Book Review–Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg

Cover–Pickett’s Charge

Hessler, James, Wayne Motts, and Steven Stanley. Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg: A Guide to the Most Famous Attack in American History. El Dorado Hills, CA, Savas Beatie. 2015.

Details: 310 pages, index, bibliography, end notes, color and b/w photos, maps. ISBN 9781611212006, $37.95.

A reader may ask themselves several questions before making a decision to purchase yet another book on Gettysburg in general and another book on Pickett’s Charge specifically. Heck, there are several excellent Day 3 books available including books such as Pickett’s Charge–The Last Attack at Gettysburg (Civil War America)by Earl Hess, Gettysburg, Day Three by Jeffry Wert, and others. Once you take a look at this beauty you won’t be asking yourself any questions. All you will say is Ted Savas has done it again. You will have to have purchase it.

Part travel guide and part history this is a book that despite its heft can be used to tour the battlefield The book has the field is divided into four tours for ease of use. Tours include Confederate Battle Line, Pettigrew-Trimble Charge, Pickett’s Charge, and Union Battle Line. Tour stops include full GPS coordinates making it easy to pick and choose should a reader wish to only visit certain locations. Driving directions from stop to stop are included as well. Also included in the book is a full order of battle. The research is thorough, the bibliography is massive and there are nearly twenty pages of end notes. While the end notes take a bit of getting used to due to the numerous, yet informative, sidebars they are complete and a must review for those looking for further information. The book is full of maps and photos, both historic and modern.

Authors Hessler and Motts are both Licensed Battlefield Guides, a group who prides itself on strenuous standards and accurate story telling. The maps are beautifully crafted by cartographer Steven Stanley, who is known for his excellent work for the Civil War Trust.

This is a book that is highly recommended for any level of student of the battle of Gettysburg. The text is accessible and easy to read. The photos and maps are beautiful to look at. The book itself is sturdy and built to withstand use on the field or look great on a bookshelf. Don’t miss this title. It should be in every Civil War library.