Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg

Written by James M. McPherson

Narrated by James M. McPherson

James M. McPherson, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom, and arguably the finest Civil War historian in the world, walks us through the site of the bloodiest and perhaps most consequential battle ever fought by Americans: the Battle of Gettysburg.

The events that occurred at Gettysburg are etched into our collective memory, as they served to change the course of the Civil War and with it the course of history. More than any other place in the United States, Gettysburg is indeed hallowed ground. It’s no surprise that it is one of the nation’s most visited sites (nearly two million annual visitors), attracting tourists, military buffs, and students of American history.

McPherson, who has led countless tours of Gettysburg over the years, makes stops at Seminary Ridge, the Peach Orchard, Cemetery Hill, and Little Round Top, among other key locations. He reflects on the meaning of the battle, describes the events of those terrible three days in July 1863, and places the struggle in the greater context of American and world history. Along the way, he intersperses stories of his own encounters with the place over several decades, as well as debunking several popular myths about the battle itself.

What brought those 165,000 soldiers—75,000 Confederate, 90,000 Union—to Gettysburg? Why did they lock themselves in such a death grip across these once bucolic fields until 11,000 of them were killed or mortally wounded, another 29,000 were wounded and survived, and about 10,000 were “missing”—mostly captured? What was accomplished by all of this carnage? Join James M. McPherson on a walk across this hallowed ground as he be encompasses the depth of meaning and historical impact of a place that helped define the nation’s character.

“[I]n a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our power to add or detract.”
—President Abraham Lincoln

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: May 13, 2003
• ISBN: 9780739306826

James M. McPherson

James M. McPherson taught U.S. history at Princeton University for forty-two years and is author of more than a dozen books on the era of the Civil War. His books have won a Pulitzer Prize and two Lincoln Prizes.

Reviews for Hallowed Ground

[markm2315 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very nice, quite short, outline of the battle of Gettysburg. It's written as a walking tour; I don't think it would be useful as one, but it would be a good introduction if you are going to visit the battle site. There are no pictures, but there are some simple maps. Although short, the author seems to have a special interest in debunking myths and false stories (he's a professor at Princeton and the author of the "Battle Cry of Freedom"), and you can read and enjoy the whole thing in a day or two.

[schneider_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A nice quick review of Gettysburg National Park. McPherson does a great job pointing out the highlights and important (and sometimes little remembered) monuments throughout the park. I have yet to go there, but feel like my minds eye sure has been. This is a book that all Civil War fans should pick up. It is readable, it is descriptive and as previously mention it is a quick read.

[buffalogr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent work by a noted professor of American History. This short, 2 hour listen is descriptive of the Civil War battle field at Gettysburg. Not only does McPherson provide the basics of the battle but also some unknown factoids and vignettes not previously known. For example, Daniel Sickles lost a leg and it's still in Philadelphia; he was also largely responsible for the battle field as we see it today. The book should be accompanied by a visit to Gettysburg because it references information on the ground today versus what one would have seen in 1863. It is constructed like an Army "staff ride," designed to teach others about past military history in preparation for the future.

[pomo58 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg (The Illustrated Edition) by James McPherson is a nice work about both the battle and the park as it now is. The addition of photographs, drawings and maps makes this a far more valuable work than it was previously.

For those of us who have visited multiple times we will be reminded of many things we may have forgotten. For those who haven't yet visited this can serve as a guide (though I would caution that it is not an exhaustive guide) or simply as a substitute. Separate chapters cover each day of the battle so this is both a popular history book as well as a guide to the park.

While historians and Civil War buffs won't find much new here it still brings together many of the things a casual Civil War fan needs. It would make a nice display book on a coffee table of other such location.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.

[beammey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thought I knew a pretty good amount of stuff about Gettysburg (And I do!) but this book made me realize I don't know as much as I thought. I loved the pictures and the maps, it made so much more sense to me with those there, and the author wrote in a way that kept me engaged. I would recommend this book. 5 out of 5 stars.

[neotradlibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

McPherson is an outstanding writer on the Civil War and this slim book is the fruit of many visits and tours of the battlefield. It is a short version of a staff ride, based on the tours he takes with the classes he teaches. Since Gettysburg looms large in popular memory (more on that later), it is good to be led around the battlefield by a real expert. Too many books simply repeat the same myths, but this one distills what is known and what can be known.