Pickett's Charge: The Last Attack at Gettysburg

Earl J. Hess presents a military history focused on the culminating assault of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. The book examines Pickett's Charge through primary sources, battlefield archaeology, and tactical analysis. The narrative follows Confederate planning, Union defensive preparations, and the experiences of soldiers on both sides during the attack. Hess reconstructs the sequence of events using letters, diaries, and post-war accounts from participants at every level of command. The book includes maps, photographs, and detailed topographical studies that demonstrate how terrain and distance affected the outcome. Order of battle information and unit positions are documented with precision. This work moves beyond simplified explanations of the charge to explore questions of military decision-making, leadership, and the human experience of combat. The author examines how this single attack came to represent larger themes about the Civil War in American memory.

Readers highlight this book's tactical detail and step-by-step analysis of the charge's planning and execution. Many appreciate the maps, diagrams, and hour-by-hour breakdown that clarifies the complex troop movements. Readers value: - Debunking of common myths about the charge - Focus on individual soldiers' experiences - Analysis of strategic decisions by commanders - Coverage of both Union and Confederate perspectives Main criticisms: - Dense military terminology can overwhelm non-experts - Some find the writing style dry - A few readers wanted more personal accounts - Limited discussion of the charge's broader impact Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (41 ratings) One reviewer noted: "Hess strips away the romanticism and gives a clear picture of what actually happened." Another commented: "The tactical details are excellent but sometimes get bogged down in unit positions and movements."

Gettysburg: The Last Invasion by Allen Guelzo A detailed examination of the entire Gettysburg campaign through multiple perspectives from generals to foot soldiers.

The Last Road North: A Guide to the Gettysburg Campaign by Robert Orrison and Dan Welch The book follows Lee's army from Virginia to Pennsylvania with stops at specific battle sites and includes maps of troop movements.

Gettysburg's Peach Orchard by James A. Hessler and Britt C. Isenberg The book focuses on the tactical decisions and fighting at the Peach Orchard position during the second day of Gettysburg.

The Second Day at Gettysburg by Harry W. Pfanz The text presents a microscopic view of the battle's second day with emphasis on Longstreet's assault and the Union defense.

Retreat from Gettysburg by Kent Masterson Brown The book examines Lee's logistical challenges during the Confederate army's retreat after the battle.

🔹 The author Earl J. Hess spent over 15 years researching and writing about the Civil War before publishing this detailed account of Pickett's Charge in 2001. 🔹 The book includes previously unpublished accounts from soldiers who participated in the charge, discovered through extensive archival research. 🔹 Hess's work challenges several popular myths about the charge, including the belief that all of Pickett's men were Virginians - in fact, significant numbers came from North Carolina and Tennessee. 🔹 The book features detailed tactical maps that were created using modern topographical data combined with historical battlefield surveys, providing the most accurate visualization of the charge to date. 🔹 Despite the attack's name focusing on George Pickett, the book reveals that two other Confederate division commanders - James Pettigrew and Isaac Trimble - played equally important roles in leading the assault.