Pickett's Charge [With 11 X 17 Fold-Out Map]

by Richard Rollins and Richard Rollins

Book Overview

As New. No Jacket as Issued TRADE PAPERBACK. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0963899309
• ISBN13: 9780963899309
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Rank & File
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

The most complete book of eyewitness accounts!

The amount of eyewitness accounts to this charge in incredible. Rollins is very fair in his insight while introducing an individual's story. From the early stages of artillery placement, Union and Confederate positioning on Day #3, the cannonade, assault and repulse, this book covers it all. Letters and sections from biographies are presented from not just Generals and Colonels but all the way down to individual private soldier accounts. This book is a great tool for those trying to understand Pickett's charge and how soldiers involved told of their struggles. It is interesting to read their accounts written days or even years after the battle. On several accounts it is easier to get clarity in regards to a certain regiment or company movement. Though many stories are sometimes repititous as to the event, the commentary in regards to the action is unique! This book would compliment anyone interested in understanding the charge in a much more deeper view. For a beginner it may be hard to follow though for one who understands the charge or has had more time reading about it, I would recommend it highly!

Rollins did all the research for you

Rollins has done the painstaking task of finding accounts of Pickett's Charge as seen by participants and observers. Not only has he found them, but he annotated them and compiled them so that they flow. Rollins' book views the assault from nearly every angle. Rollins, through documents written by the people involved, shows that the charge wasn't a last resort or a desperate attempt to gain ground, but rather a calculated risk whose failure lied in mis-execution and unfortunate split second descisions. Truly superb!!!

Incredibly interesting...

The more that I read Civil War and WWII books, the more that I find that the most interesting books are those that contain firsthand accounts of what the soldiers went through. This is just such a book. It's a compilation of experiences from different soldiers, involving most of the units in the charge, both Union and Confederate. I find myself rereading parts of this book over and over. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Gettysburg.

Excellent Accounts!

The eyewitness accounts are quite informative and go to great lengths in describing the horrors of war. Both sides of the war are well represented without favoritism or slanted journalism. The book moves along at a nice pace and doesn't bog you down in over-detailed research.The nice feature of this work is the addition of reference notes in the text; making it easy to find the original notation. Richard Rollins has done a superb job in putting this book together.

The Real Stuff

This compilation of eyewitnes accounts is the most valuable resource for studying this part of the battle. You read actual testimonies of actual participants from both sides. Everything else is commentary. The editor has provided a most valuable service.