Last Chance for Victory: Robert E. Lee and the Gettysburg Campaign

by Scott Bowden, Bill Ward, Bill Ward, et al.

Book Overview

Gettysburg is the most written about battle in American military history. Generations after nearly 50,000 soldiers shed their blood there, serious and fundamental misunderstandings persist about Robert E. Lee's generalship during the campaign and battle. Most are the basis of popular myths about the epic fight. Last Chance for Victory: Robert E. Lee and the Gettysburg Campaign addresses these issues by studying Lee's choices before, during,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306812614
• ISBN13: 9780306812613
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 640 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.3" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Gettysburg for People Who Can Think (and finish reading)

After reading some of the "hit reviews" about this book on this site, I'm reminded why so many critics either don't read what it is that they are criticizing, or simply are unable to process the detailed discussions presented by these authors. The "hit reviews" of this book are proof positive why uncritically thinking Civil War "buffs" love popularist histories, and how they do not like books that offer critically thinking analysis. "Last Chance for Victory" is a mind-bender, because it challenges almost every incorrect and oft-repeated nonsense about Lee at Gettysburg that has ever been published. And the authors do not excuse Lee for his faults. Instead, they examine the Confederate general and other Southern leaders in a way that exposes the popcorn-chomping, sophomoric approach that wrongly dipicts General Lee and others in the campaign. And while I still have some issues with a couple of the arguments within the book that I may not full agree with, I can never remember a better historical treatment of Robert E. Lee and the explanations of command issues facing the Confederate general on July 1 AND July 2; the three chapters that deal with these days are alone are worth much more than the price of the book.And as for Dennis Callaghan's "hit review"---why don't you try to find a better criticism of "Last Chance for Victory" than by lifting almost verbatim Sears' words from his incredibly mediocre history (which are entirely off-base and incorrect)? By using Sears' words, and passing them off as your own, along with admitting you did not read the book, tells everyone all they need to know.

Best treatment ever of Lee and the Gettysburg campaign

There are numerous reasons why this book is superb, and why it has been named as part of the curriculum at the School of Advanced Military Studies at the United Stated Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.1) The description of Lee's art of war, and the explanation of what Lee believed had to be done in order to give the Confederates the best chance to win is rooted in the lessons of the Great Captains, and has never before been presented this clearly;2) Lee's vision of victory and how he could accomplish same through his operational objectives for the campaign, along with the military, logistical and political forces at work that combined to influence his decision to transfer the defense of Richmond out of Virginia and into the North, and how these continued to bear upon his decisions once the battle was underway, are laid out clearly;3) The Lee-Stuart controversary is dealt with in unprecedented clarity. Bowden and Ward's presentation of the facts and analysis provides, for the first time, a clear understanding of what all the principals involved knew and understood at that time, and how Stuart, once he reached Haymarket, made a decision that violated Lee's restraining orders and resulted in him compromising his command and the trust placed in him by Lee;4) The entire issue of how and why Lee concentrated the Confederate army in the Cashtown-Gettysburg area is explained indetail. The timeline provided by the authors concerning when and where Lee received information, his resulting orders and more, demonstrate the continued implimentation of his operational plan and goals;5) Thank goodness, that for the first time ever, we have two authors that have deleved into thoroughly and explained properly Lee's role in the July 1 fighting. What's more, Bowden and Ward present, for the first time, the entirety of all the issues---and there are many of them---involved with Lee's pursuit orders to Richard Ewell following the battle that day. Further, the authors demonstrate, conclusively in my military opinion, why so many past and present writers. along with so-called students of the battle, are confused over this issue. These are just some of the reasons that the chapter dealing with July 1 is impressive;6) As impressive as the book is up to the battle of July 2, it is my belief that the best part of LAST CHANCE FOR VICTORY are the two chapters that deal with Lee's initial plan of battle, and the actual fighting on July 2. In spite of all that has been previously written about Gettysburg, Bowden and Ward are the first authors I know of that PROPERLY explain Lee's initial plan of action, AND how and why it was modified to the en echelon mode of attack once the Federals realigned their positions on the South end of the field. Lee was present to scout the enemy positions, ascertain those changes, and issue a change of orders accordingly that took into consideration the new relative positions of the armies that was consistent w

The real deal

Other reviewers of this book are correct in assessing this book as one-sided (Confederate) and pro-Lee. Nevertheless, it is well worth the reading.In particular, it has three major benefits.It explicitly and exhaustively explains Napoleonic and contemporary (1860) strategic and tactical thought and technique, and arrives at a favorable comparison of Lee's practice to contemporary practice.It explicitly quotes relevant documents when examining controversial actions. For example, six relevant messages surrounding the orders given to Stuart are repeated verbatim and analyzed as to their meaning. The usual treatment for this kind of material is to footnote it and summarize for conclusions only, leaving (and leading) the lay reader to agree. This book invites the reader to analyze the material, and disagree. It often presents both sides of an argument, but sometimes does not make an opposing argument as strongly as it might be made. The footnotes are extensive, and easy to manage as they are at the end of each chapter.It is particulalry well organized, presenting the battle in chronological fashion. One of the advantages of concentrating on the Confederate side of the battle is that Confederate actions and inactions are presented in a coherent fashion due to this organization.In short, you may disagree with the authors, but you will know why they drew the conclusions they did, and will find that they have strong evidence to support those conclusions.I would recommend that the interested reader read another major work on this battle BEFORE reading this work. The authors clearly assume that the reader is familiar with the battle and the controversies surrounding it. If you can take it, try Coddington. He is definitive, but hard to read. For brilliant literary style, try Foote. A word about me. I am studying to take the National Park Service Examination to be a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg. As part of this study, I have recently read or re-read all of the major works on this battle in a most thorough and exhaustive manner, cross-checking facts and conclusions. In my judgment, this book is the most transparent in how and why the authors reached the conclusions that they did.

A Compelling and Refreshing Look at Gettysburg

This is a well-researched and fresh look at the Battle of Gettysburg. Having read more than 20 books on Gettysburg and countless others on the Civil War, I thought that I knew all there is to know about the epic three day battle.Bowden and Ward pleasantly surprised me with their fresh analysis of this battle and Lee's generalship. They look at the battle from a different perspective. In the process, they shatter (conclusively in my humble opinion) many of the traditions that have grown out of the battle.The tour de force of the book, in my opinion, is the chapter on Day Two. The authors' conclusions are compelling and thought-provoking.While it's a cliche, it's true: once you read this book, you will never think about the Battle of Gettysburg the same.In addition to being thought-provoking and compelling, the book is also an excellent read -- dare I say a page turner!Every serious student of the Civil War and military history should read this book.It is also very approachable for those not entirely familiar with all the nuances of Gettysburg and the Civil War.

A Must for Every War Between the States Student

This is not just another book on Gettysburg. It is a long-overdue study of this important battle written from the point of view of what Lee and his generals knew before and during the 1863 battle. The authors care-fully craft Lee's background and his history and relationship with other leaders including Jefferson Davis and Jeb Stuart. They describe Lee's plans and the actual battle, including the failure of subordinates to effectively utilize their artillery on the disastrous last day. The authors did not base their presentation on how the battle turned out. Instead they explored the actions of the Confederates and analyzed the facts known to Lee, Stuart, and the others to determine the basis for decisions and courses taken. In doing so, Bowden and Ward reach conclusions drastically different than those of many other historians, showing that many of the popular myths about the battle are indeed false. By using Stuart's initial troop movements while Lee was moving north, they show that Stuart did indeed have orders to move north rather than take his wayward ride around the Union forces. They show that Lee's orders to Richard Ewell to take Cemetery Hill were not discretionary. They not only look at actions taken; they also examine options not taken. Lee's generalship in this battle is shown to be much better than often credited to him. The arguments of many of Lee's critics are addressed and refuted in detail. Even a reader with great knowledge of this battle will benefit from this book. It is a "Must Read" for every student of the War.