and large tried to stamp out its use. His discussion of Native cosmology was also of interest.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Most of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know...By Robert VannThis book offers an excellent compendium of information about the "calumet"; sacred pipe; or "peace pipe"; however you call it. It covers the history of this sacred object from antiquity until the past century; with excellent maps; drawings and color photographs. It will satisfy the needs of all; from the casual reader to the serious scholar. The only topic not covered is the techniques of making a pipe from the Catlinite or other pipestone.It has an extensive bibliography for further research and a very inclusive index.For what it's worth; I find this book an excellent purchase and it will remain on my reference shelf for some time to come.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy MbgGood information; scholarly
