Struggle for the Round Tops: Law's Alabama Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2-3, 1863

Book Description

Morris M. Penny and J. Gary Laine have produced a compelling story of Law's Alabama Brigade's attempt to wrest the Round Tops from Federal hands. In July 1863, Evander McIver Law, age 26, was one of Robert E. Lee's most promising generals. His brigade of Alabamians shared the Army of Northern Virginia's sense of invincibility. After a grueling 25-mile march to the battlefield, Law's men made a valiant three-hour effort to gain control of the high ground on the Federal right. Struggle for the Round Tops describes the vicious fighting around Devil's Den, in the Devil's Kitchen, and the heartbreaking repulse from Little Round Top. Law's Alabamians participated in the defense of the Confederate right on July 3 and delighted in unhorsing a number of Federal troopers in Farnsworth's charge. Two days after it arrived, the brigade retired from the field with the realization that the Federals had matched their own fighting ability. Law himself departed with the seeds of discord planted that would ultimately culminate in a devastating feud between himself and Longstreet. Much has been written about the conduct of the Confederate commanders on July 2. Some historians have suggested that Law deliberately disobeyed an order to launch his assault up the Emmitsburg Road. The authors examine the implications of Lee's orders and offer new insight into Hood'snd Law's perspective of the situation and the leeway Hood assumed as a division commander.

Customer Reviews:

Great book, great read, great fun, I love it!.......2007-10-04

Morris Penny and Gary Laine have created one of the best books that I've every read on the topic of Gettysburg. There are so many books written about the battle and so few of them are mico histories. This book takes us from the history of all of Brig. Gen. Evander Law's regiments (the 4th, 15th, 44th, 47th & 48th Alabama) from a brief description of their roots to the battle itself. Next they focus on July 2nd which covers several chapters and then the action on July 3rd. Everyone remembers Pickett's Charge but very few recall that on July 3rd the Union army tried to smash the Confederate right flank with an assualt. Law's men beat back Union horsemen trying to get into Lee's flank and rear. Paine and Penny do a great job describing the action and exposing the reader to a lesser known part of the battlefield.

The authors did a great job in researching their topic by using the first-hand accounts, primary sources and newspapers. It is truely an original work has few editing errors and is a good quick read. For those looking for a shorter but infomative book this is the one for you! It is only 272 pages in length.

My only disappointment about this book is the maps/photographs. The book has a great photographic section but one would like a few photos of the battlefield even if it is a color photo of Little Round Top as it stands today. Perhaps the authors weren't worried about reaching the Civil War novice or the average Civil War historian. But after reading over 200 Civil War publications in my life I found the lack of battlefield photography disappointing. I'm not saying that they needed a lot of photos just a few to supplement the ground that they describe in the text.

Other than that I can find no faults with this work. It is excellent and supplements Laine and Penny's earlier work on Law's Alabama Brigade. I love both books and encourage you to read them both.

"Sweet Home Alabama".......2003-02-07

No battle in the history of the United States and perhaps no battle in the history of the world is associated with more, "what ifs" than the battle of Gettysburg. A large percent of those, "what ifs" are associated with the struggle for the Round Tops on July 2nd. What if Longstreet had attacked earlier? What if Sickles had stayed where he was supposed to stay? What if Warren had arrived on Little Round Top a half-hour later? What if Benning Had not lost his bearing and had joined Law's attack on Little Round Top? What if Hood had been allowed to go around the Union left flank? Penny and Laine do mention these what ifs, but only on rare occasions do they attempt to speculate on what might have happened. Instead they deal in facts, or what DID happen.

This book must have taken years to research for they have dug deep into regimental histories and it would appear they have even researched the personal papers of any solider who's family still happens to have them around. By doing such exhaustive research the authors are able to provide us with personal glimpses of the men involved, things like what they did before the war and after the war. One soldier even credits berries in part for his recovery from diarrhea. You can't get much more personal than that.

In all honesty, this is not a book for the casual reader. I have spent many hours prowling around the battlefield at Gettysburg and on occasion I had trouble keeping up with what regiment was where. Taking that problem into account, the authors have included numerous maps showing the troop movements in great detail. The maps are a huge help. This book also does an excellent job of keeping things interesting, even while getting into a good deal of minutia.

This is an excellent book for anyone fascinated by those three July days in Pennsylvania. Anyone doing research on the battle needs a copy of this book. Penny and Laine allow us to follow Law's Brigade from Virginia to Gettysburg, and back again. I would love to have the time to run up to Gettysburg, climb up and sit on a big boulder at Devil's Den and read this book. While sitting there, able to look around me and see the places described, this book's vivid account of July 2nd, 1863 would almost transport me back in time and allow me to see it all for myself. Great Job!

