"Sickles at Gettysburg" is the first comprehensive and full-length biography of Daniel Sickles published in more than fifty years.
Praise for
Sickles at Gettysburg
"Other Sickles biographies will take a back seat to Hessler’s
powerful and evocative study of the man, the general, and the legacy
of the Gettysburg battlefield that old Dan left America. I highly recommend
this book.”
J. David Petruzzi, co-author of Plenty of Blame to Go Around: Jeb
Stuart's Controversial Ride to Gettysburg (2006) and author of The
Complete Gettysburg Guide (2009)
"A rare combination in one historical work - scholarly research and objectivity as well as an entertaining read. Hessler’s organized approach deftly navigates the difficult and often contradictory primary accounts and quotes. The author’s detailed analysis provides the serious student of the war an outstanding reference source for a controversial yet very influential man before, during, and after Gettysburg. With keen insight, Hessler shows a resilient individual with capabilities enough to re-invent himself – from politician to army general. This work is the best one-stop, comprehensive, and objective analysis to date. It is definitely a 'must have'.”
George W. Newton
Licensed Battlefield Guide –GNMP
Author of Silent Sentinels, A Reference Guide to the Artillery at Gettysburg
"One of the most colorful figures associated with the Battle of Gettysburg, Daniel Edgar Sickles has long been the topic of discussion and controversy. As a Licensed Battlefield Guide, Hessler provides us fresh and balanced view of the flamboyant General."
Tim Smith
Licensed Battlefield Guide - GNMP
Adams County Historical Society
Co-author of Devil's Den: A History and Guide
"This book is a breath of fresh air - it is an objective, thorough and readable examination of the controversial general. Hessler avoids getting bogged down in extreme reactions typically seen in others who write on this subject."
Sue Boardman
Licensed Battlefield Guide -GNMP
Leadership Program Coordinator, Gettysburg Foundation
Author of The Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama: A History and Guide
"Jim Hessler has done a masterful job of telling Sickles’ story. There have been other biographies about Sickles, but none does nearly as good a job of explaining his important role in the Civil War. Using a myriad of first person accounts, Hessler has skillfully produced a very readable and accurate story of Sickles’ activities. The several chapters on the Gettysburg Campaign are especially compelling, and are among the best I have ever read. Hessler tells the story from a neutral point of view, letting the reader form his or her own judgments. This book belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in the Civil War."
Brad Gottfried
Author of The Maps of Gettysburg (2007) and The Maps of First Bull Run (2009)
This New Biography Covers:
- Sickles’s murder of Philip Barton Key and the myth of his temporary insanity defense.
-
His friendships with notables such as Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, Joe Hooker, Dan Butterfield, James Longstreet, and others.
- Sickles’s lack of military experience and how he used political influence to receive promotions well above his levels of competence.
- The battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Pre-cursors to Gettysburg, these Union disasters seriously damaged Sickles’s relationship with George Meade.
- His controversial and influential performance at Gettysburg. It began with his late arrival on July 1, continued with his unauthorized advance to the Peach Orchard, and ended with a Confederate shell shattering his leg.
- Sickles’s post-battle attempts to discredit General Meade and declare himself the true hero of Gettysburg!
- His substantial role in developing Gettysburg National Military Park and his expulsion from the New York Monument Commission for misappropriation of funds.
- And Much More!
When one considers his battlefield and post-battle accomplishments, for better or worse, no single individual has had a greater impact on Gettysburg’s “history” than General Dan Sickles!
Do you have any comments or questions about "Sickles at Gettysburg: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abadoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself The Hero of Gettysburg"? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Jim Hessler at custer7@comcast.net
