Gettysburg, July 1

by David G. Martin

Book Overview

Gettysburg, July 1 presents the most detailed regimental-level account ever written of the critical first day of the Civil War's greatest battle. Using firsthand sources, most of which are unpublished... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0938289810
• ISBN13: 9780938289814
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 732 Pages
• Weight: 3.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Excellent

This book is soooooo good. I read Pfanz Day One and Martin's July 1st back to back, and without a doubt, Martin gets the nod. Pfanz book is wonderful, don't get me wrong, but it reads too matter of factly and there weren't as many of the analytical remarks I was expecting. However, Martin provides many more details, but also a lot of the analytical questions and answers that makes reading about the battles interesting. Maps are excellent and numerous. As usual, a few more wouldn't have hurt, but I'm happy with the ones they had. I read the "revised" version so I had no troubles with the editorial mistakes like some others. Just make sure you get the revised copy. The flow of battle is a little tricky to handle because you have multiple troop movements, engagements, important orders going on at the same exact time. Martin's style is to stick with one "action" all the way through. For instance, the action at Barlow's Knoll leads to Kryz's moving in reenforcements, which leads to Union retreat on the right, which leads to Coster's stand, etc. Then he goes back and handles the entire action of Pender's action which was happening at about the same time. I prefer the style that jumps around from section to section so you can read the actions in a chronological order, but Martin handles his style quite well. Simiply put, the amount of research, details, and nuggets of info (i.e. stories of valor, etc.) are excellent and well worth the price, and make an excellent addition to your civil war book shelf and most certainly your GB collection. This book is for the more advanced student, so beginners are better off starting with an entire campaign or battle book (like Trudeau or Sears) before tackling the micro study.

A Comprehensive Study of the First Day of Gettysburg

The battle of Gettysburg (July 1 -- 3, 1863) continues to fascinate scholarly and lay readers alike. The battle can be explored from innumerable perspectives and with a greater or lesser degree of depth depending upon the interests of the reader. David Martin's study, "Gettysburg, July 1" is a thorough, detailed study of the first day of the battle, of the events leading up to it, and of the impact of the first day's fight on the remainder of the contest. The book examines day 1 of Gettysburg on the macro and micro levels. Martin discusses the strategies of the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia after they stumbled into each other on July 1. But in addition to command decisions, Martin gives great attention to the battle on the division and regimental levels. He also painstakingly describes and analyzes many anecdotes, legends, and accounts of individual soldiers. The detail may make it difficult for the reader to separate the important from the secondary, and it makes the account repetitious at times. Together with his account, Martin offers his own assessment of the course of the battle and of the decisions of the commanders. At times he falls into speculation and into "what-ifs", but he is clear to indicate to the reader when he is doing so. Martin is critical of the Union 11th Corps, of Union Generals Howard and Slocum, of Confederate commander Robert E. Lee and of Confederate Third Corps commander A.P. Hill. He praises the Union First Corps and Generals Meade, Hancock,Reynolds Doubleday, and Buford. His analyses flow well if slowly from his factual presentation. Martin treats his subject with seriousness and respect. The reader would be well advised to begin this book with appendix 2 which is an outstanding account of the topography of the first day's battlefield and of the road network surrounding Gettysburg. These factors are critical in understanding the events of July 1. I also thought the maps in this book were highly useful in understanding the battle. The maps are of two kinds: a "situation" map showing the position of the troops at a given point in time and an "action" map focusing on an incident of the battle -- for example Confederate General Iverson's ill-conceived attack on Baxter's troops early in the afternoon. Discussion of July 1 at Gettysburg almost always focuses on the Confederate's apparent failure to follow-up on their success and attack the heights -- Cemetery and Culp's Hills. Martin does a masterful job of showing how the Confederate decision was in fact a sum of many small decisions. I found his analysis helped me a great deal in sorting out and understanding this controversial issue. Martin concludes that General Lee (not General Ewell, comander of the Confederate Second Corps) was responsible for the decision not to advance on the heights and the attack probably would have been unsuccessful if it had been attempted. As I indicated at the beginning of this review, there are m

Very extensive study

Martin can easily rank up with Harry Pfanz's work. Martin has taken the first day at Gettysburg and offered an absolute, extensive and highly detailed study of the events. Martin rarely misses a regiment's detailed movement that can often be over looked in books that consider only the first day of battle at Gettysburg. It was interesting reading about the 1st Corps movements with General Reynolds and what I liked about Martin's book, was that he was fair and brought myths or otherwise cloudy possibilities to better reasonable conclusion. Events such as where Cavalry was positioned, the death of General Reynolds and even Slocum's slow cautious movements towards Gettysburg where very thorough. Martin also considers the time elements as well. He brings in various witness accounts and has well over 100 pages in references to back up his points. I highly recommend this book for those seeking a very deep understanding of the events on July 1st at Gettysburg. This book may be too deep for novices or people just starting to read about the battle.

A very enjoyable and readable historical text.

Kudos to David Martin! He has demonstrated a rare talent by simultaneously providing historical accuracy while maintaining a vibrant stream of heartfelt prose. Gently carried into the context of Gettysburg, this author drew me ever closer to the battlefield. A subtle transformation then occured and I soon found myself scurrying for cover (through mud, rivers, blood and cannon fire). I strongly encourage this text for anybody with an interest in the civil war (and even those without!)