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The Battle of the Crater: A Novel
With The Battle of the Crater, New York Times bestselling authors Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen take readers to the center of a nearly forgotten Civil War confrontation, a battle that was filled with controversy and misinterpretation even before the attack began. Drawing on years of research, the authors weave a complex narrative interweaving the high aspirations...more
ebook, 352 pages
Published
November 8th 2011
by Thomas Dunne Books
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A very good book. Very readable based on historical fact and real people. The authors lend their personal conversations to carry the story which must be as there were no records kept of the personal events of that time. The battle of the crater is one of the many battles fought during the American Civil War, this one is during the siege of Petersburg by Richmond, Virginia. The area of Petersburg is the railroad hub on the South and the North wants it to disrupt the flow of supplies to the South....more
Ok, ok, I know what you're thinking....
You can't possibly keep liking his books. People will stop thinking you're cool!.
Here's the thing: you don't get to be cool (like me) by reading what people think you should read. You get to be cool (like me) by reading whatever the hell you want, telling it like it is, and letting the chips fall where they may.
...I have to say, N E W T knows how to put out a good civil war historical novel. This one, in particular, would make for a good high school hist...more
You can't possibly keep liking his books. People will stop thinking you're cool!.
Here's the thing: you don't get to be cool (like me) by reading what people think you should read. You get to be cool (like me) by reading whatever the hell you want, telling it like it is, and letting the chips fall where they may.
...I have to say, N E W T knows how to put out a good civil war historical novel. This one, in particular, would make for a good high school hist...more
This is a story about the Battle of the Crater - July 1864. It was the Union's best chance to smash Lee's defenses and capture the vital rail center of Petersburg, VA. It is also the story of members of the United States Colored Troops who participated in the attack.
Disclosure - in college I wrote a research paper on James H. Ledlie - "The Union's Worst General" - which was published in a Civil War magazine in 1975. It was Ledlie's division that led the attack that day. I know the details of tha...more
Disclosure - in college I wrote a research paper on James H. Ledlie - "The Union's Worst General" - which was published in a Civil War magazine in 1975. It was Ledlie's division that led the attack that day. I know the details of tha...more
No matter what you think of Mr. Gingrich's politics, he does write a good historical novel. I thought this was a very impressive retelling of the story of the Battle of the Crater. The authors stay close to the known facts and imbue the story with a realistic protrayal of the USCTs originally assigned to make the assault. One quible I have with them is the motives they assign to Meade for changing out the USCT for white regiments at the last minute.
I think that their portrayal of the last assul...more
I think that their portrayal of the last assul...more
An interesting historical novel of a lesser known battle of the Civil War in which the United States Colored Troops were to have a lead role in a battle that was planned to lead up to the end the War in the taking of Petersburg and then Richmond. The authors build up to this battle, developing the historic characters and then as the battle unfolds we learn their true natures. Envy, pettiness, military rivalries and ineptness all play out in a battle of devastating proportions. Though it is a nov...more
One of the greatest recommendations for reading Gingrich & Forstchen is their ability to insert their readers into the emotions and urgencies of decision and risk. So it is with the Battle of the Crater. Relive the sense of near failure on the battlegrounds of the Civil War. Then feel yourself living in the hearts and minds of the negro troops who desperately want to prove their worth and to be a part of their own destiny for the first time in their lives. The horrors and perils of war are v...more
Damn!! Historical fiction at its best. The focus of 'Crater' is the US Colored Troops who fought so bravely in their first action at Petersburg.
When you took your US history course in high school, even if you had a Civil War buff for a teacher, everything between Gettysburg and Appomattox was glossed over (OK, maybe the Battle of Atlanta was mentioned, Gone With the Wind after all and Sherman's march to the sea). It was unfortunate that blood baths, like the siege of Petersburg, were never discu...more
When you took your US history course in high school, even if you had a Civil War buff for a teacher, everything between Gettysburg and Appomattox was glossed over (OK, maybe the Battle of Atlanta was mentioned, Gone With the Wind after all and Sherman's march to the sea). It was unfortunate that blood baths, like the siege of Petersburg, were never discu...more
This battle has intrigued me since I heard about it. We are not far from Petersburg and Richmond and plan a little sortie over there. Then I'll write up the novel and the park for mybimonthly short piece in MILITARY OFFICER magazine called VISITING A NOVEL IN..........
