Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain has been a central character in two feature films (Gettysburg and Gods Generals); a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (The Killer Angels); and an inspiration for Ken Burns's production of the highly acclaimed PBS series The Civil War. Chamberlain won national fame at the Battle of Gettysburg for his key role in fending off the Confederates at Little Round Top on day two of the battle.This new volume brings to public light 300 never-before-seen letters from Chamberlain's personal correspondence; which comprises letters sent by or to Chamberlain from his college years in 1852 to his death in 1914. The first 100 letters shed light on Chamberlain's formative years and his courtship with Fannie Adams; which has been the source of much speculation by scholars. The final 200 letters reveal insights into Chamberlain the Union commander and the aftermath of the war. Chamberlain's image can be found on everything from historical art to sculpture; from t-shirts to clocks; from bobble-head dolls to snow globes. Despite all this attention; there is still a lot about Chamberlain that most people do not know. His life is a remarkable story of perseverance; tragedy; and triumph. From an insecure young man with a considerable stuttering problem who grew up in a small town in eastern Maine; Joshua Chamberlain rose to become a major general; recipient of the Medal of Honor; Governor of Maine; and President of Bowdoin College. His writings are among the most oft-quoted of all Civil War memoirs; and he has become a legendary; even mythical historical figure. Historian and acclaimed author; Thomas Desjardin; puts Chamberlain's words in contemporary and historical context and uses this extraordinary collection of letters to reveal--for the first time--the full and remarkable life of Joshua Chamberlain. Readers will find this unique portrait of Chamberlain to be entertaining; moving; and inspiring.
#1483191 in Books Pen Sword Books 2011-03-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.04 x 7.09 x 9.37l; 2.02 #File Name: 1848840683320 pagesPen Sword Books
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Incredibly detailed: more of a catalog than a history; but still worthwhile.By BernardIncredibly detailed guide to virtually all the sites in the various sections of the Maginot Line. I bought this book to prepare for a visit next month; and I found it helpful to focus my planned visits. As a novice; I appreciate the history of how it was planned and executed; although this part could have been more comprehensive; and I would have gladly traded some of the details; for example; the precise calibre of every weapon in each fort for a bit more of the development history. Nevertheless; it's an impressive piece of work and I shall carry it with me when I visit.15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. An excellent guideBy Chris SterlingThis is a fine history and guide to a legendary--and controversial--fortification system. Designed in the late 1920s and early 1930s; then built during the Depression (thus providing work; though at a massive overall cost); the largely underground border forts (ouvrage) faced both Germany and Italy. Behind their seeming impregnability the French military dozed; sadly convinced they merely had to occupy the gros (large) and petite (small) ouvrage to hold off any fascist invasion. Indeed; we speak of the "Maginot mentality" to this day to denote something providing false security.All of this is discussed and assessed here; but the real appeal of this book is just how much detailed information is provided. I especially like the 3-D diagrams of the various Maginot ouvrage; as they offer a solid sense of each underground fort layout and its relationship to local terrain. I began with those ouvrage that I've seen in the south of France---and they bring back that visit of 15 years ago with their clarity. Furthermore; they make clear just how much variance there was in this massive construction project--all of it designed and built with nary a computer in sight.The literature on Maginot's line is substantial---but much of it is quite understandably written in French. Works by Mary and Truttman; to name two of the best French authorities; are invaluable and offer excellent illustrations. But if you can't read the French captions and text; naturally much is lost. The Kaufmann's book provides a concise history as well as the all the context that anyone could need to visit the sites today (more of them are opening all the time). At the same time; it provides something of an English "key" to all those French volumes. I know that I will use both together from now on.I strongly recommend this well-conceived and illustrated book. For the price; you will not find a better guide to and history of a fascinating fortification.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Kindle edition spoils the bookBy HarryI spent two and a half years in the Verdun area while in the U.S. Army during the Cold War and constantly encountered elements of the Maginot Line. They were always impressive structures; every bit as attention grabbing as the medieval castles that dotted the high ground across Europe. This book would have been a treasure to have when serving there. It seems to do justice to the history and story of these mostly buried forts. Good job!This Kindle edition suffers the shortcomings common to most books with illustrations; they are too small to make out. I view it on my 17" PC and using a 3 power reading glass can make out some of the information. It's a huge drawback in this case as the book has a wealth of informative illustrations. It's so bad I had to give the Kindle edition only two stars.
