Lost Triumph

Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg And Why It Failed

By: Tom Carhart

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

A fascinating narrative, and a bold new thesis in the study of the Civil War, that suggests Robert E. Lee had a heretofore undiscovered strategy at Gettysburg that, if successful, could have crushed the Union forces and changed the outcome of the war.

The Battle of Gettysburg is the pivotal moment when the Union forces repelled perhaps America's greatest commander, the brilliant Robert E. Lee, who had already thrashed a long line of Federal opponents, just as he was poised at the back door of Washington, D.C. It is the moment in which the fortunes of Lee, Lincoln, the Confederacy, and the Union hung precariously in the balance.

Conventional wisdom has held to date, almost without exception, that on the third day of the battle, Lee made one profoundly wrong decision. But how do we reconcile Lee the high-risk warrior with Lee the general who launched "Pickett's Charge", employing only a fifth of his total forces, across an open field, up a hill, against the heart of the Union defenses? Most history books have reported that Lee just had one very bad day. But there is much more to the story, which Tom Carhart addresses for the first time.

With meticulous detail and startling clarity, Carhart revisits the historic battles Lee taught at West Point and believed were the essential lessons in the art of war: the victories of Napoleon at Austerlitz, Frederick the Great at Leuthen, and Hannibal at Cannae, and reveals what they can tell us about Lee's real strategy. What Carhart finds will thrill all students of history: Lee's plan for an electrifying rear assault by Jeb Stuart that, combined with the frontal assault, could have broken the Union forces in half. Only in the final hours of the battle was the attack reversed through the daring of an unproven young general: George Armstrong Custer.

©2005 Tom Carhart (P)2005 Tantor Media, Inc.

A MUST READ

This tied up so many loose ends about the reason for many statements, and actions that anyone knowing of Lee at Gettysburg, would have asked about that third day. I cant believe no one else had ever come up with these obvious conclusions in the past. I?ve heard about 50 books from audible this year, 46 concerning the civil war, this was in the top 2, along with Shelby Footes? narrative. Though YHIS book was much more exciting!! ty

Finally

I know that many historians may disagree with the author but I don’t. They weight of the evidence is clear. As southern boy I still dream of being on the battle field of Gettysburg. One can only dream though. One thing I will say is that Pickett’s charge was very brave and I must say that in order to make such a murderous attack one would think there had to be something they were awaiting. Lee may not have shared all his plans with his commanders but those men had seen his tactics before and knew that they had to perform.

Anyway the history is never written by the vanquished. Great book and I do believe He is correct.

Terrific theory. Very Plausible.

I read and listened. The Theory is very plausible. Carhart uses circumstantial evidence to create his theory on Day 3.

This just makes sense…

Yes …another book about Gettysburg….
But, while not an captivating written or narration this book IS vitally important to finally understand Day #3 of the battle.

It always puzzled me why a brilliant tactician as Lee would launch a desperate, almost suicidal charge on the union center on that day.

Finally, Carhart lays out his theory that places Pickett’s assault in the framework of a grander plan that might have resulted in Lee’s greatest victory ever.

This book belongs on the civil war historian’s bookshelf.
It is absolutely worth the somewhat methodical and sometimes disjointed narrative Carhart chooses to use.
But in the end you have a very well supported thesis that finally makes sense of what seemed like a senseless slaughter. Glad to have read it.

Now I want to go back to Gettyburg and spend more time on the East Cavalry Battlefield.

Slow Start - Strong Finish

A very interesting book - even for the well-read Civil War or Gettysburg individual. While the early chapters are a familiar review of the war up to Gettysburg there are some interesting sections related to the early years of Custer as well as the Napoleon influence on military strategy of the time. Very good ending chapters- the author has an interesting view of what really might have been the overall battle design of Lee on the infamous 3rd day

Excellent book.

Provided previously unknown information about Gettysburg. I have to admit that I found the authors premise believable. I highly recommend it for the serious student of the Civil War.

Best book I’ve read in 3.1415 years

I was going to say that it’s the best book I’ve read in a year, but it’s better than that. But I’m not sure it’s the best book I’ve read in a decade either. It’s very good.

Having studied Gettysburg somewhat has an armature for more than 30 years, there is nothing in the book in the way of facts that I didn’t know. He takes the same facts and convincingly argues for a different conclusion. One that is at once simpler and more logical. It left me wondering why everyone doesn’t reach this conclusion (i.e., without help).

Great Book

I've listened to several Civil War books including Shelby Foote's epic three volume series. This book presents a fresh perspective on Robert E. Lee and Gettysburg which complements the others admirably. Approached in a sober, scholarly way, the author makes his case very convincingly. This book is extremely interesting and well-researched. It takes the time to fill in all the necessary background information so that the conclusion makes perfect sense. The result is a much better understanding of Lee, his background and motivations, and the events which resulted in the turning point of the war.

Another Look At The Gettysburg Battle

I've read many books on this battle, and just when I thought I knew it all. This looks at the 3rd day a little differently, by looking at the calvary battle, and the charge of Pickets Brigades and what Lee was hoping for, but never did materialize. A very interestng Look.

One of the best!

I have read many books on the Civil War, and this audiobook is on my top 3 list! It’s a very detailed description of the battle of Gettysburg. and how a few decisions changed the outcome of the battle. Engrossing from beginning to end!