Landscape Turned Red: The Battle of Antietam

While the battle that took place in Pennslyvania nearly a year later looms much larger in the popular mind, the battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg to the Rebels) looms almost as important. Had not General Lee's battle plans fallen into the hands of the Union (which the dithering General McClelland almost failed to take advantage of) President Lincoln would have been unable to issue the emancipation proclamation and the European powers might have officially recognized the Confederacy, therby permanently splitting the United States. Author Sears's account brings the battle to life in all of its terrible glory. Anyone with an interest in the Civil War should read this book.

IN MY OPINION THERE IS NO BETTER BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF ANTIETAM. MR SEARS ENABLES THE READER TO FOLLOW BOTH ARMIES ON THEIR FATEFUL MARCH INTO HISTORY AT THE PLACE WHERE THE ROADS CAME TOGETHER. I HAVE USED THIS BOOK AS A TEACHING AID SINCE 1987. AFTER READING LANDSCAPE TURNED RED, EVERY PERSON THAT I HAVE TAKEN TO ANTIETAM HAS HAD A BETTER GRASP OF THE BATTLEFIELD LAYOUT. THEY ARE ABLE TO MORE EASILY VISUALIZE MENTALLY THE EVENTS AND TROOP PLACEMENTS OF THE BLOODIEST DAY IN OUR NATIONS MILITARY HISTORY. MR SEARS IS NOT SHY TO POINT OUT THE PETTY AND NATURAL FLAWS OF SOME OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT SOLDIERS OF THAT ERA. HE ALSO GIVES CREDIT TO THOSE WHO WERE DESERVING AND ANONYMOUS FOR OVER 100 YEARS. THE BOOK FLOWS WITHOUT THE CONSTANT MINDNUMBING FACTS THAT LULL MOST HISTORY READERS TO SLEEP. MR SEARS IS NOT SLOW TO SEPERATE FACT FROM FICTION. HE DEPICTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS BATTLE THROUGH A GIFTED STYLE , NOT BY MERE NUMBERS OF DEAD AND WOUNDED. HE CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF DAY AND THE LOST OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE UNION GENERALS HELD IN THEIR HANDS TO CONQUER THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND SAVE THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN LIVES. I ENCOURAGE EVERY READER WHO IS EVEN SLIGHTLY INTERESTED IN THE CIVIL WAR AND THE ANTIETAM CAMPAIGN TO READ THIS BOOK.