This is an eyeopening and very well done book. Lots of good information about what happened. Great for anyone wanting to learn more about this battle.

I wanted to read this one, but I am unable to download the book because it is unfortunately archived.

As someone who has walked the battlefield many times both with and without guides and who has read numerous books on the battle, this is a somewhat different take on the events of July 1-3, 1863. What is different is the way the author outlines the basics of each event in each day and then allows the voices of those who had taken part describe what occurred from their perspective. Oddly, there were only a few cases where I rolled my eyes as someone tried to force their own agenda into the narrative. Most of the descriptions were fair to both sides and did not try to take cheap shots at anyone.

That has always been my take away from visiting Gettysburg. Whatever we might think of the world of 1863, the participants in these battles were children of their time and their sacrifice should never be discounted because it is no longer in fashion or acceptable. The courage, the strength, the agony and even the nobility were shared across both sides.

There is no doubt in my mind that had Lee listened to Longstreet and continued the strategy that he, himself, had articulated for the Army of North Virginia, there might have been different results and the world in which we live would be vastly different. Whether in confidence or hubris, he asked more than his men could deliver and while it still took a long time, the Civil War was decided on that field.

Well written and compelling., I give it five purrs and two paws up.

Voices from Gettysburg: Letters, Papers, and Memoirs from the Greatest Battle of the Civil War is one of the best books I have read about Gettysburg. Five stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington for access to this arc.


One hundred and sixty one years ago the Union was fighting to keep people interested in fighting to keep the Union. The first two years of the Civil War had been … not so good for the North and Northerners were getting fed up. There was a fear among Republicans and abolitionists that too much more bad news from the battlefront would drive politicians to throw in the towel and let the South go. The Southern military – or at least those with their eyes open – realized that only by gaining a great victory could they get to those peace negotiations and have a hope of the North giving up and letting them go. Gettysburg was that Southern push for victory and that Northern desperate attempt to turn the tide.

Guelzo knows his stuff and writes well. He’s mainly eschewed the more commonly referenced and dipped into many unused sources. Given the number of people, battle locations, and moving pieces, he includes a lot of specific information (e.g. Regiments) about who was where and did what rather than just say “Union troops” dug in here and “Southern troops” attacked there. YMMV on how detailed of a summary you want to read.

Parts of it have spoken more to what I was hoping for. The book opens with a chapter that mainly consists of memoir material written (in some cases) decades later which is more dry and measured. The sections that utilize letters, newspaper articles, and other things written in the moment have captured my attention more. I’m still working my way through the book and definitely think it’s one that benefits from a reader taking time to let it all sink in.

In the book Voices From Gettysburg, letters papers and memoirs from the greatest battle in the Civil War by Alan C Guelzo in the book we hear from many different men in and out of the fight the wives the doctors we even get to hear about the horrible uniforms and boots they had, that only came in two sizes we get to hear peoples opinions on Robert E Lee but not only are the people talked about in the book famous names but some of the letters, papers and memoirs are pinned by famous men their self. They have many different varieties from the heartfelt to the funny to the mundane every day life and it is all so interesting. I love eyewitness accounts and that is what you get in this book from those who supported the confederacy to those who didn’t from the remorseful to the indignant and so much more. Alan C Guelzo has done an awesome job this book as well RESEARCH with short chapters theirs even a map and a preamble about the war before you get in to the correspondents and letters. What more can I say this is an awesome book that any history fan would love. I want to thank Kensington books for my free arc copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I have always been interested in history, particularly the Civil War. In my late teens, my grandparents took me to Gettysburg. Seeing the fields and landmarks in person, that I’d seen in books covered in fallen soldiers, was quite moving. This book was difficult to read at times because of what the people went through, but it really gives a lot of context to what people thought of the leadership and what their daily lives were like from comfort or lack there of, uniforms, food. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

A deeply moving and soul searching book, The Voices from Gettysburg collects letters and tales from those that survived the war and collected them in this one volume. Be prepared to start crying while reading the poignant tales. This book was devastating and soul searching. It takes a hard look at the cost of war and who pays the price.

Voices from Gettysburg by Allen C. Guelzo is a goldmine anthology of hidden gems from the civil war. These are original documents collected from people from all perspectives. Soldiers, civilians, wealthy, poor, young, old, male, and female all lived through it, and all had something to say. These experiences and stories enriched my knowledge base in a real and unforgettable way. Some of the stories are enlightening, some are gripping and haunting. All of them are genuine and authentic. Excerpts like original maps, memoirs, and letters made it feel more real and less like a history book. This is one I took my time reading and will likely refer to it again at future intervals. Thank you, Allen, for taking the time and commitment to preserve this part of our history in such a moving and compelling collection.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

For readers like myself who have long worked toward gaining a better understanding of crucial points during the Civil War, "Voices from Gettysburg" certainly fits the bill. It starts off in an interesting way with the armies of General Lee and the illustrations help to break up the text so that it's not as overwhelming or not just endless blocks of text. I think one of the strengths of the book is its ability to provide the academic depth of quality and analysis to the subject that many would expect while making it more accessible and readable so that the content is easier to take in. Having said that, some sections were more engaging than others. The book also includes very good maps for readers who are looking for that.

Voices from Gettysburg is an interesting collection of first-person accounts from the Battle of Gettysburg. This is a book many historians will want to have in their libraries. It is not an easy book to read but it is an excellent resource detailing a very important battle of the American Civil War.

Voices from Gettysburg is a detailed and complex collection of details of the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as containing many personal accounts of the event. It’s not a book to necessarily sit and read from cover to cover, although there are some who would enjoy that. For me, it is a valuable resource of facts and first person recollections. It is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in history and makes a fine addition to one’s library.