The Star of Gettysburg A Story of Southern High Tide

The Civil War #5

by Joseph Alexander Altsheler

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Civil War, Historical Fiction, War, Historical, Fiction, Ebooks

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1915

About the author

Joseph Alexander Altsheler was an American newspaper reporter, editor and author of popular juvenile historical fiction. He was a prolific writer, and produced fifty-one novels and at least fifty-three short stories. Thirty-two of his novels were part of his seven series:

The Civil War Series (8 volumes)
The French and Indian War Series (6 volumes)
The Gold Series (2 volumes)
The Great West Series (2 volumes)
The Texan Series (3 volumes)
The World War Series (3 volumes)
The Young Trailers Series (8 volumes)

Although each of the thirty-two novels constitutes an independent story, Altsheler suggested a reading order for each series (i.e., he numbered the volumes). The remaining nineteen novels can be read in any order. [Note, however, that A Knight of Philadelphia was later expanded through the addition of nineteen chapters and some minor tweaks to become Mr. Altsheler's novel In Hostile Red.]

The short stories, of course, can be read in any order. However, some readers might prefer to read them in the order in which they were published. The short story list below is displayed in chronological order with the publication dates shown alongside the titles.

Reviews

[Becky Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before starting this series, I had a general knowledge of the Civil War and it's characters. Now, I feel as though I know a lot more about it than I was taught in school. I realize this is Historical Fiction and has taken a few liberties here and there (though Altsheler assures us he has done his best to minimize it). There are parts of the battles that go unseen and you don't know the motives of the Generals and the behind the scenes things happening in places like Washington, but I think that's good because it humanizes the story. If the main characters knew everything, it would feel less real. I like that these boys are brave and willing and moral and I like that Altsheler brings out the human side and the random friendships even among the enemies. I have to say, I didn't know more than a passing amount about Stonewall Jackson before, but he has become one of my favorite characters of the Civil War and I was sad to see him go. I like how Altsheler gives foreboding hints and clues of what's to come to keep you reading, and if you already know your history, to give you a little reward for knowing what's coming already. I plan to go through this series in depth with the kids.

[Anne Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like reading the movie “Gods and Generals”

A civil war buff’s dream, this book delivers exactly what happened or at least as good as history can remember. At times I felt like I was watching that famous movie mentioned above from Fredericksburg to Gettysburg. By the way, if you haven’t seen that movie you should. All the feelings of the Lost Cause are brought to the forefront through the protagonist, Harry, when his beloved General, Stonewall Jackson is lost. I cried at the famous general’s last words “Let us Cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.”

[Raymond Burchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story

I am always saddened when reading about the Civil War and the huge loss of life on both sides plus the huge loss of animals and it proves the barbaric mentality of one man against another,it was a war that didn't need to happen and society is still feeling the effects of it.

[Cindy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need to know the history of our country as recorded here. I wish we all spent more time learning our history as it was rather than how we perceive it. They were honorable men.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of the Civil War begins before Fredericksburg, then through the Wilderness Campaign and the Battle of Chancellorsville and ends after Gettysburg. The primary protagonist is a young junior officer on the staff of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Although the book doesn’t go into great detail with army movements and deployments, it does give the reader a good overall feeling of the war without displaying the horrors experienced on both sides. The book follows the southern army but doesn’t show and prejudice or tolerance for either side. It is a tale for Americans; the Civil War was a war of brother against brother and at every action Americans suffered and died on both sides. Joseph Altsheler wrote many books for youthful readers about the United States. I wouldn’t hesitate to read any or all of them and highly recommend this one to everyone.

[Monte Lamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Civil War series covering the time in the east after Antietam through Gettysburg. It is covered from the southern side. It's typical of the other books which do a good job of describing the war for young readers. I strongly recommend this series for the interested teenager that wants to learn about the Civil War.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, the best book of the series. Especially good accounts of the battles at Fredericksburg, The Wilderness, and Gettysburg.