The Twentieth Maine

By: John J. Pullen

Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

From rockbound coast, from farm and logging camp came the men of the Twentieth Maine, a volunteer regiment in the Civil War. It was at Little Round Top that the Twentieth Maine, with Joshua Chamberlain in command, performed one of the miracles of the Civil War and saved the left flank of the Union battle line. Outnumbered two to one, their front doubled back to the shape of a horseshoe. And with ammunition gone, the men fixed bayonets, charged, and not only broke up the Confederate attack, but also took 400 prisoners.

At Appomattox, the Twentieth Maine was one of the regiments chosen to receive the surrender of General Lee's infantry, and Joshua Chamberlain, the Bowdoin professor who had become a general, was appointed to command the Union troops at the ceremony.

©1957 John J. Pullen (P)2001 Blackstone Audiobooks

Riveting!

If you liked Band of Brothers for it's "too good to be a true story" quality, you'll like The Twentieth Maine. A truly inspiring story of ordinary men in extraordinary times.

Beautifully written

This is one of my favorites of the more than 60 books I’ve read in the last couple of years about the Civil War. Some are so bone dry, just going on and on about what regiment stood where, and so on and so forth. Mr. Pullen not only went into enough details to satisfy the most nit picky reader, but he also wrote prose that was so evocative and moving that it literally put you in the mud next to these men and brought their stories to life. I remain astounded by the courage and selflessness of so many of them, and wish that that kind of attitude, and that kind of heart, existed today. I’m sad that I finished listening to this last night - it was one of those books I wish could go on forever.

Worth Temembering

The Civil War isn’t really over because we haven’t fully settled our issues. So it is worth remembering the absolute devotion of a generation who held things together so we could continue groping our way to a more perfect union. This book was an emotional experience for me, a Southerner, heir to all this agony.

One of the finest Civil War books I've read

I was expecting this to be a possibly dry or mediocre book, but on the contrary, it excells nearly all other Civil War books I've read. Pullen had a true literary gift, and he deftly weaves primary sources into his own measured yet poetic prose.

On a personal note, one of my ancestors fought in the 20th Maine, in company F, and I was amazed by some of the terrible situations company F got into. Everyone knows about Little Round Top, but I had no idea company F was nearly annihilated in the Wilderness. Makes my skin crawl a little, reflecting on how I exist at all despite what my ancestor faced.

Simply Magnificent

Perhaps one of the most moving stories of the Civil War I’ve ever heard. I found myself reliving various events of the three conflicts I fought as the last chapter was read. In the other chapters I could almost smell the smoke of battle and feel the mud sucking at my feet. I am astonished that I was unfamiliar with this author until now.

Excellent detail

Too often Civil War books concentrate on the Generals and Grand Strategy. "The Twentieth Main" provides and excellent balance between the generals and the soldiers and is a must listen for anyone interested in the details about how the common soldiers lived the equipment they used, the food they ate etc., throughout the war. It gives Joshua Chamberlain his just due, but also provides good narratives about the other officers and soldiers of this fabled regiment.

Excellent account of one of the Civil Wars most honored units

Delightful survey of the 20th Maine’s journey from backwoods conscripts, to trained unit of the line, to honor and immortality at Little Round Top. Joshua Chamberlain is, of course, prominently featured but does not commander the story until the very end. I particularly enjoyed the little-known story of the March from Appomattox to Washington, through Richmond, the discovery of the assassination, and the Grand Review. Flowing narrative, ably read. The ending was a bit abrupt, but I think that was a production issue, and not a short-coming in the overall product.

Great presentation of terrible times

A wonderful presentation. The reader and writer brought me through those terrible experiences and times.

A very good book

This book is a first rate historical book of the times and lives of soldiers of the 20th Maine during the American civil war.

Both the writing and the narration keeps the book flowing through this important era of American history.

A Great Man and Story

I live in Brunswick, Maine where Major General Chamberlain spent much of his life after the war. Promoted to General as he lay dying, he ultimately survived until 1914 when he passed away. After the war he was Maine Governor and President of Bowdoin College. His Grave is located in a cemetery on Bowdoin College land where it has become a tradition to leave a Lincoln Penny face up on his grave in respect for his service and love of country. This is also the best book that I have read which explains the difficult life of the average solder during the war. I had the honor to meet the author John Pullen and he was a great writer and man.