Landscape Turned Red

The Battle of Antietam

By: Stephen W. Sears

Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

The Civil War battle waged on September 17, 1862, at Antietam Creek, Maryland, was one of the bloodiest in the nation's history: On this single day, the battle claimed nearly 23,000 casualties. In Landscape Turned Red, the renowned historian Stephen Sears draws on a remarkable cache of diaries, dispatches, and letters to recreate the vivid drama of Antietam as experienced not only by its leaders but also by its soldiers, both Union and Confederate. Combining brilliant military analysis with narrative history of enormous power, Landscape Turned Red is the definitive work on this climactic and bitter struggle.

©1983 Stephen W. Sears (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"The best account of the Battle of Antietam." (The New York Times Book Review)
"No other book so vividly depicts that battle, the campaign that preceded it, and the dramatic political events that followed." (Washington Post Book World)

the most in-depth and detailed account of Antietam

This book is without a doubt the most detailed account of that horrible day you will ever find. It is stuffed with personal anecdotes of everyone from the privates all the way up to the generals, as well as the civilians who experience the battle. It was a chaotic battle, so this work can be hard to follow, but Sears does a good job of striking through the confusion to create a coherent and compelling narrative. If you read one book on Antietam make it this one

Excellent Book

I have read Sears' Gettysburg book and wanted to try another - and was not disappointed. I have read various books as to the battle of Antietam but this is the most comprehensive. Sears has a nice way of providing some background information and detailing events leading up to the battle. Then the details of the ultimate battle make it seem as if you were in the middle of it.
I recommend this for a wide varitey of audiences.

A detailed accounting

An unbiased work of America's Bloodest Single Day of Combat. Mr Sears, thank you.

A great telling account of the battle of Antietam

I have several books on the battle of Antietam. Regardless of this fact, I enjoyed the audiobook. The narrator did an excellent presentation and added immensely to my enjoyment. Moreover, I learned some facts missing from the other books and audiobooks in my library.

A Challenge Mer

The history of the most intense day of combat in American history is a major accomplishment on the page, but a triumph when read aloud. Aside from the wobbly pronunciation of Thomas Meagher's name--sometimes "Mahr" and sometimes "Meager" it is an excellent presentation of Sears's lucid story telling--a modern military history classic.

the best book on Antietam well performed

Sears engages you and makes the story of everything leading up to Antietam and the effects of Antietam fascinating.

Excellent work

The detail and research in this work is exhaustive yet not exhausting. Antietam is a complex battle with many moving parts and actors, yet Sears brings it all together very nicely. He manages to bring the actions and thoughts of both commanders which gives a clear view of the battle. Whiteners narration is excellent. I'm anxious to read-hear other words by Sears.

Excellent book on Antietam

If you were to read only one book on Antietam, this would be it. Well written and well read.

Civil War Battle Follow up!

In keeping with my tour of Civil War tomes after completing Gwynne’s Jackson biography, I moved into Sears book. Landscape Turned Red. A fantastic book on the Battle at Sharpsburg and Antietam creek. The book captures the ferocity and courage of both sides from The Cornfield to the East and West Woods to Bloody Lane and finally to Butnside’s Bridge. A complete and comprehensive depiction of the battle.

Civil War tragedy

Any additional comments?

I found the book to be compelling, I am quite familiar with the story but this version delves deeper into the flaws of the players and ends up being a study in hubris. other reviews have had a problem with the different accents but I like the way they helped differentiate each character and felt they improved rather than detracted from the experience. A welcome addition to any civil war obsessive's library.