A NOTE ABOUT THE 2nd EDITION: I haven't changed much of the wording in this 2nd edition. However, the 1st edition's maps were too small, mainly because the book was too small. So this 2nd edition is 8X10;, with maps now big enough to be visible from Pluto.
Aside from that, I attempted to do with this book what I hope is the trademark of all my books: to write narrative that's factual without being tedious, and include the relevant photos, illustrations, and explanatory maps on almost every other page so you know what the participants look like and where you're at on the field at all times.
The book's objective is to give you a very clear understanding of what happened during those three days in July of 1863 - what it was like to be in a fight with bayonets and gun butts - so that if you ever tour the battlefield you won't just be gawking at a bunch of stone statues without really knowing what happened there. If this book achieves that objective, it's done its job.
Jack Kunkel

Little Round Top, The Wheatfield, The Peach Orchard, Devil's Den, the Railroad Cut, Pickett's Charge - these were the turning points within the most important battle of the bloodiest war in American history.

But Gettysburg was not a single battle; it was a whole series of mini-battles. And even careful students of engagement can find themselves disoriented when reading about, or visiting, the battlefield.

Here, finally, is a convenient guide for serious student and casual visitor alike that makes plain the sweep of events and the geography of the battlefield. This easy-to-follow guide will help you find all the important locales and understand what the participants saw in 1863, even if you have no prior knowledge of the battle. Designed to enhance the experience of both those reading about the battle for the first time, as well as Civil War "Ahololics," this guide can be used on its own to learn about the battle, or as a great way to prepare for a future visit to the field. The "standard" U.S. Park Service tour of the battlefield, and its limited number of tour stops, is designed for the Park's primary customers - the millions of visitors who want to make the battlefield circuit in one day, before zipping back to the hotel and restaurants. But the battle wasn't fought with day-tripping tourists in mind, and there were more major engagements during that three day battle than what you'll find in the standard Park tour. This book covers them all.

Clearly written and illustrated with maps photographs and illustrations, this is the guide to have if you really want to understand what happened during those three terrible days at Gettysburg. So whether you're a fresh recruit to the Battle of Gettysburg or a grizzled veteran on the subject, I guarantee that you'll come away knowing a lot more about the battle after reading this book. Jack Kunkel