A definate struggle!.......2002-05-14

Laine and Penny definately tell the full story of Law's Alabamians concentrated in Gettysburg. Their origination, marches from Virginia through Maryland and into Pennsylvania is covered well. As the story develops and the brigade reaches Gettysburg plenty of first hand accounts backed by short biographies add to the excellent coverage. These accounts and biographies are also carried throughout as individuals popular to certain action in the timeline come into the fold. Descriptive details of each regimental movement such as 44th and 48th Alabama being sent towards Devils Den and the struggle for Little Round Top carried by the 15th Alabama is quite interesting. The authors are careful in explanation as maps are used to back conflicting movements, orders and the general chaos throughout Plum Run and around the Round Tops. Union positions and personal accounts are also introduced during the various battles to benefit the reader as well. Interesting closure to the battle is offered as Law's Brigade battles Kilpatrick's Cavalry on Day #3 and on as the brigade retreats from Gettysburg. Not only was I surprised to read about retreat back to Virginia but I was also pleased to read about Law's skirmishes in protecting the Confederate retreat from Union Cavalry pursuits. An added bonus for the reader comes towards the end when certain individuals brought forth through the story have their outcomes mentioned. Some were captured, some died, some disappeared never to be found. This book is an excellent source for anyone interested in learning about Law's Alabama Brigade and their lives during May,June and July 1863.

A fine addition to the account of Gettysburg.......2000-06-05

Morris M. Penny and J. Gary Laine are to be complimented in high form in writing this book about the account of General Evander Law's Confederate Brigade during the Battle of Gettysburg. The authors certainly did their research of documenting where each regiment was right before, during, and after the battle, especially the vital 2nd day for the struggle of Little and Big Round Top. There has been little presented on the Confederate side of the struggle before this, due to the Confederate vetereans not having much resources and opportunity to document their side of the battle on the second day and the whole battle itself. However this is one of the best books written thus far that explains what happened during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd day. This book does describe the vital encounter between the 15th Alabama regiment headed by Col. William Oates and the 20th Maine headed by Col Joshua L. Chamberlain. It also describes the other regiments of Law's brigade, such as the Texas and Georgia regiments who's struggle for the Round Tops were just as violent and bloody. The book does a fair assessment of the tactics and viewpoint of Gen. Evander Law as well during the battle. This book makes a fine addition to any Civil War enthusiasts library, or for the casual reader who would like to read about the Battle Of Gettysburg. Highly Recommended!

Fantastic Gettysburg book.......1999-07-12

I highly recommend this book to any 'diehard' Battle of Gettysburg fan. In some of the other Civil War books I've read the authors have complained about a lack of southern primary sources. This book easily dispelles that myth. Laine and Penny have dug deep and present many letters and diaries of the soldiers that I haven't seen before. The chapters dealing with the fighting on July 3 were very enlightening. The main reason I bought the book was the chapter on Farnsworth's charge and the authors do a great job in presenting the way it unfolded. They've also done great detective work in explaining how Law led Hood's Division on July 2 and where he actually was on the battlefield. I read this book in one night and I'm definitely buying their other book "Law's Alabama Brigade".

Book Description

Offering a rich and insightful road map of Asian American history as it has evolved over more than 200 years, this book marks the first systematic attempt to take stock of this field of study. It examines, comments, and questions the changing assumptions and contexts underlying the experiences and contributions of an incredibly diverse population of Americans. Arriving and settling in this nation as early as the 1790s, with American-born generations stretching back more than a century, Asian Americans have become an integral part of the American experience; this cleverly organized book marks the trajectory of that journey, offering researchers invaluable information and interpretation.

Â• Part 1 offers a synoptic narrative history, a chronology, and a set of periodizations that reflect different ways of constructing the Asian American past.

Â• Part 2 presents lucid discussions of historical debates -- such as interpreting the anti-Chinese movement of the late 1800s and the underlying causes of Japanese American internment during World War II -- and such emerging themes as transnationalism and women and gender issues.

Â• Part 3 contains a historiographical essay and a wide-ranging compilation of book, film, and electronic resources for further study of core themes and groups, including Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, and others.

Customer Reviews:

A choice, concise guide to Asian American experiences .......2005-08-05

A choice, concise guide to Asian American experiences is offered by Gary Okihiro, the recipient of the American Studies Association Lifetime Achievement Award and past president of the Association for Asian American Studies. The experiences of Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hmong, Indians and more are contrasted in chapters exploring migration patterns, racism issues, gender issues and much more. Columbia Guide To Asian American History is a recommended pick for any high school or college collection focusing on Asian-American immigrant, multicultural, or ethnic group experiences.

