Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg by James M. McPherson

Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg by James M. McPherson-141 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

McPherson takes readers on a "tour" of the grounds of the Gettysburg battlefield. He discusses many monuments and dedications on the grounds. Stories about several officers and soldiers on both sides, Union and Confederate, are included. I was already familiar with some of the stories, but not all. For instance, there were a couple of Confederates from the town of Gettysburg who fought here. One was related to the Culp family for whom Culp's Hill was named. His name was Wesley Culp and he was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg. 

McPherson also dispels a few myths surrounding the Battle of Gettysburg. One of these dispelled myths involves a spring on the battlefield. Supposedly, at the end of the second day of battle Confederate and Union soldiers declared a truce and shared water from the springs. However, according to McPherson there are no accounts which support this myth. An account from a Union soldier relates that he approached the spring but slowly backed away when he saw Confederate soldiers already there. He dispels several other myths in addition to this one. 

Overall, I really liked this short book. I want to visit Gettysburg National Military Park even more now. The only qualm I have is that there are no images of monuments that the author visits. It would have been nice to have even a small image of some of the monuments the author mentions. This is why I didn't give it five stars.

Rebels Resurgent: Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville by William K. Goolrick

Rebels Resurgent: Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville by William K. Goolrick-176 pages

I am going to ALA in Washington, D.C. this summer and taking a little vacation afterwards. One of the places I am planning to visit is Fredericksburg, Virginia, so I am reading more on the battle. I am somewhat of a Civil War historian already, but I want to continue to grow in my knowledge on the subject and I am very excited to visit Fredericksburg. So many battles took place near Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War and I eventually really want to see all of them (as many as possible, at least). I enjoyed this refresher on the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville and it still baffles me how inept many of the commanders of the Army of the Potomac (Union) were, especially in the early years.

Women of the Blue & Gray: True Civil War Stories of Mothers, Medics, Soldiers, and Spies by Marianne Monson

Women of the Blue & Gray: True Civil War Stories of Mothers, Medics, Soldiers, and Spies by Marianne Monson-230 pages

I read this for the Non-fiction challenge this month. I also happen to be very interested in Civil War history. I learned quite a bit about women in the Civil War. Some women disguised themselves as men and enlisted and others followed husbands or brothers into enlistment. One woman, Jennie Hodgers, took the identity of a man named Albert D. J. Cashier to enlist and went by that name and dressed as a man for nearly 50 years after the Civil War before she was discovered. Many women served as spies, nurses, and doctors during the war, also. Although, it would take many years and much cajoling for many of the women who served in these capacities to be paid for their service. Women had to volunteer (and not get paid) as nurses or doctors to start the war. Women such as Lydia Maria Child, Harriet Tubman, Susie Baker King Taylor, Clara Barton, the Grimke sisters, Mother Bickerdyke, Dr. Mary Walker, Ellen Orbison Harris, Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Harriet Jacobs, Cornelia Peake McDonald, and Virginia Mason McLean (who had the distinction of witnessing both the first real battle and the surrender of Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia near her house) are discussed in various detail, along with many others. I found this to be an informative, enlightening read.

The Smoke at Dawn: A Novel of the Civil War by Jeff Shaara

The Smoke at Dawn: A Novel of the Civil War by Jeff Shaara-495 pages

I enjoyed reading this one a lot. It is a novelization of the Battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge (a.k.a. the Battles for Chattanooga). I have been to Lookout Mountain and it is a sight to see. To my knowledge, the novel is as historically accurate as a novelization can be. Jeff Shaara is becoming one of my favorite authors. He takes history and humanizes it in an intriguing, attention-grabbing way. Both books of his that I have read have been page-turners. I like that he focuses on a few of the key figures and tells the story from each of their perspectives. I am somewhat of a Civil War "expert," though, so I realize his books aren't for everyone.

A Blaze of Glory by Jeff Shaara

A Blaze of Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Shiloh by Jeff Shaara-435 pages

This is Shaara's novelization of the bloody Battle of Shiloh. I wanted to read this because I have seen the films Gettysburg and Gods and Generals several times, which are based on novels written by him (and/or his father). Additionally, I was a Visitor Use Assistant/Park Ranger at Shiloh National Military Park for 11 weeks during the summer of 2010 and actually worked under and with some of the people mentioned as sources for the novel. It's cool to read a novelization on a battle I know quite a bit about and it is a pretty accurate novelization. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and really want to read the rest of Shaara's Civil War novels.