High Tide at Gettysburg

Rating:
Summary: A Good Introduction to the Battle of Gettysburg
Review: The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863) is the most - discussed battle of the Civil War. It provides endless materials for discussion on questions ranging from the reasons for the Confederacy's invasion of the North, the factors leading up to the battle, the strategy and tactics employed by the armies, how close the South came, or could have come, to achieving victory, and -- most importantly -- the significance of it all for our country.

Even with such recent studies of Gettysburg as those by Steven Sears (2003) and Noah Trudeau (2002) Tucker's 1958 book, "High Tide at Gettysburg" remains worth reading. There are immeasurable perspectives on this battle. I am finding that the reader can only work towards an understanding of it by reading several accounts. Tucker's book is less detailed than are the studies of Sears and Trudeau. But it is an easier read, it is well told, and it features many interesting biographical detail an many of the key figures of the battle. In terms of getting a grasp of the complex military actions, it might be better for the reader to start with Tucker before approaching Sears or Trudeau.

Tucker differs from Sears and Trudeau in that he takes a pro-South perspective. His focus is on the Army of Northern Virginia and on its heroics -- and its failures -- during the battle. There are moments when I felt Tucker was downplaying the Union effort at the battle to such a degree that he thought that the ultimate success or failure of the Southern effort was entirely in the South's hands. (Many years after the battle General George Pickett was asked why his charge failed. He replied "I think the Union Army had something to do with it.")

Tucker also takes a markedly Southern view of the meaning of the War. He sees it as a War for Southern Independence which reached its high tide at Gettysburg. He tells his story with drama and passion. He greatly downplays slavery as a motivating factor for the Civil War, contrary to most more recent accounts of Civil War History. Again, he also tends to minimize the moral force of the Union's commitment, exemplified by the determination of President Lincoln to hold our country together as one nation rather than have it divide in two.

Tucker's approach is valuable because it emphasizes how people on both sides of the conflict were fighting for what they perceived as ideals. This is sometimes forgotten in more recent accounts and it goes a considerably way to explain the ferocity of the fighting. There is a great deal to be learned from Tucker as long as the reader approaches the book critically.

There has been endless discussion about why the Battle of Gettysburg turned out the way it did. In the final chapter of his book Tucker offers a list of his reasons. His list is thoughtful if not particularly surprising to students of the battle. The list will help the reader focus on the critical events of this fascinating battle and to reflect for him or herself on their meaning.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Introduction to the Battle of Gettysburg
Review: The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- July 3, 1863) is the most - discussed battle of the Civil War. It provides endless materials for discussion on questions ranging from the reasons for the Confederacy's invasion of the North, the factors leading up to the battle, the strategy and tactics employed by the armies, how close the South came, or could have come, to achieving victory, and -- most importantly -- the significance of it all for our country.

Even with such recent studies of Gettysburg as those by Steven Sears (2003) and Noah Trudeau (2002) Tucker's 1958 book, "High Tide at Gettysburg" remains worth reading. There are immeasurable perspectives on this battle. I am finding that the reader can only work towards an understanding of it by reading several accounts. Tucker's book is less detailed than are the studies of Sears and Trudeau. But it is an easier read, it is well told, and it features many interesting biographical detail an many of the key figures of the battle. In terms of getting a grasp of the complex military actions, it might be better for the reader to start with Tucker before approaching Sears or Trudeau.

Tucker differs from Sears and Trudeau in that he takes a pro-South perspective. His focus is on the Army of Northern Virginia and on its heroics -- and its failures -- during the battle. There are moments when I felt Tucker was downplaying the Union effort at the battle to such a degree that he thought that the ultimate success or failure of the Southern effort was entirely in the South's hands. (Many years after the battle General George Pickett was asked why his charge failed. He replied "I think the Union Army had something to do with it.")

Tucker also takes a markedly Southern view of the meaning of the War. He sees it as a War for Southern Independence which reached its high tide at Gettysburg. He tells his story with drama and passion. He greatly downplays slavery as a motivating factor for the Civil War, contrary to most more recent accounts of Civil War History. Again, he also tends to minimize the moral force of the Union's commitment, exemplified by the determination of President Lincoln to hold our country together as one nation rather than have it divide in two.

Tucker's approach is valuable because it emphasizes how people on both sides of the conflict were fighting for what they perceived as ideals. This is sometimes forgotten in more recent accounts and it goes a considerably way to explain the ferocity of the fighting. There is a great deal to be learned from Tucker as long as the reader approaches the book critically.

There has been endless discussion about why the Battle of Gettysburg turned out the way it did. In the final chapter of his book Tucker offers a list of his reasons. His list is thoughtful if not particularly surprising to students of the battle. The list will help the reader focus on the critical events of this fascinating battle and to reflect for him or herself on their meaning.

Rating:
Summary: New to Gettysburg? Which book do you read?
Review: Tucker takes the entire battle beginning to end and places it together for the novice reader. Where does the "first-timer" look for a well rounded book on the battle? He or she may find it here. Tucker does an excellent job getting the basis for the battle complete while covering issues such as Lee's Campaign, Heth's attack, Longstreet's flank march, Little Round Top, Culp's Hill, the Pickett/Pettigrew charge and of course Lee's retreat from Pennsylvania. Don't let the word novice scare you or the fact that it was written in the late fifties sway your decision. Tucker includes many details and backs them up with roughly 400 pages of information valuable to anyone looking to gain further insight on Gettysburg. Does Tucker grab everything common in books covering certain days or events in Gettysburg? No. Though for someone trying to understand and get the general format of the battle, this is the book to read.

Rating:
Summary: New to Gettysburg? Which book do you read?
Review: Tucker takes the entire battle beginning to end and places it together for the novice reader. Where does the "first-timer" look for a well rounded book on the battle? He or she may find it here. Tucker does an excellent job getting the basis for the battle complete while covering issues such as Lee's Campaign, Heth's attack, Longstreet's flank march, Little Round Top, Culp's Hill, the Pickett/Pettigrew charge and of course Lee's retreat from Pennsylvania. Don't let the word novice scare you or the fact that it was written in the late fifties sway your decision. Tucker includes many details and backs them up with roughly 400 pages of information valuable to anyone looking to gain further insight on Gettysburg. Does Tucker grab everything common in books covering certain days or events in Gettysburg? No. Though for someone trying to understand and get the general format of the battle, this is the book to read.