GDG- Top ten focus

[Tom Ryan]

<<The original posted question referred specifically to the battle: "What
would be considered the top ten books on the battle that someone should
have in their library?" So that's why I think responses on the whole
have been that way.

I would say that opening it up to include the whole campaign would
certainly make the task a lot harder...

It's sort of like the question a couple of years ago that was never
really answered: "What are the top 10 articles in The Gettysburg
Magazine?" How the heck could one do /that/?!?>>

Hi Alan,

	Actually the original premise dealt with "Gettysburg" not the "Battle of
Gettysburg," but I see your point.  The reason I threw out the "focus"
question was to broaden the discussion to what GDGers prefer to concentrate
on.  My sense over the years is that most laser in on the battle, and tend
to exclude the larger campaign.

	That may very well relate to a "time available" issue, since the battle
itself requires a lot of effort to understand.  I think, though, once you
examine the preparation for and aftermath of the event, you gain a greater
appreciation for the significance of the three-day battle.  Not to mention
that the clashes at Brandy Station, Loudoun Valley, Hanover, Carlisle,
Hunterstown, etc., etc. are all at least indirectly related to the outcome
at Gettysburg.  It just makes the overall picture much richer and clearer.

Tom