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Chancellorsville  By  cover art

Chancellorsville

By: Stephen Sears
Narrated by: Richard Davidson
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Publisher's summary

A former editor of American Heritage, Stephen W. Sears has collected a wealth of new sources for this definitive portrait of one of the most dramatic battles of the Civil War. Using scores of letters and diaries written by soldiers from both Union and Confederate armies, Sears’ narrative history seeks to strip away the gloss of later commentary and restore the battle of Chancellorsville to its original voices.

Chancellorsville is often touted as Robert E. Lee’s greatest victory. Prompted by a campaign that maneuvered brigades on both sides into complex positions, it culminated in the most intense hours of fighting in the entire Civil War. But when the battle was over, the price of victory had been high. Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded. Lee was committed to press north into more threatening odds.

In Chancellorsville, Stephen Sears carefully traces the movements of both armies and offers fascinating vignettes of daily life within the ranks. Looking at issues from horse fodder to critical military strategy, he examines the personal and military cost of this historic clash of armies.

©1996 Stephen W. Sears (P)1997 Recorded Books
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about Chancellorsville

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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It's a Wonderful Tool

What made the experience of listening to Chancellorsville the most enjoyable?

It taught me a lot about the differences between the Union & Confederate armies. It's a good management tool besides an excellent history lesson

What about Richard Davidson’s performance did you like?

He's a good narrator. His voice is not too tiring.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

May 2rd, 3rd & what the Union army did at Fredrickburg

Any additional comments?

If I were teaching a class in Management, I would make this book required reading & I would include many test questions from this book at Final exams.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Engrossing

If you could sum up Chancellorsville in three words, what would they be?

Lee's greatest victory

What did you like best about this story?

Brilliantly told story of one of the most complex campains of the Civil War .Well detailed and researched . Anyone no matter what their level of knowledge of civil war history will find this book entertaining .

Have you listened to any of Richard Davidson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listen to any of his books before . But I fiound his unusual and dramatic style entertaining and added greatly to my enjoyment of this book. I think the narrator is one of my very favourites .

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • PW
  • 03-13-24

Good read

Narrative style, details on key general moves made for great story. South outclassed every Union general until US Grant ground the south to dust.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book on the battle.

Well read and great writing! very happy with the purchase. I plan on grabbing more of Sear's books.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book held back by narrator.

Great book, however glaring mispronunciations ultimately keep this book from 5 stars. Short lived pronounced Lived with a long I. Darious mispronounced. Often. Love the Sears books, this one deserved a better narrator.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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Not Very Good

I thought that Shelby Foote,s account in the 2nd volume of his Civil War history was much clearer and more comprehensive than this dedicated version. Also, the narration was distracting, overly dramatic..
. not easy to listen to. I would not market this audiobook. it was that bad.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Great Book

Stephen Sears digs into the logistics of the battle along with the tactics and politics. It is the logistics that separates him from so many other authors. This doesn't mean it's boring. It has a whole new layer to the tales of this battle.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • vn
  • 03-10-19

Long, Not bad

But I am finding these war novels, with lots of map and geographical information is tough to follow by ear.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

If Joe Hooker were still alive ...

... this is pretty much the book on Chancellorsville he’d write. Sears writes well, includes lots of detail, but seems to wish (like many latter day historians) to rehabilitate Hooker’s image.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well done!

A very complicated campaign fought over many days and between two armies led by flawed and colorful men, But Sears conveys it in a way that is easy to follow and brushes aside misconceptions to give the reader a clear picture. Definitely recommend to the Civil War enthusiast.

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