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The Maps of First Bull Run: An Atlas of the First Bull Run (Manassas) Campaign, including the Battle of Ball's Bluff, June-October 1861
Bradley M. Gottfried’s The Maps of First Bull An Atlas of the First Bull Run (Manassas) Campaign, including the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, June - October 1861 is the eagerly awaited companion volume to his bestselling The Maps of Gettysburg (2007, two editions, four printings), part of the ongoing Savas Beatie Atlas Series.
The Maps of First Bull Run breaks down the entire operation (and related actions) into numerous map sets or “action-sections” enriched with more than fifty full-color original full-page maps. These cartographic originals bore down to the regimental and battery level and include the march to and from the battlefield and virtually every significant event in between. At least two—and as many as seventeen—maps accompany each “action-section.” Keyed to each piece of cartography is a full facing page of detailed text describing the units, personalities, movements, and combat (including quotes from eyewitnesses) depicted on the accompanying map, all of which make the story of First Bull Run come alive.
This original presentation makes it easy for readers to quickly locate a map and text on virtually any portion of the campaign. Readers will maneuver with Confederate and Union armies in the Shenandoah Valley, march with General McDowell’s Federals to the plains of Manassas, and fight blow-by-blow through the battle up to its stunning climax on Henry House Hill and the final retreat from the battlefield all the way to Washington. The smaller but important Battle of Ball’s Bluff is also covered in the same fashion, as is the skirmish at Lewinsville. Serious students will appreciate the extensive and authoritative endnotes, bibliography, and complete orders of battle. They will also want to bring the book along on their trips to the battlefields.
Perfect for the easy chair or for walking hallowed ground, The Maps of First Bull Run is a seminal work that, like his earlier Gettysburg study, belongs on the bookshelf of every serious and casual student of the Civil War.
About the Bradley M. Gottfried, Ph.D., is the President of the College of Southern Maryland. An avid Civil War historian, Dr. Gottfried is the author of five books, including Brigades of The Union and Confederate Brigades at the Battle of Gettysburg (2002) and The Maps of Gettysburg (2007). He is currently working with co-editor Theodore P. Savas on a Gettysburg Campaign encyclopedia.
The Maps of First Bull Run breaks down the entire operation (and related actions) into numerous map sets or “action-sections” enriched with more than fifty full-color original full-page maps. These cartographic originals bore down to the regimental and battery level and include the march to and from the battlefield and virtually every significant event in between. At least two—and as many as seventeen—maps accompany each “action-section.” Keyed to each piece of cartography is a full facing page of detailed text describing the units, personalities, movements, and combat (including quotes from eyewitnesses) depicted on the accompanying map, all of which make the story of First Bull Run come alive.
This original presentation makes it easy for readers to quickly locate a map and text on virtually any portion of the campaign. Readers will maneuver with Confederate and Union armies in the Shenandoah Valley, march with General McDowell’s Federals to the plains of Manassas, and fight blow-by-blow through the battle up to its stunning climax on Henry House Hill and the final retreat from the battlefield all the way to Washington. The smaller but important Battle of Ball’s Bluff is also covered in the same fashion, as is the skirmish at Lewinsville. Serious students will appreciate the extensive and authoritative endnotes, bibliography, and complete orders of battle. They will also want to bring the book along on their trips to the battlefields.
Perfect for the easy chair or for walking hallowed ground, The Maps of First Bull Run is a seminal work that, like his earlier Gettysburg study, belongs on the bookshelf of every serious and casual student of the Civil War.
About the Bradley M. Gottfried, Ph.D., is the President of the College of Southern Maryland. An avid Civil War historian, Dr. Gottfried is the author of five books, including Brigades of The Union and Confederate Brigades at the Battle of Gettysburg (2002) and The Maps of Gettysburg (2007). He is currently working with co-editor Theodore P. Savas on a Gettysburg Campaign encyclopedia.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2009
About the author
Bradley M. Gottfried
32 books5 followersBorn and raised in Philadelphia, Brad Gottfried earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University and spent the four decades as an educator in higher education. He has served as a full-time faculty member, department head, campus dean, chief academic officer and president. Before retiring in 2017, he served as President of Sussex County Community College (NJ) and College of Southern Maryland for the past 17 years.
