Product Description

Sickles at Gettysburg: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg, by licensed battlefield guide James Hessler, is the most deeply-researched, full-length biography to appear on this remarkable American icon. And it is long overdue.

No individual who fought at Gettysburg was more controversial, both personally and professionally, than Major General Daniel E. Sickles. By 1863, Sickles was notorious as a disgraced former Congressman who murdered his wife's lover on the streets of Washington and used America's first temporary insanity defense to escape justice. With his political career in ruins, Sickles used his connections with President Lincoln to obtain a prominent command in the Army of the Potomac's Third Corps-despite having no military experience. At Gettysburg, he openly disobeyed orders in one of the most controversial decisions in military history.

No single action dictated the battlefield strategies of George Meade and Robert E. Lee more than Sickles' unauthorized advance to the Peach Orchard, and the mythic defense of Little Round Top might have occurred quite differently were it not for General Sickles. Fighting heroically, Sickles lost his leg on the field and thereafter worked to remove General Meade from command of the army. Sickles spent the remainder of his checkered life declaring himself the true hero of Gettysburg.

Although he nearly lost the battle, Sickles was one of the earliest guardians of the battlefield when he returned to Congress, created Gettysburg National Military Park, and helped preserve the field for future generations. But Dan Sickles was never far from scandal. He was eventually removed from the New York Monument Commission and nearly went to jail for misappropriation of funds.

Hessler's book is a balanced and entertaining account of Sickles' colorful life. Civil War enthusiasts who want to understand General Sickles' scandalous life, Gettysburg's battlefield strategies, the in-fighting within the Army of the Potomac, and the development of today's National Park will find Sickles at Gettysburg a must-read.

About the Author: James A. Hessler works in the financial services industry and is a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park. He has taught Sickles and Gettysburg-related courses for Harrisburg Area Community College and the Gettysburg Foundation. In addition to writing articles for publication, Hessler speaks regularly at Civil War Round Tables. A native of Buffalo, NY, he resides in Gettysburg with his wife and children.

REVIEWS

"The few other Sickles biographies available will now take a back seat to Hessler's powerful and evocative study of the man, the general, and the legacy of the Gettysburg battlefield that old Dan left America. I highly recommend this book."J. David Petruzzi, co-author of Plenty of Blame to Go Around: Jeb Stuart's Controversial Ride to Gettysburg (2006) and with Steve Stanley The Complete Gettysburg Guide (2009)

"This book is a breath of fresh air-it is an objective, thorough and readable examination of the controversial general. Hessler avoids getting bogged down in extreme reactions typically seen in others who write on this subject." Sue Boardman, Licensed Battlefield Guide, GNMP; Leadership Program Coordinator, Gettysburg Foundation; and author of The Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama: A History and Guide

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #69292 in Books
• Published on: 2009-06-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 432 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781932714647
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

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Customer Reviews

At Last
Finally, a fair and balanced presentation of a controversial commander of the Civil War. This is a wonderful presentation of a most despicable character. It is an easy read filled with information and facts concerning this man. The veil of deceit is uncovered and the author leaves the final judgement up to you. Although, Mr. Hessler has opinions, he does not let them interfere with the ultimate decision. More Civil War authors ought to use this approach. It gives us an insight into the events and not their slant. Get a copy, devour it and further your schooling on Civil War History. I did and enjoyed every sentence.

A Wonderful Study
Taking a subject so complex and controversial, Hessler's Sickles at Gettysburg examines and separates the facts, the record, the controversies, the spin and the memory. What emerges is a masterful work that not only educates the reader about the man and the events of July 2, 1863 but also opens a window to the politics of memory and the history of remembrance. Combined with a superb study of the battle for the Peach Orchard, this book is a gem. This work is a must for serious students of the Gettysburg and the Civil War. Hessler has emerged as a serious Civil War scholar.

BIOGRAPHY AT ITS BEST
There are two reasons that anyone interested in military history and biography should read Sickles at Gettysburg by James A. Hessler. The first is that this work is well researched and it thoroughly examines a nineteenth century figure in relation to the events and people of the time. Secondly, Hessler maintains a professional and objective analysis of both the good and bad of a human being caught in a maelstrom of events and controversy, the magnitude of which is rarely experienced or fully appreciated.
Hessler shows his respect for the reader to make up their own mind when evaluating Daniel Edgar Sickles. Most people inclined to read this tome already have a good working knowledge of Civil War history so the author presents "just the facts". This is a refreshing approach to biography and military history. I recommend this book to all students of history both professional and amateur. Both will benefit from a better understanding of Sickles the man and soldier.