The BEST Battle of Gettysburg Books You Should Read 

Tim Smith is such a credit to Gettysburg and the people who love to study about the battle. His knowledge is truly unbelievable about all things related to Gettysburg, whether it be the town's history, its people or anything battle-related. I would venture to say that no one knows more about the history of Gettysburg than Tim.

When I became a Park Ranger at Gettysburg back in May 1977 the reading list we were given was for the entire battle Glenn Tucker's "High Tide At Gettysburg". For the first day if was Warren Hassler's "Crisis At The Crossroads". For the second day it was Oliver Norton's "The Attack And Defense Of Little Round Top". For the third day it was George Stewart's "Pickett's Charge". For soldier life it was Bell I Wiley's "The Life Of Johnny Reb", and the sister volume "The Life Of Billy Yank". At that time Coddington's book had not been reprinted so was very hard to get. Eventually Morningside did reprint it.

The best one for me is "Gettysburg, A Journey in Time" by William Frassanito, which, along with his book, "Antietam, the Photographic Legacy of America's Bloodiest Day" sparked my lifelong interest in the American Civil War.

Very informative! I’d love to see a series of more videos on ‘Books of the Battle’. Perhaps a selection of books to hold up with their dust jackets on in aide of making them easier to find or remember. I’d also like to shout out Tim for doing this in one take to camera!

The very first book I read (many years ago) on the Battle of Gettysburg was "They Met at Gettysburg". Also, shortly after was 'High Tide at Gettysburg"' I was hooked! Have read many more, have a small library of books on the battle and others in the war. Also a long time member of the Civil War Trust, now the American Battlefield Trust. Keep up the good work!

I visited as a kid in the 70s. My Dad bought me a copy of Frederic Ray’s Gettysburg sketches. I recently read it again. While aimed at kids I have to say every illustration was brought back to me and it is a good basic outline of the battle.

Gettysburg by Mackinlay Kantor was the first book I had read about the battle.

I am into reading The Killer Angels right now.Watched Gettysburg and is right on with the book

I agree Tim, my favorite book on Gettysburg is Tucker's "High Tide at Gettysburg". I've re-read it a couple times. It's a great comprehensive book without getting too buried in the details.

The video I didn’t think I needed, yet it is the exact video I needed! I have a rather large Civil War library, but this video has focused me on what I need. Thanks

Tim, great video. Love to talk books! Have a pretty good library here between myself, our son & books my father left us. My favorite though is Frassanito's Gettysburg: A Journey in Time. Reading that opened up such a connection for me in understanding the Battle.

The ORs, Batchelder Papers and Phil Lainos "Gettysburg Campaign Atlas" is the triple crown for me. Fill in with the other books...

I have all the first three books that he mentioned. First additions. Thanks dad for the books!

My love of the Civil War first came about as a little girl reading about President Abraham Lincoln, then came my love for Civil War/US History. Then it blossomed out to Grant, Sherman, Longstreet, Lee, Custer, etc. Now I cannot read/get enough, my favorite topic being Gettysburg. Very good suggestions, Tim, I have several of those you mentioned. I even have my own idea for a Civil War book, and when I get to relocate to Gettysburg (soon, my dream), I plan on working on it. Very happy that you shared your reading suggestions with us! Thank you for keeping us informed and facilitating our learning.

Thank you for these great suggestions!

Elitist historians generally don’t have much respect for popular works like The Killer Angels, but if you’re looking for an accessible narrative overview of the battle and significance of Gettysburg, it’s a great starting point for the average reader. Shelby Foote’s section on Gettysburg in his three-volume set really gives one clarity as to how, in so many ways, it was ultimately the key battle of the Civil War.

Always enjoy your informative videos.

This video is great!! I have an ever growing Civil War Library, and I thank you for your recommendations. 📚

This was excellent! Some really good reviews and recommendations. So much so I went online and bought the official reports based purely on your recommendation. Many thanks for this valuable content.

I've read Bruce Catton's Army of the Potomac trilogy, and that had a good section about Gettysburg. The best Civil War book I've ever read was Andersonville: A Story of Rebel Military Prisons. By John McElroy - The most moving and shocking book, in my opinion. The author survived months at Andersonville and then some time at other rebel prisons after that.