His interest in the Civil War began at an early age and was rekindled when he returned to an administrative position in the Philadelphia area. His fourteenth book was recently published. His early writing primarily centered on the Battle of Gettysburg, and he wrote five books on this topic. He has also written two brigade-level histories. His current “niche” is map books, where he thoroughly describes campaigns through the use of maps. Seven books have been published in this series: Gettysburg, First Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cavalry at Gettysburg, Bristoe/Mine Run, and the Wilderness, have been published. The Maps of Spotsylvania through Cold Harbor will be published next. He is also working on a variety of other Civil War related projects.
In addition to writing, Brad is an Antietam Certified Battlefield Guide and a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide. He may have retired, but he is still an educator.
Brad is married to his wife, Linda and between them they have four grown children and six grandchildren. The Gottfrieds moved from Southern Maryland to Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, which is just west of Gettysburg.
His interest in the Civil War began at an early age and was rekindled when he returned to an administrative position in the Philadelphia area. His fourteenth book was recently published. His early writing primarily centered on the Battle of Gettysburg, and he wrote five books on this topic. He has also written two brigade-level histories. His current “niche” is map books, where he thoroughly describes campaigns through the use of maps. Seven books have been published in this series: Gettysburg, First Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cavalry at Gettysburg, Bristoe/Mine Run, and the Wilderness, have been published. The Maps of Spotsylvania through Cold Harbor will be published next. He is also working on a variety of other Civil War related projects.
In addition to writing, Brad is an Antietam Certified Battlefield Guide and a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide. He may have retired, but he is still an educator.
Brad is married to his wife, Linda and between them they have four grown children and six grandchildren. The Gottfrieds moved from Southern Maryland to Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, which is just west of Gettysburg.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 27, 2020
Good book, but being among the first in the series, this is before Gottfried really hit his stride.
July 8, 2022
Maps are very clear and easy to understand as they are a full page size. Each map has a description on opposing facing page. Book covers beginning of moves by both armies, battle of Bull Run and then the follow on disaster at Balls Bluff.
Author technically offers no new information other then an excellent collection of maps for this campaign. Can not wait to read more of this collection.
Author technically offers no new information other then an excellent collection of maps for this campaign. Can not wait to read more of this collection.
March 1, 2022
A very good atlas of the battle. The maps are gorgeous.
November 1, 2024
I have been to Manassas National Battlefield Park (aka Bull Run) multiple times and it is truly an underrated gem. Two major battles happened here and many men from both sides lost their lives in a war that absolutely tore our country apart. Bull Run was the first major battle of the war and it convinced both sides it was not going to be a quick war.
Bradley Gottfried has written several map books of various Civil War battles. They are excellent resources because they show the troop movements, he explains what happened and we can see the geography of the area. This book was hard to find and I really wanted it. Prior to purchasing this book, I only had John Hennessey's book, which is an excellent book, but I wanted this one to add to my collection. I tried the Kindle version and it was hard to read. Fortunately, I found a hardcover version and got it. It was not a disappointment. Last year, I hiked the battlefield with my dad and the book showed so much I had not known before. I was able to stand where Dr. Gottfried explained what had happened on July 21st, 1861. A must have for Civil War buffs.
Bradley Gottfried has written several map books of various Civil War battles. They are excellent resources because they show the troop movements, he explains what happened and we can see the geography of the area. This book was hard to find and I really wanted it. Prior to purchasing this book, I only had John Hennessey's book, which is an excellent book, but I wanted this one to add to my collection. I tried the Kindle version and it was hard to read. Fortunately, I found a hardcover version and got it. It was not a disappointment. Last year, I hiked the battlefield with my dad and the book showed so much I had not known before. I was able to stand where Dr. Gottfried explained what had happened on July 21st, 1861. A must have for Civil War buffs.
November 7, 2012
Short but detailed, this book provides a very good description of the battle of First Bull Run and of the later battle at Ball's Bluff. Each page provides a moment-by-moment map of the battle with accompanying narration. I'm not a big Civil War fan, and this book provides an excellent description of the battles at just the right level of detail for me.
November 22, 2015
Excellent introduction to the first battle of Bull Run. I like the format where every page of text has a corresponding map on the facing page.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews