Through Blood & Fire
Historian Nesbitt (Saber and Scapegoat, Stackpole, 1994) skillfully brings together the correspondence of Joshua Chamberlain during the years of the Civil War. In a transitional narrative provided by the editor that allows the letters to flow into a superb text, the book begins with Chamberlain's petition for service with the Maine units heading off to war. While concentrating on the war years, Nesbitt includes not only Chamberlain's heroic actions on Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg but also his other important battles at Fredericksburg and his near-fatal charge at Petersburg. Selected to oversee the laying down of Confederate arms at Appomattox, Chamberlain declared, "It is by miracles we have lived to see this day, any of us standing here." His military service having now come full circle, he reflected on the body of men that was the Union army and stated, "This army will live, and live on, so long as soul shall answer soul." Well organized with a balance of text, letters, and narrative, this work is recommended for all libraries.?Barbara A. Zaborowski, Cambria Cty. Lib., Johnstown, Pa.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.