Before Antietam: The Battle for South Mountain

by John Michael Priest

Book Overview

Civil War buffs and scholars quickly recognize the dates of September 16-18, 1862 as the period marking the bloodiest battle of the entire campaign--Antietam. But until now, the ten days prior to that event have remained in relative obscurity. In Before Antietem, John Michael Priest offers the first book-length, tactical exploration of the Maryland campaign and the Battles of South Mountain, describing the decisive events leading up to the famous...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195107128
• ISBN13: 9780195107128
• Release Date: November 1996
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A meticulous study of the little known prelude to Antietam.

Those of us who have enjoyed Priest's other works on Antietam and the Wilderness will find this book comparable. Advantages: meticulous, hour-by-hour study from a soldier's eye view--- once again, thoroughly researched bringing to light many unpublished materials from diaries, letters, etc. This book differs from others in that it covers a number of little-known cavalry skirmishes that preceeded the battles on South Mountain. Also has some very interesting accounts of marches through Maryland towns and gives a civilians' perspective. Weaknesses: detailed maps once again are in Priest's hand-drawn style. The events described in the text can be hard to follow because the maps are dominated by terrain features, while military units and road names can be difficult to see. The book also ends much too abruptly-- there is no summary chapter that gives an overview of the events and personalities described in the book. This said, the book is therefore NOT recommended fo! ! r readers who are new to the subjects at hand. On the other hand, dedicated students of the Civil War and those interested in studying military tactics will find it to be an outstanding contribution to the field.

Extremely well written!

This is one of the best Civil War books I have read. Priest gives an excellent account of the battles for South Mountain, from the Private's as well as the General's points of view. Standing in Fox Gap as I did after reading the book, I could hear the muskets and the cries, smell the smoke, and feel the overwhelming sense of tragedy and triumph. I salute Mr. Priest for his presentation of a very human perspective of the battle, contrasting with what are typically dry accounts. The maps are numerous, providing a clear picture of how the battle transpired. But I too wish that they were of better quality.Please read this book (you can get an autographed copy at the Antietam visitor's center).

Interesting & informative account of forgotten battle

This was the first book of John Michael Priest that I had ever read and I found it to be a well researched and well presented account of the 'Battle for South Mountain'. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered his other book "Antietam: The soldiers Battle' as soon as I finished this book. He presents the fighting through the eyes of the Northern and Southern soldiers and it is done is such an easy manner that the narrative flows along quite well. The only criticism I have of the book itself is the standard of the maps. There is quite a number of maps that assist the reader to follow the accounts of the fighting but I believe that he could have done a better job in their presentation. Overall this book offers the reader a very good account of this forgotten battle. Well worth the money.

Fantastic Book!!

This book is, without question, THE BEST that I have ever read about the battles of South Mountain. Telling the story from the viewpoint of the ordinary soldier, Priest begins at 2nd Bull Run and continues through the battles at Turner's Gap, Fox's Gap, and Crampton's Gap. Priest doesn't guess about anything - he cites everything (almost all original material). And when there is a conflict, he tells you. In addition, there are NUMEROUS maps: at times a map for every page of text. He puts you in the field with the soldiers, behind the stone wall with the tall corn in front. The book shows the humorous, the sad, the vicious, and the amazingly courageous sides of men. I could not put it down. If you don't know much about South Mountain, this book will get you interested. If you are already interested in South Mountain and Antietam, this book will be an invaluable resource. I shall certainly bring it along on my next visit there. Read it - you will be thrilled