GETTYSBURG: THE LONG ENCAMPMENT

Gettysburg ... is a long, haunted history"", writes the author of this latest book on the battle in his foreword. ""There are photographs of that history.... These photographs are in this book. Some are faded and not too good. Some are very good...."" As the photographs are not included with the advance proofs it is impossible for this reviewer to give an estimate of their worth; however, their value to historians and war buffs would seem obvious. Otherwise the book, although well documented and annotated, is little more than a brief retelling of a story told many times: the events preceding the battle; the blunders of generals, the frustrations and successes, on both sides; the dreadful three days of fighting; Pickett's final charge and the Confederate retreat. The author writes also of Gettysburg after the battle: its dedication as a military cemetery and Lincoln's speech on the occasion; the various veterans' encampments; the last encampment in 1938, when a handful of old, old men from both sides met in final reunion on the battlefield. Occasionally over-lurid in style but always exciting, this book will appeal more to beginning students and non-military readers than to war buffs and serious historians. By reason of its photographs if not of its written material it should be of value to historical collections and find a place in public libraries.