Among Bearss' many roles over decades of activity in the Civil War arena as author, field excavator, and preservationist is that of battlefield guide. His perambulating commentary was converted to print in Fields of Honor (2006), a tour of the 14 clashes between the Blue and Gray, and this sequel does the same for Bearss' excursions to Vicksburg and Gettysburg. Set in the present tense, Bearss' text plunges readers into the flow of unfolding events, from Confederate leaders pondering strategic options after Lee's spectacular victory at Chancellorsville in May 1863, to generals' orders to their units, to soldiers North and South clashing in Mississippi and Pennsylvania. Wounded in WWII, Bearss imparts the look and emotion of combat so that his reader can imagine, for example, Johnny Reb's feelings as he steps off on Pickett's Charge. Bearss' presentation lacks only the author's growl and quasi-mystical storytelling manner but the audience will conjure those, too, as Bearss was one of the historian-stars of Ken Burns' documentary The Civil War. For buffs, Bearss' book hits the bull's-eye.--Taylor, Gilbert Copyright 2010 Booklist

Bearss (chief historian, emeritus, National Park Svc.) is a noted Civil War battlefield guide. This volume is packed with detailed information about the two campaigns that represented the major turning point of the Civil War, as well as Bearss's own observations and opinions. The book, however, is not without its flaws. The minutiae will please the enthusiast but may drive away the casual reader. There is an awkward shift from past to present tense early on. The book seems a literal transcription of Bearss's battlefield tours and carries that "you-are-there" approach that does not always work well on paper. Coauthor Hills's comments are separated from Bearss's and broken out in italics, which is distracting. Finally, the maps-in the galley reviewed-show geography in detail but lack the useful unit locations and troop movements. From this book, as well as Bearss's previous title, Fields of Honor, one gets the sense that his battlefield expeditions are an amazing experience but far better to appreciate in person than on paper. Verdict In spite of its drawbacks, this volume would be a useful addition to collections catering to Civil War buffs.-Matthew J. Wayman, Penn State Schuylkill Lib., Schuylkill Haven (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.