The authors, who have collaborated before, use an Irish illustrator from Harper's Weekly as the fictitious thread connecting the White House and the battlefield giving both the long view and the up close portrayal of the horrors of...more
The authors, who have collaborated before, use an Irish illustrator from Harper's Weekly as the fictitious thread connecting the White House and the battlefield giving both the long view and the up close portrayal of the horrors of...more
The Battle of the Crater is an excellent work of historical fiction that concerns itself with one of the lesser known battles of the Civil War. Although said of many battles during the war, the Battle of the Crater, had the mission been executed properly, would have ended the Civil War. The 48th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment is comprised of coal miners, and doing what they do best, they dig a tunnel under Fort Pegram on the Confederate line outside of Petersburg. They pack the magazines of the...more
Even if you don't like Newt Gingrich as a politician, as a historian he is spot on. This was a great historical look into the fiasco that was the Battle of the Crater. the Union army was trying to take Petersburg and if Burnside had had the correct equipment, he may have been able to win the war.
Love all of this series. They write as fiction, but these is a miried of history and actual facts incorporated into the books.
I learned so much about the Colored Troop in this book.
I learned so much about the Colored Troop in this book.
By Newt Gingrich and collaborator. Emphasis on role of African American soldiers and gross stupidy of Union officers - generals. Interesting sub plot of a painter/"spy" and Abe Lincoln.
This story of James and Reverend/Sargent White is superbly written and truly draws you into the gruesome battles, political corruption and electoral decision making at the cost of men's lives. You love and hate the characters, feeling their loss, their personal greed, and true concern for their brothers in arms. I was quite impressed with the story and plan to look into the Colored Civil War Troops more historically on my own. I highly recommend it.
Very much enjoyed this book. Hope the authors stick to Civil War and American Rev titles, as I didn't care for their two works on Pearl harbor and aftermath.
Newt (a historian by training) does usual outstanding job with another Civil War historical fiction story.
See my review at http://salient-points.blogspot.com/20...
Really good and made me go back and read a lot of stuff concerning the rest of the story.
An interesting historical novel of the battle for Petersburg, VA in 1864.
If you are a history junkie, especially about the Civil War you'll love this book.
Gripping account of how petty jealousy, fear and one-upsmanship nearly destroyed the Union army in a battle that should have ended the Civil War
I absolutely love Newt Gingrich's Historical Fiction novels. I find them to be well researched, engrossing and educational to small battles in both the Revolutionary War and Civil War. I always know if he has a new fiction come out, it will move very quickly to the top of my TBR list and this book was no different.
There is so much to learn about the Civil War.
Decent book. It was pretty cool to learn that some of it was actually based on truth.
Virginia is rich with Civil War History and my children lived in Petersburg for a short period of time. I was struck by the title while waiting for my husband in a bookstore and it was on sale. I don't think we know enough about what took place during the Civil War. This is a crazy story and it's a 'Novel'. I've read another book about the Crater and this is close but probably makes up stories about the individual participants. It's the idea of creating a tunnel that is extraordinary. Amazing, r...more
very good
Excellent Civil War novel.
Very interesting. The "real" Civil War history.
I hadn't read any details of this battle. It was an amazing plot to destroy a fortress and route the Rebel army. Of course, things never go as planned.
Would have given it 5 stars, but spelling errors and some grammar issues dropped it to 4
May 20, 2013
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Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich (born Newton Leroy McPherson) is an American politician who served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. In 1995, Time magazine selected him as the Person of the Year for his role in leading the Republican Revolution in the House, ending 40 years of the Democratic Party being in the majority. During his tenure as Speaker, he re...more
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