Book Review: Gettysburg – The Last Invasion

Gettysburg – The Last Invasion

by Allen C. Guelzo

With his book: Gettysburg – The Last Invasion, esteemed Civil War historian Allen C. Guelzo has written a complete explanation of what happened at the Battle of Gettysburg in a thorough, thought-provoking, and entertaining way. By including many quotes, he brings personality and life to those who fought at Gettysburg and he richly tells an accurate and factual story of the battle with his own words.

This is a book that deserves a place on the top shelf of your Civil War library. If you read this book at home while sitting in your most comfortable easy chair, then you will feel like you’ve been at Gettysburg during the battle, it will be made real for you. If you tour Gettysburg and refer to passages in Guelzo’s book as you look upon and walk the various park trails, hills, ridges, roads, fields, and landmarks where the fighting took place, then you will know who did what, where, when, and how, during the battle. This is a study of the Battle of Gettysburg told in an enjoyable, engaging, and informative way.

Allen C. Guelzo is highly qualified to write about the Battle of Gettysburg. He is the Henry R. Luce Professor of the Civil War Era and Director of Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College. Guelzo has done all the necessary footwork and bookwork to pen a comprehensive book about Gettysburg. His scholarly achievements are immense, and as Gettysburg College is adjacent to the Gettysburg National Military Park, he has done the fieldwork. This book is expertly researched, but easy reading and hard to put down.

Guelzo is the right person, with the right credentials, with the right knowledge, at the best place, and at the right time, to write such a fine book about the Battle of Gettysburg. Guelzo will tell you what happened at Gettysburg… and perhaps with some controversy too, he will explain how the battle might have turned out very differently if some particular events had not happened as they did. The timing is perfect with the publication of this book during the Sesquicentennial Anniversary year of the Battle of Gettysburg, but Gettysburg – The Last Invasion will be a must-read for all-time for anyone who wants to learn about Gettysburg.

I believe this book is an instant Civil War classic, and awards and praise will come for Allen C. Guelzo and his Gettysburg – The Last Invasion.

About the Author: Allen C. Guelzo

  • Guelzo is the Henry R. Luce Professor of the Civil War Era and Director of Civil War Era Studies at Gettysburg College.
  • He is the author of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America and Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President, both winners of the Lincoln Prize.
  • Guelzo’s essays, reviews, and articles have appeared in publications ranging from The American Historical Review and The Wilson Quarterly to newspapers such as The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Wall Street Journal.

Allen Guelzo on July 3, 1863

Accolades For Gettysburg – The Last Invasion

An extraordinary work of thorough scholarship combined with a lifetime of judgement about historic events. If you need a clear, direct introduction to the greatest battle on American soil this is a wonderful book. If you have read fifty books on Gettysburg but are looking for new insights and facts that illuminate things you had never considered this is the book. Everyone interested in the decisive moment in Freedom’s struggle should read Guelzo’s simply extraordinary book.
Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and coauthor of Gettysburg: A Novel of the Civil War.

Despite all that has been written about the Battle of Gettysburg, Allen C. Guelzo provides new information and insights in this stirring account. Unafraid to challenge conventional wisdom, he praises General O. O. Howard, maintains that General George G. Meade did indeed contemplate retreat on July 2 but was persuaded otherwise by subordinates, and criticizes Meade for missed opportunities in the pursuit after the battle. Readers will find much to think about in this book.
James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom.

Book Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780307594082
  • Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
  • Publication date: 5/14/2013
  • Pages: 656
  • Book dimensions: 6.00″ wide x 9.30″ high x 1.50″ deep

 

My book 501 Civil War Quotes and Notes features quotes made before, during, and after the Civil War. Each quote has an informative note to explain the circumstances and background of the quote. Learn Civil War history from the spoken words and writings of the military commanders, political leaders, the Billy Yanks and Johnny Rebs who fought in the battles, the abolitionists who strove for the freedom of the slaves, the descriptions of battles, and the citizens who suffered at home. Their voices tell us the who, what, where, when, and why of the Civil War. Available as a Kindle device e-book or as a paperback. Get 501 Civil War Quotes and Notes now!