The Columbia Guide to Hiroshima and the Bomb (Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures)

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We've Been At War Since 1941

The Columbia Guide to Hiroshima and the Bomb (Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures)
Michael Kort
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0231130163

Book Description

Few aspects of American military history have been as vigorously debated as Harry Truman's decision to use atomic bombs against Japan. In this carefully crafted volume, Michael Kort describes the wartime circumstances and thinking that form the context for the decision to use these weapons, surveys the major debates related to that decision, and provides a comprehensive collection of key primary source documents that illuminate the behavior of the United States and Japan during the closing days of World War II.

Kort opens with a summary of the debate over Hiroshima as it has evolved since 1945. He then provides an historical overview of the events in question, beginning with the decision and program to build the atomic bomb. Detailing the sequence of events leading to Japan's surrender, he revisits the decisive battles of the Pacific War and the motivations of American and Japanese leaders. Finally, Kort examines ten key issues in the discussion of Hiroshima and guides readers to relevant primary source documents, scholarly books, and articles.

These primary source documents comprise the largest part of this volume. They are organized into seven categories: American civilian documents; American military documents; MAGIC diplomatic summaries; Japanese government and military documents and diary entries; Japanese surrender documents; the United States Strategic Bombing Survey Summary Report and Interrogations of Japanese Officials; and Statements of Japanese Officials on World War II compiled by the Military Intelligence Section of the United States Army.

Kort's clear, insightful narrative examines conflicting points of view on numerous issues but remains impartial throughout. Above all, by providing a broad range of documents, including translations of Japanese language materials, Kort makes it possible for readers to render informed and independent judgments in the ongoing debate.

Customer Reviews:

We've Been At War Since 1941.......2007-02-14

This book is a series of essays on the history of 'The Long War.' This war began in about 1941 and has continued with more or less shooting ever since. It has been marked, as have all wars, with instances of incompetence, poor judgment, a callow unwillingness to face the facts, ignorance, prejudice, and irrational hysteria.

Each essay is independent and covers the personal interests/expertise of the writer. Through them all, however, a common theme emerges that the war making institutions, be they in the defense community, defense industries, or intelligence agencies have not performed to the standard that one would hope.

This book is a history. The authors are primarily history professors at U.S. universities. Unfortunately being historians, the authors do not make many projections of the future. Perhaps though, this is impossible, and 'The Long War' will continue forever. It certainly seems that it's current incarnation of 'The War on Terror' seems to have no foreseeable end. Yesterday even the Democratic candidates were talking of bombing Pakistan and even threatening to use nuclear weapons.

The Columbia Guide to the Vietnam War (Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures)

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Complete Refernce Guide

The Columbia Guide to the Vietnam War (Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures)
David L. Anderson
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Southeast Asia | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Vietnam War | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0231114931

Book Description

More than a quarter of a century after the last Marine Corps Huey left the American embassy in Saigon, the lessons and legacies of the most divisive war in twentieth-century American history are as hotly debated as ever. Why did successive administrations choose little-known Vietnam as the "test case" of American commitment in the fight against communism? Why were the "best and brightest" apparently blind to the illegitimacy of the state of South Vietnam? Would Kennedy have pulled out had he lived? And what lessons regarding American foreign policy emerged from the war?

The Columbia Guide to the Vietnam War helps readers understand this tragic and complex conflict. The book contains both interpretive information and a wealth of facts in easy-to-find form. Part I provides a lucid narrative overview of contested issues and interpretations in Vietnam scholarship. Part II is a mini-encyclopedia with descriptions and analysis of individuals, events, groups, and military operations. Arranged alphabetically, this section enables readers to look up isolated facts and specialized terms. Part III is a chronology of key events. Part IV is an annotated guide to resources, including films, documentaries, CD-ROMs, and reliable Web sites. Part V contains excerpts from historical documents and statistical data.

Customer Reviews:

Complete Refernce Guide.......2004-04-30

I'd come across this book while trolling through dozens of websites related to the Vietnam War (most of which are good; some of which are terribly inaccurate). With the perspective of 25+ years since the end of the war, David Anderson is able to put together a very complete look at the war.

The chapters are clearly written and cover major issues: background; maps; American involvement in the war; diplomatic attempts to end the war; and even the impact on American culture.

Book Description

Guiyou Huang traces the history of Asian American literature from the end of World War II to the beginning of the twenty-first century. Huang covers six genres: anthology, autobiography/memoir, drama, fiction, poetry, and short fiction; reviews major historical developments and social movements; explains key literary terms; and offers a narrative, A-to-Z guide of major Asian American writers and their works, plus their critical reception.