I started watching battle walks first about a couple years ago then started reading. It helped visualize what I was reading about.

High Tide at Gettysburg was the first book I read on the battle. Bought it at Gettysburg because it was recommended. That was 40 years or so ago. Excellent video

I always very much appreciate Book Recommendations. Thank you for this video

Thank you for this, very useful.

I was just in the park visitors center a few days ago after a long absence due to the virus. I couldn't stay long as I was told it was closing in 15 minutes. I was somewhat surprised to see a large display of professor Coddingtons book near the entrance to the gift shop. I don't recall seeing such in the past. Thanks for your video and advice.

Wonderful video!

Really enjoy your work

Thanks, Tim.

Fantastic review of books done here.

Would it be possible to get a list of the books you mentioned, title and author

Thanks for this helpful video. Cheers

The Edward Stackpole book is tremendous. It's a great book to start with when studying Gettysburg. I love all the Harry Pfanz books, too.

Excellent commentary and thanks for bringing up some of the older, more valuable books and especially the regimentals. I think too many people rely on the pop historians James McPherson and Bruce Catton which might be good books for a beginner but have many shortcomings.

This was really a good idea for a video.

ive always loved last. hance for victory... its from the souths side but very eye opening..... best for me on the battle. but then again my family was in the 37th nc.. thanks tim !!!!!!

Awesome. Just awesome.

Great idea and content

Just started High Tide at Gettysburg. I've had it in my library for over ten years. I had totally forgotten about it.

Good video! What more recent books would you recommend? I’m particularly interested in those that take new angles not influenced by the older assumptions.

Outstanding Video.

Picketts charge by Richard Rollins is terrific book as well.

Great book list! A Teenager’s Guide to the Civil War: A History Book for Teens gives a nice overview of the war specifically for teens.

Buford's Cavalry was armed with breechloading carbines, not repeaters.

Stephen Sears is the most readable present-day writer on the Civil War.

e Tucker is my favorite book. I have most of the regimental histories mentioned

The first Gettysburg book I read, I think was, Witness To Gettysburg by Richard Wheeler.

As you said, Tim, and as mentioned in the comments below, Harry Phanz's books are perhaps as good as it gets. They're both scholarly and highly entertaining. Written with great detail and respect for all the combatants from both sides of the conflict. Also, William Frassanitto's series on photographic and battlefield investigation are indispensable. "Gettysburg: A Journey In Time" was the first Gettysburg related book I ever read back in 1977 when I was 16.

This is great. Are there any books that summarize how the media covered the war? Just very curious about how that went back then, and wondered if anyone took any time to analyze that. Thanks!

"They met at Gettysburg ".... I think I have read it 25 times in the last 35 years..." The Iron Brigade " is also a great read! Love your channel!🇺🇸🎩🇺🇸🎩🇺🇸

You have me very intrigued to buy Harry Pfanz' trilogy on the battle. While I have a decently large civil war library and a growing Gettysburg library, I enjoy the personal/tactical accounts more than the overarching accounts (I've read lots of those). In perusing some Pfanz trilogy reviews, it appears that I would be getting the "drilled down to the soldier and company level detail. That sounds extremely appealing. Can anyone confirm that for me? The reviews all talk about the amazing detail (even brain-scrambling detailed at times, which I would enjoy). Sounds intriguing. Thanks for the video Tim & ACHS!

Thanks Tim. Great video.

What book would be a good suggestions for maps, that include the battlefield and the town?

I have that book

The best things worth reading are the reports and recollections of those who were there. Later opinions had better be based closely on the former to have any validity.

There are 6,000+ books about the Battlevof Gettysburg.

I'm still a Stackpole guy

I read a book once.

Hard to imagine the Germans all being wound up over the Battle of Cannae in World War 2 but not this.

Longstreet one of the most unfairly maligned historical figured ever.

There has been so much recent scholarship on the battle and the campaign. To see this dismissed by the presenter and his emphasis on older works, many now superseded, is disappointing.