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Title: The Battle of Fredericksburg

Subtitle: The Greatest Civil War Battles

Author: Charles River Editors

Narrator: Chris Abell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-25-15

Publisher: Charles River Editors

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

"It is good that war is so terrible; otherwise we should grow too fond of it." (Robert E. Lee)

The Army of the Potomac had pushed Robert E. Lee's army out of Maryland in September 1862 after the Battle of Antietam, but President Lincoln and his War Department wanted the army to continue going after the Army of Northern Virginia after it retreated back into Virginia. When George B. McClellan refused to do it, Lincoln fired him and installed Ambrose E. Burnside as the new commander. Burnside, who didn't believe himself capable of commanding the Army of the Potomac, only took the job because he was told Fighting Joe Hooker would get the spot if he refused.

With Washington urging Burnside to advance against Lee, Burnside launched an ill-fated operation across the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg in December 1862. From December 12-13, Burnside struggled to get his army across the river while it was under fire from Confederates in Fredericksburg, and things only got worse when they did.

As injured Northern soldiers lay freezing and dying on the field that night, the Northern Lights made a rare appearance. Southern soldiers interpreted it as a favorable omen from God and mentioned them frequently in their diaries, while Northern soldiers who saw something far less divine sparsely mentioned them. The following morning, Burnside extricated his army back behind the river, ending the fighting in 1862.

Members Reviews:

Good look at poor leadership

This is an extremely good way to do such a book. It's done by quoting reports from the actual leaders involved in the battle. What things appear to be in this battle is a rather incompetent Union general (of which they had many) who could really plan and carry out a battle plan if his life depended on it.

This was the first major urban battle in the Civil War and the first time an American city was bombarded (by cannon) on purpose.

A lot of good men died because of poor leadership on the Union side. The Southern side, meanwhile, had gotten to the battle site first and set up excellent defenses and had very good plans in effect. It was really sort of a reverse Gettysburg.

Nothing Ground Shaking.

Nothing Ground Shaking.

I was hoping to get a really good look into this battle as my knowledge is a bit lacking in the Civil War. I was hoping this would be along the lines of the old WWII series by Ballantine Books. Overall, this is a good short, very short synopsis of the battle and the blunderings of an incompetent General Burnside. I enjoyed the perspective provided from General Lee and Longstreet. The photos and some personal recollections were well situated. In this sense, the book achieved its goal. However, for a work that is supposed to be a product of Harvard and MIT alumni, I was disappointed.

These folks need to go back to formatting and editing one-of-one. Glad it was free.

This is a good primer for those who would like a brief introduction to the Civil War.

3.5 stars

Good

Great to read

Thoroughly compelling

This book draws you into the battle and moves you through each movement with clarity and insight. I enjoyed it immensely.

Good overview

A good overview of the battle. Shows the inept leadership of Gen Burnside and the waste of human life by attacking a fortified position.