On Great Fields The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

About the Book

On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain by Ronald C. White is a biography of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the Bowdoin College professor who became a Union officer and one of the notable figures of the American Civil War.

White follows Chamberlain's life from his upbringing and education in Maine through his academic career, military service and later years. The book places his Civil War experience within the wider story of nineteenth-century American history.

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the Civil War

Before the Civil War, Chamberlain was a professor at Bowdoin College and had studied at Bangor Theological Seminary. In 1862, he volunteered for the Union army and eventually became an officer in the Army of the Potomac.

A major episode in the biography is Chamberlain's role at Gettysburg. During the second day of the battle, his 20th Maine Regiment defended Little Round Top. After his men ran low on ammunition, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge that helped repel the Confederate attack.

White also examines Chamberlain beyond the famous battlefield episode, exploring his intellectual, spiritual and political life and the different stages of his career.

A Biography of a Civil War Figure

The book draws together military history and biography to examine Chamberlain's development as a scholar, soldier and public figure. It considers his experiences before, during and after the Civil War rather than focusing solely on his battlefield reputation.

The hardcover edition is also illustrated and includes detailed maps that help place Chamberlain's military experiences within their historical and geographic context.

Key Features

Author: Ronald C. White; Biography of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain; American Civil War history; Covers Chamberlain's academic, military and later life; Gettysburg and Little Round Top; Includes illustrations and detailed maps; 512-page hardcover edition.

Who Is It For?

This book is suitable for readers interested in Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the American Civil War, Gettysburg, military history and historical biography. It may also appeal to readers interested in the relationship between Chamberlain's academic, spiritual and military life.

Product Details

Author: Ronald C. White; Publisher: Random House; Publication Date: 31 October 2023; Edition: First Edition; Format: Hardcover; Pages: 512; ISBN: 9780525510086; Language: English.

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