Edwin C. Bearss (1923–2020)

There are countless battlefields across the American landscape, including dozens from the Civil War era. Over the years, markers have been erected on many of these battlefields to identify them and to inform people of the military significance of the location. For most people, though, the battles and events seem lost to history without a guide to tell the story of what happened there.

In "Fields of Honor," longtime battlefield tour leader Ed Bearss, now Historian Emeritus of the National show more Park Service, tells the stories of fourteen such places. Taken from hundreds of hours of audio recordings from countless tours Bearss has led since 1991, the book offers the human drama within many of the most important battles and campaigns in the Civil War, including Gettysburg and Antietam.

Bearss' ability to visualize the action and characterize the personalities of generals and privates -- and everyone in between -- is inspiring. For each battle or campaign, he is able to both offer a compelling account of the large scale battle and battle plans while also sharing numerous stories within the battle. Perhaps this appreciation comes from his own experience as a Marine who served during World War II. When coupled with Bearss' engaging storytelling and passion for the people who fought, it is nearly mesmerizing, even in print without the full benefit of hearing his unique voice and energy.

The most appealing aspect of the book, particularly for those who have read widely about the Civil War, is unquestionably Bearss' even-handed approach. When describing tactical mistakes, especially the large-scale ones, he carefully explains the underlying plans which led to certain decisions. Unlike so many other authors, he never presents anyone as stupid; instead, he usually offers good context which explains how decisions -- good, bad, and otherwise -- were made by the people who had to make them. With this empathy, he offers realistic portraits of the men who struggled.

Overall, the book is a treasure, filled with a lifetime of anecdotes and attention to the ebb and flow of battle. From the beginning it is unexpectedly engaging, even for someone who has visited only about half of the battlefields that Bearss describes. For those who have little interest in such things, but who have loved ones who do, it also can serve as a fine introduction to make battlegrounds seem more than empty fields with the occasional marker. show less

I have had the pleasure of hearing the venerable Mr. Bearss speak on Civil War battles, and his in-depth knowledge of and passion for Civil War history is a wonder. He has a certain cadence and pattern to his speaking which actually shows up in his book Fields of Honor: Pivotal Battles of the Civil War. This is a mixed bag, though. It is good, because the reader can feel his passion and his knowledge of even the most minute details of these encounters and the bigger history around them. It show more is bad, however, because reading is not listening. Where a tour audience might follow from one point to the next, the reader struggles to shift so quickly between the battle at hand and some minor- yet interesting- point being made.

The book is written in a conversational tone, almost as if someone followed Mr. Bearss around recording his lectures. It's rather like trying to understand a topic by reading from lecture notes.

I would recommend this book as a companion to those who will be touring any of the battlefields Bearss describes. show less

A simple declarative sentence is a joy forever. To write one is a great achievement. To read one is glorious. To read many is sublime.

This is not just another book about the Civil War — that most uncivil war between the states that bled America white to free America's blacks. This is oral narrative. It is stories told by a master story-teller: a man who has gone to war, been shot at, attacked entrenched enemies on foot, been wounded, been carried from the field in shock as his own blood show more drenched the earth. Edwin Bearss speaks from personal knowledge.

And here is the joy of his writing: it comes from his speaking. This superb collection of tales was sieved and sifted from more than 300 hours of taped battlefield tours, transcribed by a host of volunteers, superbly edited and masterfully assembled.

This brief volume ought to be required reading for young historians. It will be a splendid read for anyone interested in the narrative art. show less

I enjoyed my time in Edwin C. Bearss's "Fields of Honor". It reminded me of the Spring Break I spent with my grandparents touring the major Civil War battlefields of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Bearss provides new insight into some of the most important battles in not only Civil War history but military history itself. His own experience in World War II lends itself to a wonderful narrative of how a battlefield, as he states, "feels, sounds, and smells". Throughout the work the show more reader can feel his own arguments and perspectives on why things happened the way they did, what decisions were made because of particular actions, and overall military engagements that changed the course of history. Though I have read several books about the Civil War, Bearss offered something new, a very rare occurrence when it comes to the overly studied subject of the war between the north and the south.

The work contains wonderful maps and informative breakdowns of the major actions of battles between 1861 and 1865. Bearss also takes the time to set the stage for the conflict in analyzing events such as Harper's Ferry and the state of the Regular Army before Fort Sumter was attacked. These factors not only support his future arguments but give the reader a better sense of why things happened the way they did through the first years of the war.

He explores the engagements at Fort Sumter, First Manassas (Bull Run), Shiloh, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Sherman's March through the Carolinas, and Appamattox. Each in depth look examines all aspects of the battles and analyzes the actions and outcomes on both sides, a huge commitment on the part of Bearss. I particularly enjoyed his look at Gettysburg and his thoughts on why the Army of Northern Virginia lost the most important battle in the war itself. It is no small feat to examine the inner workings of several commanders, why they make the decisions they do and how it effects the overall picture.

All in all it is an interesting work that I will be referencing again and again. It would be a perfect companion to any tour of a major Civil War battlefield. Beautifully composed, I know I will be recommending it to fellow Civil War Buffs. show less