I interviewed Petruzzi last June and Hessler last July.  Check out the interviews and reviews of these two books.

J. David Petruzzi Interview

James A. Hessler Interview

Congratulations to J.D., Steve and Jim!

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Savas Beatie Books Earn Literary Awards

El Dorado Hills, CA June 15, 2010 – Savas Beatie, LLC, is proud to announce the following historical awards and notable mentions.

“We are proud of our authors and titles,” noted managing director Theodore P. Savas, “and are humbled and honored by these awards.”

WINNER
The Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award, for Reference, 2009

The Complete Gettysburg Guide: Walking and Driving Tours of the Battlefield, Town, Cemeteries, Field Hospital Sites, and other Topics of Historical Interest
by J. David Petruzzi, with cartography by Steven Stanley (Savas Beatie, 2009)

At its Thirteenth Annual Members’ Meeting, held on Sunday at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA, the Army Historical Foundation recognized five books and three articles as outstanding achievements in writing on U.S. Army history. AHF President GEN William W. Hartzog, USA-Ret., announced the winners of the 2009 AHF Distinguished Writing Awards. The book award winners received a plaque honoring the book and a $1,000 cash award.

“J. David Petruzzi and Steven Stanley’s The Complete Gettysburg Guide is the definitive reference book for anyone planning to visit the Gettysburg battlefield,” said Matthew Seelinger, the Army Historical Foundation’s Chief Historian and Program Coordinator for the Foundation’s Distinguished Writing Awards Program.

“To be recognized by the U.S. Army Historical Foundation and to win this award is a great honor,” said author J. David Petruzzi. “Our primary goal was to motivate folks to walk the actual grounds traversed by the soldiers and citizens during the Battle of Gettysburg. That the book was recognized as the Reference Book of the Year humbles me greatly. Steve Stanley’s beautiful maps, layout and design make the book so easy and enjoyable to use, and we appreciate this honor more than can be expressed in mere words.”

Cartographer Steven Stanley agreed. “I am extremely grateful and blessed to have worked with J.D. Petruzzi on this project. His knowledge of the battle is mind blowing and his elegant writing was a perfect marriage with my maps and photos,” Stanley said. “I want to thank the U.S. Army Historical Foundation for this great honor and also want to thank our publisher Savas Beatie for believing in this book and giving us the free license on designing our book.”

The Army Historical Foundation, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the American soldier. Its goal is to promote greater public appreciation for the contributions that America’s Army – Active, Reserve, and National Guard – has made to the nation in 233 years of service.

The AHF Distinguished Writing Awards program was established in 1997 to recognize authors who make a significant contribution to the literature on U.S. Army history. Each year nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee by publishers and journal editors. A small group of finalists are selected and a final judging is made. For more information on the Foundation and its activities, please visit the AHF website at www.armyhistory.org.

About the Authors: J. David Petruzzi is widely recognized as one of the country’s leading Gettysburg experts.  In addition to his numerous articles for a wide variety of publications, he is the author (with Eric Wittenberg) of bestsellers Plenty of Blame to Go Around: JEB Stuart’s Controversial Ride to Gettysburg (Savas Beatie, 2006) and (with Wittenberg and Michael Nugent) One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, July 4-14, 1863 (Savas Beatie, 2008). Petruzzi is also a popular speaker on the Civil War Round Table circuit and regularly conducts tours of Civil War battlefields.

Steven Stanley lives in Gettysburg and is a graphics artist specializing in historical map design and battlefield photography. His maps, considered among the best in historical cartography, have been a longtime staple of the Civil War Preservation Trust and have helped raise millions of dollars for the Trust through their preservation appeals and interpretation projects. Steve’s maps have appeared in a wide variety of publications.

WINNER
The Bachelder-Coddington Literary Award, 2009
Given by the Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table of Central New Jersey

Sickles at Gettysburg: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg
by James A. Hessler (Savas Beatie, 2009)

The Bachelder-Coddington Literary Award is presented annually to the most original outstanding work on the Gettysburg Campaign. “[Sickles at Gettysburg] is now the standard working on Sickles,” award committee members stated. “Hessler takes a fresh approach to Sickles’ role in the battle of Gettysburg that enables readers to make their own determination on his controversial move forward.” Furthermore, committee members called the book, “an excellent portrait of a man who was larger than life.”

“I know that several excellent Gettysburg books were released last year, so I am truly honored to win this award,” said James Hessler. “When I wrote this book, I was not sure that the world would want to read a new Dan Sickles biography, so I continue to be thrilled by the reception and support that this book has gotten from the historical community. Love him or hate him, Dan Sickles is an important part of Gettysburg so his story deserved to be told.”

About the Author: James A. Hessler works in the financial services industry and is a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park. He has taught Sickles and Gettysburg-related courses for Harrisburg Area Community College and the Gettysburg Foundation. In addition to writing articles for publication, Hessler speaks regularly at Civil War Round Tables. A native of Buffalo, NY, he resides in Gettysburg with his wife and children.

About Savas Beatie, LLC:

Savas Beatie, LLC is a leading military and general history publishing company. Visit www.savasbeatie.com for more information.

Contact:
Sarah Keeney, Marketing Director, Savas Beatie, LLC
Email: sarahs@savasbeatie.com
Phone: 916-941-6896
Fax: 916-941-6895

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First, “The Complete Gettysburg Guide” offers more detail on the actions that took place before, and during the battle, than has previously been offered.  While not a complete narrative on the entire battle at Gettysburg, a novice to the battle will come away with a thorough understanding of the battle that would rival what they would learn by reading one of the better written books on Gettysburg.  With that said, someone like myself, who has read dozens of books on the battle, and has walked Gettysburg many times, will also learn many new things.  While you read the “Guide,” you will fully appreciate the many years that Petruzzi has spent studying the battle.

