They say: "You can't describe the horrors of war with words, it must be experienced." This book belies that admonition. I was no more than 50 pages into my reading of this book, when I was already recommending it to friends! I appreciate the insight provided by the writers of the material, their individual stories and perspectives. I did, however, find that the accounts of the artillery officers to be bogged down in endless details of the placements of their batteries that seemed to go on and on, and several of the accounts were repetitious. Also, disconcertingly, at least twice in the paperback edition two pages were mis-numbered, so that you had to skip a page and then go back to read the account properly (obviously, mistakes done in the editing or in the printing process). I firmly believe that, for the Confederacy, the Civil War was a "lost cause" from the start, and always find it interesting to read the southern soldiers viewpoints; they were unaware of this, appearently never having done the math. What differenciates this work from others however, is the manner of speaking that the writers have - this is the one thing that cannot be faked - we do not look at things or describe them in the same language today. For me, that made this book an interesting and an excellent read. I heartily recommend it.

The amount of eyewitness accounts to this charge in incredible. Rollins is very fair in his insight while introducing an individual's story. From the early stages of artillery placement, Union and Confederate positioning on Day #3, the cannonade, assault and repulse, this book covers it all. Letters and sections from biographies are presented from not just Generals and Colonels but all the way down to individual private soldier accounts. This book is a great tool for those trying to understand Pickett's charge and how soldiers involved told of their struggles. It is interesting to read their accounts written days or even years after the battle. On several accounts it is easier to get clarity in regards to a certain regiment or company movement. Though many stories are sometimes repititous as to the event, the commentary in regards to the action is unique! This book would compliment anyone interested in understanding the charge in a much more deeper view. For a beginner it may be hard to follow though for one who understands the charge or has had more time reading about it, I would recommend it highly!

Rollins has done the painstaking task of finding accounts of Pickett's Charge as seen by participants and observers. Not only has he found them, but he annotated them and compiled them so that they flow. Rollins' book views the assault from nearly every angle. Rollins, through documents written by the people involved, shows that the charge wasn't a last resort or a desperate attempt to gain ground, but rather a calculated risk whose failure lied in mis-execution and unfortunate split second descisions. Truly superb!!!

I have read all of Mark's books, and highly recommend them! We visited Gettysburg last year, and while we didn't see any apparitions (or I don't think we did), his books were very informative! His Ghosts of Gettysburg tour is also high on our 'redo' list!

If it's Gettysburg history you want, this series is for you!!!

Former Park Ranger Mark Nesbitt has over the years gathered many ghost stories from other park rangers, visitors and people who live in the area. Nesbitt tries to gather factual data on the stories he receives so he can offer a background as to why these ghost stories may have evolved. His stories are usually quite interesting and do not just talk about battlefield soldiers, civilians alike are also involved in famous ghost stories in Gettysburg! Buy all 5 books, there worth it! Each has many short stories that are easy and fun to read.

I ordered books 1 through 4 last year, and it took me a little
more than a week to read all of them. Even if you're not
interested in ghosts, the historical accounts of the areas in
which the stories took place is quite interesting. I like the
4 books so much that I'm afraid to lend them out for fear of not
seeing them again. I'm looking forward to book 5. If you like
both civil war history and ghost stories, you won't regret reading these little gems.

The subtitle for this review should be re-enacters the great story spinners! In the chapter A Wrinkle In Time, Nesbitt relates a story that I've heard many times from Civil War Re-enactors. It happens in different places on the battlefield to different people but essentially the story is always of meeting a lone soldier who gives them two live rounds of ammunition, walks off and then fades away. Of course, the rounds prove to be authentic! This story is either a well-crafted battlefield legend or a very expensive practical joke. A ghost cannot hand over something that no longer exists in this time period. If this were possible, I'd have our ghost loot his own time and have an apartment full of antiques, heck I'd open up a shop!

There's also a story where a ghost is referred to as a poltergeist, which does mean noisy ghost, only a poltergeist is really an energy force coming from a living person not a ghost.

This volume is as well written as the first volume. While his historical research is topnotch, his paranormal understanding leaves a bit to be desired. Still it is an intriguing read and well worth the monetary investment!

Former Park Ranger Mark Nesbitt has over the years gathered many ghost stories from other park rangers, visitors and people who live in the area. Nesbitt tries to gather factual data on the stories he receives so he can offer a background as to why these ghost stories may have evolved. His stories are usually quite interesting and do not just talk about battlefield soldiers, civilians alike are also involved in famous ghost stories in Gettysburg! Buy all 5 books, there worth it! Each has many short stories that are easy and fun to read.

Very good ghost stories of the spirits that reportedly haunt the battlefields of Gettysburg. I couldn't put it down! His other volumes in the same series are equally good! Very well told stories.

