A review by mark_lm
Gettysburg: The Last Invasion by Allen C. Guelzo

4.0

An excellent history of the battle of Gettysburg. Does a good job with most necessary background information. Seemed very good on the effect of the various commanders' political associations. Also good on the various arguments in the years after the war and how opinions have changed. Covered some things in welcome detail, e.g. the kidnapping of free Blacks in Pennsylvania by Lee's advancing army and the myth of their restraint from pilferage, that I have seen ignored elsewhere. Had an interesting comment about an impromptu speech that Lincoln gave prior to writing the Gettysburg address that contained several of the same thematic elements. I always have to remind myself about the regimental system of the time, so if they say the 2nd Delaware Cavalry, I know about how big a unit that was and who would have been commanding it - I recommend the Wikipedia page entitled "Infantry in the American Civil War".