Meade at Gettysburg

A Study in Command

By: Kent Masterson Brown

Narrated by: Shawn Compton

Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Although he took command of the Army of the Potomac only three days before the first shots were fired at Gettysburg, Union general George G. Meade guided his forces to victory in the Civil War's most pivotal battle. Commentators often dismiss Meade when discussing the great leaders of the Civil War. But in this long-anticipated book, Kent Masterson Brown draws on an expansive archive to reappraise Meade's leadership during the Battle of Gettysburg. Using Meade's published and unpublished papers along with a variety of other sources, Brown highlights how Meade's rapid advance of the army to Gettysburg on July 1, his tactical control and coordination of the army in the desperate fighting on July 2, and his determination to hold his positions on July 3 insured victory.

Brown argues that supply deficiencies, brought about by the army's unexpected need to advance to Gettysburg, were crippling. In spite of that, Meade pursued Lee's retreating army rapidly, and his decision not to blindly attack Lee's formidable defenses near Williamsport on July 13 was entirely correct in spite of subsequent harsh criticism. Combining compelling narrative with incisive analysis, this finely rendered work deepens our understanding of the Army of the Potomac as well as the machinations of the Gettysburg Campaign, restoring Meade to his rightful place in the Gettysburg narrative.

©2021 The University of North Carolina Press (P)2021 Tantor

Makes Strong Case for Meade

This book admirably makes its case that Meade’s generalship at Gettysburg was excellent and that he was justified in not attacking Lee’s strongly fortified lines before Lee’s army retreated over the Potomac. As to the latter Lee was effectively dug in and the numbers of the two armies were almost equal. While the author did not discuss Grant, Grant later always had superior numbers allowing him to be aggressive. The battle scenes at Gettysburg are from Meade’s perspective and so are intentionally not complete.

Outstanding

Great book on Meade at Gettysburg. The man, his generalship and strategic, operational and logistical genius come shining through in this great read.

Finally! Well Deserved.

Wonderfully written analysis of Meade’s contributions for the Union at Gettysburg. A new look at some of the reasons for Meade’s decisions after the Battle of Gettysburg. If you like history, especially Civil War history, then you will not be disappointed in this book.

This is a great book

Finally got a good understanding of what Meade had to do an deal with. A better understanding of how the armies really got into the battle. Meade did a great job in a short time an even that I like Lincoln a lot, best man for the time, politics always gets in the when trying to do your job. No wonder Hancock, Reynolds’s turned down the job.

Fantastic Book

Everything about this book was excellent, except for the minor point that some seemingly well known names/words were mispronounced.

An interesting study in command...

of Meade. The narration was mediocre and he mispronounced many names and places which was distracting. A better narrator would have improved the listening experience.

Best Civil War Book Ever

Absolutely thorough in explaining the circumstances and actions of General Meade. I learned a great deal about the tactical problems and the conditions of the Army of the Potomac in this comprehensive and well told narrative.

Excellent historical reference of General Meade at Gettysburg

Very, very, very detailed report of the Army up to, during and after this famous battle. I learned a lot of the Army’s movements and strategies.

Well Recommended

Well narrated. Gives great details on what really happened at Gettysburg. In my opinion Meade did the right thing.

From the General’s POV

An excellent analysis of the battle of Gettysburg from the Union Side . This book was strong because it stuck to its topic. A lot of civil war battle books are simply a stringing together of good ole boy stories with a loose overall narrative. Not this work , it sticks to Meade and his POV . The pre and post battle were covered with new (2021) well researched insights . I especially liked the research into the supply of the army of the Potomac and Meads’ strategy going into Gettysburg .

If you are a big fan of the genre you will also find fascinating the author directly calling out some prominent civil war writers on poor Gettysburg and Meade research .