Hi I am Glenna Miller my book is My brothers keeper .The auther is Mary Pope Osborne.There are a 107 pages. The setting is Gettisburg in 1863.The Genre is fiction. The plot is her brother and dad go to her uncles to help hide his horses from the rebs. So she has to stay with Reverand Mcullys family.Jane Ellen Reverand Mcully daughter likes Jed her brother but she only saw him once.The rebs came and yelled "have the union came"I like the place and I like the way it goes in 1863 it is pretty cool. I like her name it is Virginia cause it is my home town.I hope you like this book the way I did. So pick up this book My brothers keeper

Nine-year-old Virginia Dickens is left in the care of Reverend and Mrs. McCully while her father and brother help her uncle hide his horses from the Confederate raiders and fight. She promises to keep a journal for Jed, her brother. Her family thinks she'll be safe but they are wronged when Gettysburg is ambushed. After the battle, she and her father find her brother in a makeshift hospital. The book ends as the town slowly recovers and Virginia hears President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Mrs. Osborne has successfully creates individual characters, and she poses difficult questions about war and the waste of human life. There is a lyrical quality to several passages, and the author slowly builds suspense and release.

Also recommended: All the Dear America Books

The book is about a young girl named Virginia that stays at her neighbors' house while her father and brother Jed, are at their Uncle's to help with the horses. We learn what happens when when the Civil War starts and she writes her thoughts and what she sees and hears in the diary Jed gave her before he left.
What I like about the book is how the author uses such descriptive words about the war and it seems like it's happening right in front of my my face. Also, I love what Virginia writes in her diary. It seems so true. Once you read this book you know what it feels like and what she's trying to say.
The book's theme I think is you can never know what's going to happen when your family is away and what might come between you and your family. I'd give this book two thumbs up!!

This is a good book that could have been much better if it had been more strongly edited. As it stands, there is a bit of repetition in Desjardin's narrative and analysis. Still, it contains interesting material, especially the author's discussion of the making of the myth surrounding the 20th Maine's defense of Little Round Top.

Being from Maine, and being somewhat of a Civil War buff, I bought this book thinking it would be the usual regimental history, full of facts but generally uninteresting. Not so! Once I started reading, I finished it in one sitting. Desjardin's writing style is much like the man himself -- met him at Gettysburg where he autographed my copy -- laid back, relaxed, yet fully authoritative. Even if one were not interested in the doings of the 20th Maine, this would still be a good read. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I thoroughly enjoyed Thomas Desjardin's dialogue on Gettysburg: "Stand Firm, Ye Boys From Maine" aired on BookTV. Informative, humorous, and captivating. His down-to-earth approach makes history come alive! Please pass on my appreciation for his well presented synopsis of his book. I would like to obtain some biographical information on this author.

Keep up the good work. Hope many of our youth are linking to your web page as it so effectively inspires the continuum of reading - something that is tragically not as actively pursued in homes today.

By the way, I have a number of books being published this year. What is required to have my books listed on your site?

Kind Regards,

Brenda McKean

This book is huge, though it's roughly 6 inches in length making for very small print. It covers just about every subject in the Civil War chronologically though it isn't very detailed. There is simply too much covered in order for it to be that way but this book does feature everything-just quick. I seldom refer back to this book for information as anyone who seriously studies the Civil War will have other or better books on the subject.

Easily understood without confusing the subject or the reader. More than anything, as they say, every picture says a thousand words. This book almost needs no words as there are endless photographs each saying a thousand words of their own. I knew nothing of the cicil war. I now know much. A sad time but interesting subject.

As an earlier reviewer stated, the Civil War was the first major conflict extensively covered by photographers. This first volume, which actually covers the conflict from secession to the climax at Gettysburg contains some of the best photograpy culled from the files of Matthew Brady, Alexander Gardner, and others. While the photographs alone would be worth the price, it is the accompanying text, written in the main by William C. Davis (with James M. McPherson and Shelby Foote arguably our finest Civil War historians) and Bell Wiley which captures the reader by tieing together the imagery with the fact. A picture is worth a thousand words, and the pre-war photographs of a timid-looking James Buchanan or the lean, mean look of the fireeating James Lane of Kansas are no exceptions. Or the dead Confederates laying near "Burnside's Bridge" following Antietam, or the bouyant beau sabeur Wade Hampton on one page and a youthful George Custer with his dog Rose on the next in the segment describing the cavalry fight at Gettysburg.

This compact work is thick, it is true, but a lot easier to carry along than the oversized volume. The only drawback to this and the companion volume is the small print of the text and captions. But this volume and its companion are well worth a magnifying glass and should be part of any Civil War buffs home library.

I enjoy reading Mark's Ghost of Gettysburg books. He writes the stories against the historical background of Gettysburg Pennsylvania. I have personally met Mark, and although he acts like he doesn't believe a word you tell him about ghosts, he is a good writer. I like his latest book better than this one.

I think that this was a great book, and the style that Nesbitt writes with is amazing. I have read the book cover to cover many times. His writing makes it feel like you are in Gettysburg, seeing the ghosts for yourself. An essential for any body who loves the Civil War! Deals with a lot of paranormal sightings during the filming of the movie Gettysburg.

