First Day at Gettysburg

Crisis at the Crossroads

Warren H. Hassler, Jr.

Narrated by Gregg A. Rizzo

Available from Audible

Book published by The University of Alabama Press

Noted historian, Warren W. Hassler Jr., seeks to demonstrate that the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg was largely decided on the first day of combat. He does this by way of a highly detailed (at times almost minute-by-minute) and engrossing descriptive analysis of the action on that day. The narrative is "popular" in the sense that it can be read with pleasure and understanding by almost anyone interested in the subject. Primarily, however, the book is a "revisionist" interpretation of the battle as a whole. As such it has been commended as a valuable contribution to military history.

Warren H. Hassler, Jr. is an Emeritus Professor of American History at Pennsylvania State University, University Park. He is the author of Commanders of the Army of the Potomac and other books.

REVIEWS:

“Hassler’s forte is unit combat; he combines a thorough mastery of the terrain with concise and colorful accounts of the ferocious fighting of that bloody day. His creation of the clash of brigades is Civil War history at its best.”

—Civil War History

“Hassler, a noted Civil War authority, has concentrated on the terrible, crucial combat of the first day; students of the war will appreciate Hassler’s good research and writing. The book is a clear presentation of a complex battle. Highly recommended.”

—CHOICE