New additions to my library

I have purchased 4 books to add to my library and to my stack of "to be read," a stack which never seems to shrink (that's a good thing.)

The first is The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command by Edwin B. Coddington. This book seems to have a reputation as the best (or close to it) study of Gettysburg - not just the battle, but the time before and after it as well. It looks to have over 500 pages, plus detailed notes, so it may be some intense reading, but since I learned of this book, I have wanted a copy. Who knows when I will get to it, but I'm glad I have it now.

Civil War Commanders: From Fort Sumter to Appomattox Court House by Chester G Hearn, Rick Sapp and Steven Smith provides brief biographies of dozens of Civil War Generals. This will make a nice "quick reference" book to keep around and should be a good read too, especially on some of the commanders with whom I'm not familiar.

The third book is Escape on the Pearl by Mary Kay Ricks describes an escape attempt in the late 1840s by dozens of slaves on the ship called the Pearl. It certainly looks captivating and I am anxious to see how she desribes this event and its effects.

Last, but not least, is Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War, a chronicle of 14 important Civil War battles from the tours led by famed historian Edwin Bearss. I have never been on one of his tours, but have seen him on various Civil War programs and met people who have been on his trips, so this book is one I'm very happy to have. Mr. Bearss is a legend and I anxiously await the time I get to read this volume.