Little Round Top at Gettysburg: A Reassessment of July 2, 1863 by Joseph Michael Boslet

I well remember when former-President Mike Somerville said, during a Zoom presentation, that ACWRT(UK) had members who would buy any book with Gettysburg in the title. I must admit that I used to be in that group but, as the years have gone on, I now need a very good reason to buy another Gettysburg volume.

However, I did succumb to this new release from the Savas Beatie stable. Authored by Joseph Michael Boslet, a Vietnam combat veteran, Little Round Top at Gettysburg, A Reassessment of July 2, 1863 has proved to be a worthwhile purchase.

This is not a Chamberlain and 20th Maine worshipping work, but neither is it attempting to knock them off their pedestal. Rather Boslet reviews everything that happened and pays full credit to the other troops involved in repulsing the confederate attacks on that most famous part of the battlefield. His observations are of special interest as he uses a professional soldier’s understanding of combat. He pays attention to both Union and Confederate regiments and commanders that have tended to be pushed into the background in previous works. Patrick O'Rorke, Gouverneur Warren, Strong Vincent, the 44th New York, the 140th New York, the 16th Michigan, the 83rd Pennsylvania and many others get their time in the limelight.

At the same time the author doesn’t hold back from offering criticism where he feels it is warranted and this stretches to The Killer Angels and the movie Gettysburg, both of which are blamed for most of the myths that have grown up over the years considering this famous action. This is ironic as many of us had our interest in the Civil War fire after reading/watching these.

Mr Boslet has made extensive use of personal diaries and journals which greatly enhance the already highly readable story. For each of his conclusions he has full explanations and challenges traditional views and makes the reader reconsider the action in a new light.

This book is interesting, enlightening, very readable and even made this Gettysburg Nerd think again. Highly recommended!

Colin E. Wilks