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historytable's review against another edition
5.0
Overall a well written depiction of the Battle of Antietam and the events immediately preceding it. At times I got lost in the details but overall very enjoyable. A few more battlefield maps would've gone a long way to keep things straight.
jennthelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
takes sears forever to get to the actual battle. but good overview overall.
judyward's review against another edition
5.0
For students of American history, and especially of the Civil War, this fascinating study of the Battle of Antietam is a must-read. The Battle of Antietam took place on September 17, 1862 and it stands as the single bloodiest day of the Civil War. There were almost 23,000 casualties for American families to endure after the fight in Maryland for Antietam Creek. Stephen W. Sears places the battle into the political and military context of the war and he deftly analyzes the personalities of the major civilian and military leaders on both sides of the conflict. In doing so, he concludes that Robert E. Lee's personal knowledge of and understanding of George B. McClennan was a distinct advantage for southern troops as they made their first attempt to invade the northern states. Sears is also masterful in explainig how the battle unfolded in such a way that readers can grasp the ebb and flow of the fighting and he successfully highlights how individual decisions and efforts were significant in the outcome of the battle. But, the most moving parts of the narrative are the quotes from the diaries, letters, and interviews from men who were present at the battle and experienced the horrors of that day. No more affecting portrait of the Battle of Antietam could be written than by the men who were in the combat there themselves. The Battle of Antietam was a turning point in the Civil War--it was the first attempt by General Lee to invade the northern states and after the southern troops were withdrawn back into Virginia across the Potomac River, President Lincoln felt it was the time to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation freed no slaves, it was pivotal in preventing Great Britain and other European states from recognizing the Confederate States of America and added to the economic pressures being felt by the Confederacy.
kahale's review against another edition
3.0
The Battle of Antitem was a bloody victory of the Civil War. This book outlines every step of the battle. I think this would be better if I had a map of the battle to trace all that was going on.
dreamwanderer's review
5.0
I grew up close to the Antietam Battlefield. I remember going there as a child and being impressed with the green fields and the impressive monuments. One summer my visiting grandfather insisting on being taken there. We could have visited any number of Civil War sites, including Gettysburg, quite easily but he wasn't interested in those places. He HAD to go to Antietam. Once we got there he insisted on visiting The Bridge. Standing in the middle of it he stared down at Antietam Creek and declared "That stream ran red with Blood." He would say no more about it. It wasn't until later that I began to suspect that his grandfather who was from Georgia might well have fought there.
I thought I knew there was all there was to know about this battle. I knew about the mysterious lost orders, the slaughter in the cornfield, the tragedy of the sunken road and the brutality that happened at "Burnside's Bridge'. I knew it was the single bloodiest day in American history. I found I had a lot to learn.
As he did with his book Gettysburg Sears goes back to the politics behind the battle. How General McClellan came to command the Army of the Potomac and why General Lee thought the time was right for an incursion into Maryland. We learn about the desperation of the Federal Troops at Harper's Ferry and how the Cavalry managed to escape. He gives proper treatment to the precursor conflict, the often overlooked Battle of South Mountain.
Horrible mistakes and misjudgments were made on both sides but there were heroic actions as well. A.P Hill marching his men at the double quick from Harper's Ferry 17 miles away not stopping to rest but going straight into the fight on empty stomachs. The Flag bearer for the New York Irish 69th defiantly waving the Emerald Green flag in the face of the enemy. If he had lived in modern times I could imagine him saying "Come at me!" The book is full of moments like this.
The results of the battle changed the tenor of the war. Lincoln seized the moment to release his Emancipation Proclamation. Foreign Powers now could not in good conscience give aid to the Confederacy. It was also the beginning of the end for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia as he began to loose troops he could not replace. It was one of the turning points of the war.
If I have any problems with the book it might be Sear's insistence on referring to McClellan as 'Little Napoleon' but judging from McClellan's own letters and the observations of other perhaps the description wasn't that far off the mark. The man thought a great deal of himself.
Great book about one terrible day.
I thought I knew there was all there was to know about this battle. I knew about the mysterious lost orders, the slaughter in the cornfield, the tragedy of the sunken road and the brutality that happened at "Burnside's Bridge'. I knew it was the single bloodiest day in American history. I found I had a lot to learn.
As he did with his book Gettysburg Sears goes back to the politics behind the battle. How General McClellan came to command the Army of the Potomac and why General Lee thought the time was right for an incursion into Maryland. We learn about the desperation of the Federal Troops at Harper's Ferry and how the Cavalry managed to escape. He gives proper treatment to the precursor conflict, the often overlooked Battle of South Mountain.
Horrible mistakes and misjudgments were made on both sides but there were heroic actions as well. A.P Hill marching his men at the double quick from Harper's Ferry 17 miles away not stopping to rest but going straight into the fight on empty stomachs. The Flag bearer for the New York Irish 69th defiantly waving the Emerald Green flag in the face of the enemy. If he had lived in modern times I could imagine him saying "Come at me!" The book is full of moments like this.
The results of the battle changed the tenor of the war. Lincoln seized the moment to release his Emancipation Proclamation. Foreign Powers now could not in good conscience give aid to the Confederacy. It was also the beginning of the end for Lee's Army of Northern Virginia as he began to loose troops he could not replace. It was one of the turning points of the war.
If I have any problems with the book it might be Sear's insistence on referring to McClellan as 'Little Napoleon' but judging from McClellan's own letters and the observations of other perhaps the description wasn't that far off the mark. The man thought a great deal of himself.
Great book about one terrible day.
sgtbigg's review
5.0
Easily the best battle study on Sharpsburg, possibly the best of any written about any battle of the war. If you have an interest in the Civil War, you need to read this. My only complaint is that it could use a few more maps, but that's almost always my complaint.
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