Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg by James McPherson

Well-written. Interesting. Nice amount of details.

Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg would be an excellent addition for any visitor to the battlefield. The chapters are short enough that a thoughtful tourist would have no problem reading them as he/she stood there.

It is a bit pricey for its size but it's a nifty guidebook nonetheless. I know I've seen similarly-priced tour books that weren't as well-written.

James McPherson

It would have helped to have pictures to help orient the tourist, but this would necessitate editing of the book if the Parks Department begins the restoration projects McPherson mentions (and hopes for). These include removing woods that have grown up since the battle and restoring fences and orchards that have been removed.

I own a number of McPherson's books - he is this generation's preeminent Civil War historian - and I'll be glad to put this one on the shelf with the others. Whenever I can convince my wife to let me return to Gettysburg (she gets bored after a couple of hours, I could spend days), I'll bring it along, that's for sure!

I rate this book 5 stars out of a possible 5 stars.

This book can be found on Amazon.com here: Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg by James McPherson.

Reviewed on June 15, 2004.