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Gettysburg--The First Day (Civil War America)
written by Harry W. Pfanz
Studio : The University of North Carolina Press
by The University of North Carolina Press
Release Date : 2000-12-06
Publisher : The University of North Carolina Press
Released : 2001-07-01
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780807826249
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 20 reviews)
List Price : $37.50
Our Price : $23.45
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Product Description |
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Though a great deal has been written about the battle of Gettysburg, much of it has focused on the events of the second and third days. With this book, the first day's fighting finally receives its due. Harry Pfanz, a former historian at Gettysburg National Military Park and author of two previous books on the battle, presents a deeply researched, definitive account of the events of July 1, 1863. After sketching the background of the Gettysburg campaign and recounting the events immediately preceding the battle, Pfanz offers a detailed tactical description of the first day's fighting. He describes the engagements in McPherson Woods, at the Railroad Cuts, on Oak Ridge, on Seminary Ridge, and at Blocher's Knoll, as well as the retreat of Union forces through Gettysburg and the Federal rally on Cemetery Hill. Throughout, he draws on deep research in published and archival sources to challenge some of the common assumptions about the battle--for example, that Richard Ewell's failure to press an attack against Union troops at Cemetery Hill late on the first day ultimately cost the Confederacy the battle. |
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Gettysburg--The First Day |
The is the third in a series by Harry Pfanz and in my opinion is the best of the group. Similar in scope to the book Crisis at the Crossroads by Warren Hassler, it documents the small unit actions of the first day's battle of Gettysburg.
Harry Pfanz documents fully the events of the first day's fighting in a casual reading style, taking each event slowly and carefully in the approximate order that they occur. What I found most interesting was the use of alternate views, in that Harry Pfanz would tell you what was happening at a similar time and in a different place that would come to effect the main story. In a sense you look at the fighting from different angles. He also blends in interesting trivia stories and some background information on the units and men involved.
In a massive event as the first day's fighting one can easily get lost in the various events taking place almost at the same time. However, this work takes things at a slow pace and forwards the action in a step by step manner so the reader tends not to get lost in events that may be occuring at the same time. What he is doing is basically combining official reports, diaries, and memoirs in telling of the events of that day.
What is often lacking in many CW battle accounts are good quality maps. This book has plenty of them and of excellent quality showing the position and movements of individual regiments, although some are oriented differently as to north which forces the reader to have to readjust in his mind his sense of direction. Some chapters even have several maps to help you through the fighting as events and positions change.
On the downside I found the book lacking somewhat in telling of the retreat through town. This chapter seem to be lacking both in order and substance and sort of thrown together. In this respect the Hassler book does a better job on this particular chapter.
One other negative comment I must register is that Pfanz often refers to streets in Gettysburg. While the student of the battle is probably with the major routes leading into the town, a map showing the major street names would have been helpful. How many of us who have not spent extensive time in Gettysburg are going to know where Washington Street is or Middle or High Street, or the location of the railroad station. Here a labeled map of the town should have been included.
If you are new student to the various "Day" books of Gettysburg, this should be your first read especially if you lack a good deal of background knowledge. As with all three of the Pfanz books and other days book of Gettysburg it is essential that the reader have been to the battlefield and be able to picture in his mind the landscape.
Since I consider this the best of the three Pfanz books, I would hope that Harry Pfanz would consider re-doing his first book on the Second Day and giving this same kind of attention to the story of Little Round Top. |
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Wow |
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This book is a must for anybody who is interested in learning about the Battle of Gettysburg. While it may not have the following that Coddington has it is an excellent book. Pfanz has an incredible talent of putting a lot of inforamtion in a book and keeping it as an easy yet insightful read. |
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informative and highly readable |
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This is probably the best account of the first day's fighting and thorough in all aspects of the people and setting involved in the pivotal conflict. Highly recommended for all newcomers and veteran students to Gettysburg. |
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Very Good, but there's another one better |
Normally I would have given Pfanz's First Day a hearty 5 stars. His knowledge of GB is astounding. However, I believe, after reading Pfanz and then Martin's July 1st book back to back, that Martin comes up on top.
Sometimes, two books on the same subject work very well together as far as offering different view points, style, etc. But in this case, I found Martin's book a better, more thorough, more analytical, and more detailed recounting of the battle of day 1. I am sure that I will re-read Martin many times, but I don't think I ever need to reread Pfanz's First Day because Martin covers it better.
Again, there is nothing wrong with Pfanz's book and it is a great read. However, the only advantage over Martin's is that Pfanz's is about a couple hundred pages shorter. Therefore it's a quicker read and a little more concentrated with info. Martin has a lot of "as previously noted" type comments.
In short, I like to have a big Civil War library, so I bought both books, but if you're looking to save money, you can get away with just Martin. Either book is for the more experienced student of Gettysburg, so don't start your general interest here or you'll be lost in the details. I'd recommend Trudeau as a good overall campaign start, then go to the micro studies of particular days or actions (i.e. Little Round Top, Wheatfield, Culps Hill, etc.)
Also, there's a couple of minor errors on one or two of the first maps which kind of turned me off. I love the summary of actions at the bottom of the maps, but why no state designation for the units (i.e. 26th North Carolina is noted simply as 26) |
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Excellent Description of the First Day at Gettysburg |
In my humble opinion, Pfanz has written what I believe to be the standard for the first day of Gettysburg. His writing style is clear and detailed without being simplistic and dry. His descriptions are balanced between North and South and officer and enlisted participants. He seems to be fair in his praises and criticisms of both sides.
The 16 maps and over 50 illustrations contribute greatly to the book by adding a human element and clear descriptions to the first day's engagement. Some Civil War histories lack adequate maps that complicate the reader's understanding of troop movements. The book's maps are wonderfully detailed and well-drawn - I only wish there would have been a few more!
I look forward to reading his other two titles on Gettysburg - Getysburg The Second Day, Culp's Hill & Cemetery Hill to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the events of July 1-3, 1864. While I have visited the Gettysburg battlefield six times in my lifetime and plan to visit again soon, I have learned something new during each visit. Pfanz' books will serve as a valuable guide on my next visit.
While I have not completely read Coddington's book on Gettysburg, I have skimmed it and his book seems to be more focused on the strategy instead of the human interest stories approach Pfanz has utilized. Because of this I cannot recommend one book over the other - that really depends on your personal preference.
Pfanz' book on the first day will help the reader better understand the events of the first day and will be a valuable guide for the person who plans to visit the battlefield soon. If you are a serious Civil War student, you need to include this title in your personal library!
Highly recommended. Read and enjoy!
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