Item Detail

This book is a photographic recreation of pivotal moments in the Battle of Gettysburg. Modern battlefield photographs, reenactor images and computer graphics details yield a uniquely realilstic, time-machine-like portrayal of Pickett's charge.

Clasby's book on the Battle of Gettysburg offers nothing new in the way of insights or research-but that is not its purpose. Instead, Clasby, a professional photographer, Civil War buff, and former NFL defensive tackle, attempts to bring the battle to life by using computer-enhanced digital photographs of reenactors to place them on the actual battlefield, where such reenactments are forbidden. He uses technology to remove any modern intrusions and add smoke, blood, and general mayhem to the scene. Comprising 15 full-color, double-page spreads, the photographs re-create pivotal battle scenes such as the Little Round Top, Charge of the 1st Minnesota, and Pickett's Charge. The book also includes 30 19th-century photographs, some taken immediately after the battle. A brief appendix describes where each color photo was taken and what was removed from the current scene. Although the digitized images are striking, they still have a staged feel and cannot conjure up the absolute horror of the battle. Still, they are both eye-catching and inspiring, and the narrative is well written. Given that interest in the Civil War is constant and that this year is the 140th anniversary of Gettysburg, the book will circulate well. Recommended for larger public libraries.-Robert Flatley, Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib., Kutztown Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

---

Essentially a colorful Civil War reenactment in book form, this volume uses photos and digital technology to reconstruct realistic and detailed images of key scenes in the battle. Well-selected photographs show each location as it was in 1863 and as it is today, along with some scenes from the 1880s. The digital reconstructions are the heart of the book, its most novel feature and the one likely to draw the most comment. On the whole, that comment should be favorable, as the painstaking work of the author's firm, Historic Graphics, renders an impressive combination of color, solidity and realism to each scene. The scenes showing difficult geographical features (such as the Devil's Den and the Railroad Cut) offer more new insights than the ones laid on open terrain. Also, graphic license (carefully labeled) had to be taken with some natural features, vegetation and smoke, to give the reader a better view of the proceedings than the combatants had 140 years ago. The narrative portions are an entirely acceptable summary of the battle, particularly for comparative newcomers to the subject. The significant historiographical value as well as the novelty should generate a respectable readership among Civil War buffs. (May) Forecast: This book makes an ideal companion piece to James MacPherson's Hallowed Ground (Forecasts, Feb. 3), where the historian walks the grounds of Gettysburg and narrates the battle. This format has considerable potential, as the price of digital graphics continues to shrink. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.