Battle of Gettysburg

American Heritage Junior Library

by Bruce Catton

American Heritage Junior Library

Genres: History, Civil War, American History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Military History, American Civil War

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Bruce Catton was a distinguished American historian and journalist, best known for his influential writings on the American Civil War. Renowned for his narrative style, Catton brought history to life through richly drawn characters, vivid battlefield descriptions, and a deep understanding of the political and emotional forces that shaped the era. His accessible yet meticulously researched books made him one of the most popular historians of the twentieth century.
Born in Petoskey, Michigan, and raised in the small town of Benzonia, Catton grew up surrounded by Civil War veterans whose personal stories sparked a lifelong fascination with the conflict. Though he briefly attended Oberlin College, Catton left during World War I and served in the U.S. Navy. He later began a career in journalism, working as a reporter, editor, and Washington correspondent. His experience in government service during World War II inspired his first book, The War Lords of Washington (1948).
Catton achieved national acclaim with his Army of the Potomac trilogy—Mr. Lincoln’s Army (1951), Glory Road (1952), and A Stillness at Appomattox (1953)—the last of which earned him the Pulitzer Prize for History and the National Book Award. He went on to publish a second trilogy, The Centennial History of the Civil War, and contributed two volumes to a biography of Ulysses S. Grant, begun by Lloyd Lewis. His other notable works include This Hallowed Ground, The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War, and Waiting for the Morning Train, a memoir of his Michigan boyhood.
In 1954, Catton became the founding editor of American Heritage magazine, further shaping the public’s understanding of U.S. history. In 1977, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Catton’s legacy endures through his vivid portrayals of America’s most defining conflict and his enduring influence on historical writing.

Reviews

[Katherine Addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

[library]
Does exactly what it promises on the tin.

This is a short book, and very tightly focused: a little bit of lead up, the three days of Gettysburg, and a little bit of aftermath. Catton is one of the great historians of the American Civil War, so the explanation is very clear and the prose is top-notch. I never quite got the who's who sorted out, but that's my problem as much as his.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Review of the Audiobook

Published by Highbridge, a division of Recorded Books in January of 2017
Read by Eric Martin
Duration: 3 hours, 4 minutes
Unabridged

I love Bruce Catton's histories of the Civil War. As a rule Bruce Catton (1899-1978) wrote histories that are easy to read, thorough enough to give the reader a solid grasp of the issues and peppered with well-told human interest stories.

This history of Gettysburg feels a bit disjointed, sort of like it was a knitted together from a series of articles that Catton wrote for American Heritage magazine. For example, it spends a lot of time looking at the events just before the battle and skips one of the more dramatic and important moments of the battle on the second day (Little Round Top).

However, the exaggerated emphasis on the first day ...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2017/...

[Cameron Rhoads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tactical description of the battle. Dated, but still good.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and superficial account of the battle

Bruce Caton is a renowned historian and his books on the Civil War are great examples of popular history. This book however seems to show little of his storytelling skill. It's simply a brief recounting of the facts. Only telling the story of Picket's Charge does the book come alive.

[Peter McGinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bruce Catton wrote a lot of books about the Civil War and is sort of an icon of the genre. I may be mistaken, but I sort of see this as a book for beginners about the battle of Gettysburg. The book doesn’t drill down into details at all, and except for odd side stories, such as concerning the death of civilian Jennie Wade, we only read about the major players of the battle. His writing is crisp and informal suited to those not used to reading in depth analysis of what took place there. As such, it is a great entry in the genre, allowing those newbies to dip their toe into the vast ocean of Civil War non-fiction. It was perhaps less interesting was a long-time reader of history such as myself, but I can still admire it for its quality.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than 51,000 Union and Confederate soldiers would die on the bloodiest battle of the Civil War.

My family vacationed in Gettysburg Pennsylvania. It's strange saying that since the ground around the town is hallowed. We took a tour of that ground. I could imagine the soldiers rushing at each other. It was the same on one scene of "Remember the Titans" where Coach Boone took the team to the battleground, then gave a speech on how they must come together.