This guide covers Canadian and U.S. authors with cultural and ethnic origins in East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands. It begins with a discussion of works written shortly after World War II that explore the personal and political impact of the conflict, such as John Okada's No-No Boy and Hisaye Yamamoto's short fiction. Huang then focuses on the 1980s, when Asian American literature blossomed into a diverse, heterogeneous field characterized by a variety of themes, genres, and styles, and writers with multiple ethnic and cultural backgrounds. He considers the work of novelists Amy Tan and Maxine Hong Kingston, the poets Ai and Agha Shahid Ali, and more than 100 additional authors, including Frank Chin, David Henry Hwang, Jessica Hagedorn, Nora Okja Keller, Bharati Mukherjee, Gish Jen, Chang-rae Lee, Jhumpa Lahiri, Chitra Divakaruni, and Theresa Hak Kyung Cha.

Huang points the reader toward further study for individual authors, and his selected bibliography suggests works of a more general nature, including literary criticism and histories, reference works, and collections of essays. Comprehensive though concise, clearly written but richly detailed, The Columbia Guide to Asian American Literature Since 1945 is an invaluable resource.

The Columbia History of Post-World War II America (Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures)

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The Columbia History of Post-World War II America (Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures)

Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0231121261

Book Description

Every epoch bewilders those who live through it, but for Americans, the postwar era has been a time of breathtaking change and transition. With these comprehensive and engaging essays, this volume encourages readers to form a new perspective on a recent and highly debated period of American history.

Contributors to this volume were chosen for their ability to conceive of topics in unconventional and provocative ways. Renowned scholars specializing in economics, foreign affairs, political science, and social and cultural history collectively reexamine the history of America since the end of World War II. Rather than divide this period into such traditional categories as "women," "television," and "politics," contributors take a cross-topical approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness of American life and society.

Beginning with an analysis of cultural themes and ending with a discussion of evolving and expanding political and corporate institutions, these essays address changes in America's response to the outside world; the merging of psychological states and social patterns in memorial culture, scandal culture, and consumer culture; the intersection of social practices and governmental policies; the effect of technological change on society and politics; and the intersection of changing belief systems and technological development, among other issues.

Many had feared that Orwellian institutions would crush the individual in the postwar era, but a major theme of this book is the persistence of individuality and diversity. Trends toward institutional bigness and standardization have coexisted with and sometimes have given rise to a countervailing pattern of individualized expression and consumption. Today Americans are exposed to more kinds of images and music, choose from an infinite variety of products, and have a range of options in terms of social and sexual arrangements. In short, they enjoy more ways to express their individuality despite the rise of immense global corporations, and this history imaginatively explores every facet of this unique American experience.

The Columbia Guide to Asian American History

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The Columbia Guide to Asian American History
Gary Y. Okihiro
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQ6GJ4

The Columbia Guide To Asian American History (Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures)

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The Columbia Guide To Asian American History (Columbia Guides to American History and Cultures)
Gary Y. Okihiro
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQ7ZHG

Book Description

M->CREATED

Customer Reviews:

A Great Foundation.......2001-01-07

This book is truely a great foundation for further study in the tactics and strategies of fire suppression. It is often difficult to find reading material covering fire suppression that is niether out dated nor too focused to provide any real benefit to the reader. As a student, I have used Brady's "Fire Suppression Practices and Procedures" in two lower division Fire Technology classes.

Author, Eugene Mahoney, brilliantly covers all areas of fire suppresion in a logical sequence. The book opens discussing "Fire Chemistry and Behavior." This first chapter briefly reviews the fire triangle, stages of fire, and fire phenomena (backdrafts, flashovers, and rollovers). The second chapter focuses on the responsibility of size up. Chapters three through five breaks up operations on the Engine, Truck, and Salvage companies. Chapter 6 covers "Basic Firefighting Tactics," including locating the fire, confining the fire, and extinguishing the fire. Fire command and the ICS system are covered in detail in Chapter 7. Mahoney concludes by covering in detail, suppression of fires in buildings, mobile equipment, and miscellaneous fires.

I would recommend this book be part of every firefighters library. A great reference book, especially useful for promotional testing.

Product Description

In this age of increased fundamental and applied research on biodiversity, no single volume was as yet devoted to the various temporal and spatial aspects of aquatic biodiversity. The present book is published in honour of Professor Henri Dumont (Ghent, Belgium) at the occasion of his retirement as Editor-in-Chief of Hydrobiologia. The volume presents a selection of contributions on aquatic biodiversity, written by colleagues from the editorial board, fellow editors of aquatic journals and former students and collaborators. Contributions deal with a wide spectrum of topics related to aquatic biodiversity and cover fields such as actual- and palaeolimnology, taxonomy, and fundamental and applied limnology. Even reconnaissance chapters on management and cultural impact of water bodies are included. The book combines state-of-the-art contributions in aquatic sciences.

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