American Heroes: Joshua Chamberlain and the American Civil War

by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Nikita Andreev (Illustrations)

Paints a fascinating portrait of Joshua Chamberlain, a musician, linguist, college professor, farmer, husband, and father, who, joining the Union Army when the Civil War broke out, became a brilliant strategist and a great leader of men. 75,000 first printing.

Genres: Civil War

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2007

About the author

Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. is an American activist, environmental attorney, and author. Kennedy serves as president of the board of Waterkeeper Alliance, a non-profit environmental group that he helped found in 1999.

He is the third of eleven children of Senator and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_....

Reviews

[Christie Wessels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always felt such pride in Joshua Chamberlain, wise and heroic leader from the state of Maine who helped the Union win the Civil War. This is a wonderful short book about him. I have long been familiar with his and the Miane regiment's role in the Battle of Gettysburg, but I didn't know about all his heroic actions during the rest of the war, or that he was chosen to be the one to accept the formal surrender at the end of the war in recognition of his bravery.

Some quotes from the book:

"Joshua Chamberlain was born September 8, 1828, in Brewer, Maine. His parents required their children to be honest, honorable, and cheerful. Joshua had to practice the knightly traits of humor, courtesy, and generosity."

"Each day he drilled his men tirelessly, a routine that would save their lives and our nation at Gettysburg. 'It is discipline which is the soul of armies,' he later said. 'Other things--moral considerations, impulses of sentiment, and even natural excitement--may lead men to great deeds; but taken in the long run, and in all vicissitudes, an army is effective in proportion to its discipline.'"

"Joshua had faith in his Maine men. Each of them understood the consequences of losing this hill to the Confederates. He saw the bravery and determination in their faces. His men knew that Joshua's calmness masked a heart of steel and the soul of a great warrior."

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

A geography correction - Joshua Chamberlain fell into the Rappahannock River, not the Potomac River, at Fredericksburg.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tells the story of Joshua Chamberlin, a Union Army officer and the major battles of the Civil War. This book is packed with information about the battles and personal conversations he had with other officers and commanders. Great biography to use to find information about Union soldiers and/or the Civil War.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another aptly mamed American hero. Having just visited Gettsyburg and seeing the Maine monuments and Little Round Top, I was very interested in this account. Kennedy did a fair job of selecting and weaving interesting points of Chamberlain's life. I'm not sure this would capture the attention of someone without a specific interest, unless in the hands of a skilled teacher!

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written account of Chamberlain's life focusing on his time with the Union Army during the Civil War, especially his defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg. Written for children, the book features a clear narration, and examines the terms of an heroic life.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short bio of Joshua Chamberlin, Northern Civil War Hero. Not one to read-aloud to the toddlers, but a great one for elementary school age kids.