Former Park Ranger Mark Nesbitt has over the years gathered many ghost stories from other park rangers, visitors and people who live in the area. Nesbitt tries to gather factual data on the stories he receives so he can offer a background as to why these ghost stories may have evolved. His stories are usually quite interesting and do not just talk about battlefield soldiers, civilians alike are also involved in famous ghost stories in Gettysburg! Buy all 5 books, there worth it! Each has many short stories that are easy and fun to read.

Intimate glimpses of Gettysburg in history and marking the lives of its residents today, mingled with echoes of the several wars that mark the novel's characters: a fine idea for some other writer, but way beyond the skill of this one. We have too many characters for this short novel and all presented through the single, distinctly feminine, High Romantic voice of the author. Not a novel to persuade one to suspend disbelief. Not sure what the reviewers' stars are all about.

I stumbled across Hearts of Soldiers quite by chance--and I'm glad I did. It's a beautiful book about families in crisis, with the time when a nation was in crisis as an historical backdrop. This is an author whose future work I look forward to reading.

I finished THE HEARTS OF SOLDIERS in two days--once I read that terrific Prologue, I was completely hooked and could not NOT keep on reading. I was compelled to find out what happens to these characters--closely-drawn people we might meet everyday, we might even BE them. Joan Schroeder leads us into their hearts and we learn about their passions, fears, failures, terrible griefs, and their hopes. I especially liked Cal, the almost-retired policeman, his still-passionate love for his wife Ellen (who leaves him early on in the book), and his sense of failure about his absent son. Also I'll never forget Hannah, the shining-star precocious daughter of the main character Allison, and Allison's struggle to recover from Hannah's death (I'm not giving anything away - we learn about this in Chapter One). The writing is wonderful--with beautiful and sometimes mystical images like, "I opened the window and brushed the drift of snow from the sill, and that baby's bright soul flew out of our house into the night, trailing light so intense I had to shield my eyes...," or later in the book, "Beneath our bodies, the quilted stars spread across the darkness like Heaven come to Earth." As an aspiring writer myself (also librarian and constant reader), I know how difficult this is. When I tell friends about the book, I say that reading it was like devouring a "death-by-chocolate" dessert--so rich and intense I had to pause now and then to savor and reflect on what was happening. Compared to some recent novels that I consider overpraised, if not also bloodless and contrived (my opinion about M.Cunningham's The Hours and Schlink's The Reader), HEARTS is the real thing. You'll remember this book. It will change you.

I was very interested in this product as it seems to have everything for someone unacquainted with Gettysburg. What disappointed me was that the CD ROM does not work on the graphic-friendly Apple Macintoshes. They should make it clearer that it is only for the WINDOWS Platform.

I bought this expedition guide on my first visit to Gettysburg in 2002 and what a gem it has turned out to be. First the audio tour was first rate, to the point where it kept my 3 children interested as we drove through the NMP for 4 hours.

When I got home and loaded up the software, I was treated to a multimedia show which I have watched over and over. The details and narrative are excellent and it gives you a great sense of the flow of the battle.

I highly recommend this for anyone who is planning a visit to Gettysburg, particularly if it is going to be your first visit. The expedition guide will give you a solid foundation to build upon when you visit the park.

Finally TravelBrains came out with their MAC compatible version of this product and it is incredible. Using this product brings the battle to life with its personal narratives and interesting tidbits of little known facts. It is a must have if you are interested in knowing what really happened. You don't even have to actually visit the Park to feel like you are there. If you visit the Park the audio tour complements and completes the experience. I highly recomend this product!!

I usually do not read fiction . The name Mackinlay Kantor is the reason I purchased it. This is not what I would call historic fiction exactly. It was truly fiction with very little history. It is a story of innocence lost, forbidden love,selfishness,betrayal, and the horors of war. I was disappointed, especially after reading 'Andersonville'. I feel a litle ashamed of myself for giving this great author only 3 stars but this just was not an enjoyable read for me.

A solemn realistic novel that is historically consistent, but I would not necessarily recommend it for the Civil War buff. It is more a great drama than a great story of history. I would compare it more to "Gone With the Wind" than, say, "The Killer Angels."

It is wonderfully written and somewhat depressing. It takes us to the unsuspecting town of Gettysburg before and through the great battle there.

I was ever so happy to see that "Long Remember" was back in print. I re-read it again after 35 years, and savored every page all over again. Kantor developed a style of telling a Civil War era tale of Gettysburg citizenry caught up in the vortex of that July battle so credible, so packed with flawless imagery that you are virtually transported back in time and disappointed that a taste of the past has come to an end. What other novel includes such an impressive bibleography as well? Few if any. Kantor did his 'home-work'..from bran poultices to the distant 'thudding' of artillery batteries . A masterful companion piece for Sharaah's "Killer Angels" to be sure.