The fight for Little Round Top on July 2; 1863; is forever etched in the annals of America's Civil War. The heroic defense of the high ground by Joshua Chamberlain and the men of the 20th Maine is one of the most famous incidents in American history; made more so by its powerful depiction in the film Gettysburg. There are numerous written accounts of the Union defenders on Little Round Top but considerably less has been written—up to now—about the Confederate attackers who charged up the hill and faced an even more desperate challenge than those who defended it. Unique and colorful; this new study brings to life the men and officers of the 15th Alabama who gathered that day to assault the Union flank. The lively narration of this dramatic engagement is both detailed and authoritative. Veteran Civil War author Phillip Tucker colorfully evokes the men and the times—from descriptions of the Alabamans' Chattahoochee River valley home to sketches of the lives and personalities of William C. Oates and other key members of the regiment.
#1038606 in Books DA CAPO PRESS 1995-03-21Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 .80 x 5.40 x 8.17l; #File Name: 0306806274321 pages
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Memoir and BiographyBy phillyshrinkThis is a memoir as well as a biography written about John Cheever; by his daughter Susan; an author in her own right. Susan Cheever weaves her memories of her father together with an outline of his life and influences. This is not a thick book and there are not a lot of details; but the reader comes away with a definite feeling for the subject as a person. She writes about her father's personal demons; his foibles and the emotional insights that characterize his work. She sets forth the incongruity between the compassion that marked much of his work and the pettiness that could sometimes enter his personal relations. For anyone interested in John Cheever as a major writer of the last century; this is a very worthwhile book.3 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Confusion in creation- landBy Shalom FreedmanThis memoir tells a great deal about the extended family of John Cheever. His is the less reputable wing of of a family which goes back to the early foundations of America. Susan Cheever writes with understanding and consideration of her father's troubled life. The shocking bankruptcy and abandonment of his father remained a basis for his great insecurity throughout his life. Susan Cheever reveals her father to be a man of great charm; and excellent ability to befriend and be helped by wealthy patrons; including those at Yaddo the Saratoga writing colony which for him was a second home. Susan Cheever also describes somewhat fitfully the mixed- up - marriage Cheever never let go of; one in which there seemed to have been infidelity on both sides- and which seemed to go downhill in the later years.Susan Cheever writes with descriptive elegance about her father 's life. She does not however explain or even hint at the great mystery of how he managed to create his best work. And she does not really tell us what the work consists in; or how it best expressed what her father was.I also felt the work lacking in another way. It does not really get inside Cheever and reveal to us the world the way he might have seen it. Nor does it trace the effect of his celebrity and alcoholism ; of his wit and capacity for friendship on his children. Susan Cheever is silent about her father's effect upon her.I found that is with all the basic admiration and sympathy that she expresses for her father; a certain coldness in the work- a coldness which was perhaps her father's also.But again perhaps I found Cheever's story much less 'moving 'than I might have because I too am not a great fan of his stories.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Well Written; Graceful and MovingBy BGraceThis is a very well written memoir. I haven't read much of her father's work; but of course I knew of him before reading it. I liked that she showed his character with affection yet clarity.Susan Cheever's obvious love for her father comes through; and certainly her view of him isn't as objective as a disinterested party would be; but his humanity and endearing qualities shine through; along with his weakness and frailties.I enjoyed the way she interwove aspects of her life and his; and the construction of the book. I regretted seeing it end and wanted to know more about everyone. There is some obliqueness as another reviewer mentioned; this is definitely not a 'tell all' with a lot of dish.I found Cheever to be insightful; open and yet delicate toward the more unflattering and painful aspects of their life. A good read.
