Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks, MyShelf.Com
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I know what you are thinking - "sigh, another civil war book," but honestly this one is worth picking up because Trudeau's work is detailed and enlightening.

Trudeau's prologue is presented through the eyes of John Beauchamp Jones, a war department clerk. Beauchamp's words reenact what happened in Richmond as the confederate officers, along with the President, made final plans to stop the south from splitting up the country. Trudeau quotes many famous, historic leaders, but he also quotes the common folks. This affected me most. Seeing the war through the words of those living near or at Gettysburg added to the intensity of the read.

Part one and two are titled after spoken or written phrases leading up to the Gettysburg battle. Through these two chapters, readers will learn nearly, if not everything, leading up to the infamous battle - week-by-week, movement-by-movement, Corp-by-Corp. Part three is the battle itself -- hour-by-hour, movement-by-movement, order-by-order. Part four is the conclusion of the battle, which includes various opinions by the confederates as to how they handled Gettysburg. At the back of the book are many sections of information, including the listing of the opposing armies, Brigade by Brigade.

The award winning Trudeau is well known for his other accomplishments - "Bloody Roads South," "The Last Citadel," "Out of the Storm," and "Like Men of War." "Gettysburg" is an extensive 694-page book that covers the infamous three-day battle during the Civil War. The author has done well in leaving no stone unturned in his research. Maps are generously listed at the front, each presenting a day or an important position during the battle. Names, dates, positions, etc are constantly being referred to. Although all are well explained, the overwhelming amount of information is more than one can take in a sitting or two. Without a doubt, "Gettysburg" will be one of those rare volumes given the honor of a permanent place on readers' and historians' shelves, to be referred to again and again. It's a remarkable addition to the many works published on the Civil War and Gettysburg.