 

Gettysburg Order of Battle

The Order of Battle

Battle of Gettysburg

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

July 1-3, 1863

Army of the Potomac

Major General George G. Meade, Commanding
Major General Daniel Butterfield, Chief of Staff
Major General Gouverner Warren, Chief Engineer
Major General Alfred Pleasonton, Chief of Cavalry
Brigadier General Henry Hunt, Chief of Artillery
95,000 Infantry, 19 Divisions in 7 Corps, 51 Brigades total

I Corps – Reynolds
1st Division Wadsworth 2nd Division Robinson 3rd Division Rowley
Meredith’s Brigade Paul’s Brigade Biddle’s Brigade
Cutler’s Bridade Baxter’s Brigade Stone’s Brigade
Stannard’s Brigade

II Corps – Hancock
1st Division Caldwell 2nd Division Gibbon 3rd Division Hays
Cross’ Brigade Harrow’s Brigade Carroll’s Brigade
Kelly’s Brigade Webb’s Brigade Smyth’s Brigade
Zook’s Brigade Hall’s Brigade Willard’s Brigade
Brooke’s Brigade
III Corps – Sickles
1st Division Birney 2nd Division Humphreys
Graham’s Brigade Carr’s Brigade
Ward’s Brigade Brewster’s Brigade
De Trobriand’s Brigade Burling’s Brigade
V Corps – Sykes
1st Division Barnes 2nd Division Ayres 3rd Division Crawford
Tilton’s Brigade Day’s Brigade McCandless’ Brigade
Switzer’s Brigade Burbank’s Brigade Fisher’s Brigade
Vincent’s Brigade Weed’s Brigade
VI Corps – Sedgwick
1st Division Wright 2nd Division Howe 3rd Division Newton
Torbert’s Brigade Grant’s Brigade Shaler’s Brigade
Bartlett’s Brigade Neill’s Brigade Eustis’ Brigade
Russell’s Brigade Wheaton’s Brigade

XI Corps – Howard
1st Division Barlow 2nd Division Von Steinwehr 3rd Division Schurz
Von Gilsa’s Brigade Coster’s Brigade Schimmelfennig’s Brigade
Ames’ Brigade Smith’s Brigade Krzyzanowski’s Brigade

XII Corps – Slocum
1st Division Williams 2nd Division Geary
McDougall’s Brigade Candy’s Brigade
Lockwood’s Brigade Cobham’s Brigade
Ruger’s Brigade Greene’s

Cavalry Corps – Pleasonton
1st Division Buford 2nd Division Gregg 3rd Division Kilpatrick
Gamble’s Brigade McIntosh’s Brigade Farnsworth’s Brigade
Devin’s’ Brigade Huey’s Brigade Custer’s Brigade
Merritt’s’ Brigade Gregg’s Brigade

Army of Northern Virginia

General Robert E. Lee, Commanding
Major General James E. B. Stuart, Chief of Cavalry
Brigadier General William Pendleton, Chief of Artillery
73,000 Infantry, 9 Divisions in 3 Corps, 37 total Brigades

I Corps – Longstreet
McLaw’s Division Pickett’s Division Hood’s Division
Kershaw’s Brigade Garnett’s Brigade Law’s Brigade
Semmes’ Bridade Kemper’s Brigade Robertson’s Brigade
Barksdale’s Brigade Armistead’s Brigade G. T. Anderson’s Brigade
Wofford’s Brigade Benning’s Brigade

II Corps – Ewell
Early’s Division Johnson’s Division Rodes’ Division
Hays’ Brigade Stewart’s Brigade Daniel’s Brigade
Smith’s Brigade Walker’s Brigade Iverson’s Brigade
Gordon’s Brigade William’s Brigade Doles’ Brigade
Avery’s Brigade Jones’ Brigade Ramseur’s Brigade
O’Neal’s Brigade

III Corps – Hill
R. H. Anderson’s Division Heth’s Division Pender’s Division
Wilcox’s Brigade Pettigrew’s Brigade Perrin’s Brigade
Wright’s Brigade Brockenbrough’s Brigade Lane’s Brigade
Mahone’s Brigade Archer’s Brigade Thomas’ Brigade
Lang’s Brigade Davis’ Brigade Scale’s Brigade
Posey’s Brigade
Cavalry – Stuart
Hampton’s Division
F. Lee’s Brigade
Robertson’s Brigade
Jenkins’ Brigade
Jones’ Brigade
W. H. F. Lee’s Brigade