This book vividly brought the battle to action in my imagination. It was personal, making it horrible. I pray we never see this ever again.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An overview of the Battle of Gettysburg that provides with the main facts and points in a simple and easy to understand and follow. I have read many other books on the American Civil War that have covered Gettysburg but this is the first one focused on this crucial battle that was the last where the Confederates were on the offensive in Union territory. There were a number of blunders made by Robert E. Lee that led to disaster for the South and forced them to withdraw. This ended their plan to negotiate a peace from a position of strength.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version, which distilled the essential elements of the Battle into an interesting, fast-paced narrative about both sides and the battle that changed the course of the Civil War. Catton is well-known for his Civil War history adeptness. Read Guelzo's Gettysburg: The Last Invasion for an in-depth history of this important Battle.

[William Razavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catton is a great storyteller and his prose is brilliant. And if this was just a story we could leave it at that. But this is history and it is contested history at that. Like much of Catton's other work it is well researched and very well written, but it is also a little too smooth and a little too mythical. Catton brings people to life for this history but they are archetypes of people and not real. His Lee is the quintessential "Marble Man" and his presentation of the events of Gettysburg is stirring, but maybe a little too stirring without thinking hard enough about what is being stirred.
Also, the author's occasional asides to the audience are a little condescending and unnecessary. Other authors in this series presented military matters without needing to use a parenthetical comment about how it resembled a football game because they presumed the audiences ability to follow along with the story. Catton didn't need to do that here.
It's hard for me to rate this book down too much because of its ginger treatment of the Confederacy because as I said Catton does tell a great story. Unfortunately, it's not the story we need these days.

[Alexander J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intellectual comfort food. Certainly correct about the significance of Gettysburg to America being partially about the Gettysburg address. I’m already very familiar with this story and its geography, but I still enjoy hearing about it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook at night. Eyes closed. I could vividly picture the entire battle. The prose was easy to follow and the narrator was excellent. I plan on reading/listening to more of Catton’s exceptional Civil War books.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible

[Gingerholli · Rating 3 out of 5]

An account of the bloodiest battle of the civil War. Informative .

[Corinne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfinished

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I short refresher on an important battle in our history.

[Don Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done, solid history of the battle.

[Steven Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical bio

Not the best of Bruce Catton but still beautifully written and very descriptive. Thank you for a story of men at their best and worst. May god comfort all of them.

[Mike Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short version of Catton's work, but informative nonetheless. Catton was one of the great Civil War historians so his take on Gettysburg is essential reading.

[Hank Hoeft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another excellent book in the American Heritage Junior Library series, written by prominent Civil War historian Bruce Catton. Although it is a book aimed at a grade school or middle school audience, Catton never condescends to his reader. The book is well-written and provides an excellent and concise account of the "largest battle ever fought on North American soil," and also provides an account of events leading up to the battle as well as its aftermath, which puts the battle into context within the larger framework of the American Civil War and U.S. history.

[Kevin Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lacked some vital historic battle information.

I had read Mr. Catton's 3 volume Civil war series and enjoyed them very much.
This book about Gettysburg passed over some key battles such as the 20th Maine commanded by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin. They defended the extreme far left position a top Little Roundtop on July 2nd. The book leaves this key struggle out completely!

I just expected more I guess. Thanks!

[dave semrud · Rating 2 out of 5]

Little Disappointed

I've read almost everything Bruce Catton has written. I'm a hugh admirer off his and that's why, I guess, I'm disappointed with this book. It doesn't seem to have his touch. Almost like he didn't write it. I thought maybe it's something he wrote in college and then somebody else edited it or used his notes. Still not a bad read just not what I'm use to from him.

[James Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Battle of Gettysburg

This is a very intense book. The author carries the action in vivid mental pictures. It seems to carry right into the decision making through to the action and in to the aftermath. I can almost hear the guns, the whistle of the bullets, the crash of cannonball and the smells.

[Charles Woodworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can almost hear the guns, the whistle of the bullets, the crash of cannonball and the smells.
flag The author put a lot of action in it. The characters seem like they are real. The ending is really intense. Anyone who is interested in the Civil War would really like this book.

[Colette Guerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the personal stories shared, wish there had been more... Excellent short re-accounting.

[Carolyn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not up to Mr. Catton's usual standard

And the editing is atrocious. Take the time and read his earlier works rather than waste your time on this so-much-lesser piece.

[Sarah Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Battlefield tactics, minute by minute, blow by blow.

[Cristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Photos are fantastic!