Second, the “Guide” has more maps than I have ever seen in any book, much less a battlefield guide – 72 by my count, including several period specific maps.  The author enlisted professional cartographer Steven Stanley to produce the maps and the fantastic photography used throughout the book.  Stanley, who many avid Civil War buffs know, through the use of his maps by the Civil War Preservation Trust, is undoubtedly today’s best cartographer.  The maps alone make this book a terrific value.  As I had mentioned to J.D., during our interview, every time that I wanted a map, to follow his text, it was either on the page I was reading, or the next page.

Third, Petruzzi uses many firsthand accounts of the actions on, and around, Gettysburg.  This makes the book very enjoyable to read.  Here is an example that I really enjoyed, “I would rather die on this spot than see those rascals gain one inch of ground.” US Brigadier General Stephen Weed’s last words.(i)  Weed died seconds later.

Fourth, the “Guide” allows the Gettysburg visitor to locate many out-of-the-way markers and unique battlefield sites.  I especially like the chapters on historic sites in village of Gettysburg, the Gettysburg National Cemetery, Evergreen Cemetery, Rock Carvings (actual carvings by battle participants) and the outlying field hospitals.  These can take you off the “beaten path” and allow you to see, “…primary “documents” (that) reside on the battlefield itself…”(ii)

If you are planning a visit to Gettysburg, anytime in the future, you need to add this book to your collection.  For those of you that have never been to Gettysburg, or for those seasoned Civil War enthusiasts, I encourage you to buy this book for the narrative, maps and pictures.  It is a great stand alone narrative of the battle with new material that you will not find in any other full length books on the Battle of Gettysburg.

Enjoy reading this great book!

I had the pleasure of interviewing J. David Petruzzi, on Friday, May 29.  The links below allow you to listen to the interview.  There are eleven parts, so you can listen to all of them, or a few at a time, until you are done.  J.D. gives some great insights on writing this book, and his experiences at Gettysburg National Battlefield Park.  Let me know what you think about the interview, and “The Complete Gettysburg Guide,” by posting a comment on the article/interview.  I am certain that J.D. will be monitoring the comments.  If you leave a question for him, I am certain he will leave an answer for you.

Details about “The Complete Gettysburg Guide”
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Savas Beatie, LLC.
Date of First Edition: June 1, 2009
ISBN-10: 1932714634

J. David Petruzzi Interview – 11 Parts
Total Time: 1 hour, 4 minutes, 27 seconds

Part 1:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 1
Time: 7:11
Contents: Welcome | About J. David Petruzzi | Growing interest in the Civil War | Why write a new Gettysburg guide? | Discussion of Petruzzi’s writing style

Part 2:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 2
Time: 8:10
Contents: The “most” Complete Gettysburg Guide | Petruzzi explains how he has learned about Gettysburg | Hidden treasures of the Day 1 tour | Prelude to the Wheat Field fighting – easy to miss areas on Day 2 | Helping readers understand the complicated parts of the battlefield

Part 3:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 3
Time: 3:53
Contents: Prelude to the Wheat Field (continued) | Can there be a complete Gettysburg guide? | Benefit of walking vs. driving

Part 4:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 4
Time: 8:28
Contents: Discussion on Steve Stanley’s maps | Steve Stanley’s contribution to the layout/design of The Complete Gettysburg Guide

Part 5:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 5
Time: 5:18
Contents: How long J.D. has been working on book | Discussion on the “Complete Guide’s” introduction

Part 6:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 6
Time: 7:23
Contents: Further discussion on the introduction | J.D.’s thoughts on writing magazine articles | Discussion on first hand accounts of battle | Publisher Ted Savas’ influence on the book

Part 7:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 7
Time: 2:58
Contents: The use of GPS coordinates in the “Complete Guide”

Part 8:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 8
Time: 5:41
Contents: Unique and little known sites at Gettysburg | Petruzzi’s methodology of research through listening | “Complete Guide” as a stepping stone to more complete knowledge of Gettysburg

Part 9:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 9
Time: 5:39
Contents: Coordinating text with the maps | Collaborating with Steve Stanley | Using the “Complete Guide” while visiting Gettysburg

Part 10:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 10
Time: 4:31
New areas to explore at Gettysburg | Students and schools using as a treasure hunt

Part 11:  J. David Petruzzi Interview – Part 11
Time: 4:56
Upcoming projects and books | Thank you and wrap up

Other Titles by J. David Petruzzi

Plenty of Blame to Go Around: Jeb Stuart’s Controversial Ride to Gettysburg
J. David Petruzzi and Eric Wittenberg

Hardcover: 456 pages
Publisher: Savas Beatie, LLC.
Date of First Edition: September 1, 2006
ISBN-10: 1932714200

One Continuous Fight: The Retreat from Gettysburg and the Pursuit of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, July 4 – 14, 1863
J. David Petruzzi, Eric Wittenberg and Michael F. Nugent

Hardcover: 576 pages
Publisher: Savas Beatie, LLC.
Date of First Edition: June 2008
ISBN-10: 193271443X 

(i) Petruzzi, J. David and Stanley, Steven, The Complete Gettysburg Guide, published by Savas Beatie, LLC. 2009, Pg. 85.
(ii) Petruzzi, J. David and Stanley, Steven, The Complete Gettysburg Guide, published by Savas Beatie, LLC. 2009, Pg. 242.