The Maps of Second Bull Run: An Atlas of the Second Bull Run (Manassas) Campaign from the Formation of the Army of Virginia Through Chantilly, June ... 1, 1862 (Savas Beatie Military Atlas Series)

Anyone familiar with “The Maps of….” Series offered by Savas-Beatie will not be surprised at the addition of another fine work by author Dr. Brad Gottfried. True to form, the current work focusing on the Second Bull Run (Manassas) Campaign covering the timeframe of June 26 to September 1, 1862, gives us great visual insight into the actions of the Campaign, including the Battle of Cedar Mountain, the Battle of 2nd Bull Run and the Battle of Chantilly.Consistent with all of his works in this series, Gottfried provides not only very nice, color coded maps but adds textual context in a concise manner. This allows the reader to understand the battle basics and some of the nuances of these battles in both a text and visual format.A great addition to a great series and we look forward to more!

Dr Gottfried takes a very complex battle and makes it so much easier to understand - especially if you aren’t a battle weenie, which I’m not. But his method of slicing each action of the battle and making a map of it, actually, much to my surprise, made me want to read more and more about this engagement! Dr Gottfried’s method of making the maps, teasing complex engagements and battles apart into easily digestible parts and explaining them, makes them actually very interesting! Throwing in all the anecdotes is a huge plus for me, like Jackson’s sword being rusted to the scabbard. I had heard of that but didn’t know where it happened. But he also shows where Jackson came close to some spectacular and out-of-character failures too in this battle! I kept turning the pages and really couldn’t put it down.

The immensely talented Dr. Gottfried goes back in time to provide a meticulous account of the battle of Second Bull Run. His earlier atlases address larger and later battles. This account of Second Bull Run fits in seamlessly with those.His latest work follows the formula used in other volumes. The detailed narrative on the left-hand pages and the color maps on the right increase even a novice's ability to understand the action. It could not be better organized.Anecdotal gems are planted in the narrative, such as "Stonewall" Jackson's sword getting stuck in his scabbard and also his fist fight with A.P. Hill. It is my disappointment that I don't know who won that fight but it would seem there was enough fighting in the larger conflict.The end notes lead you to other sources, and as I have discovered, are indispensable for my own manuscript.

Dr. Gottfried is a master of taking complex campaigns and making the approachable. Second Bull Run is no exception. Even the prelude to the battle at Cedar Mountain is much easier to understand thanks to Gottfried’s perfect research, storytelling, and of course legible maps. As he continues more works in the eastern theater, this book fills gaps that will be a must for all Civil War enthusiasts.

This is an outstanding "play by play" approach to the Second Battle of Bull Run or Manassas, by Brad Gottfried, who has created 122 maps -- that lay out the key blocks of time to show how the movements to the battle area, and how the engagements occurred. All other books on this battle I have read, do not provide this play-by-play detail that improves understanding. This method is great for reading at home or using it as a guide to make stops at the places where the movements and the fighting occurred. Most of the maps drill down to the regimental level, which is a bonus. A huge amount of work went into this! Well worth owning as simply an enjoyable read, a research resource and aid, or an on the ground guide!

The Maps of Second Bull Run is another shining example of the thoroughness and attention to detail Mr. Gottfried employs in producing his "Maps of ...." series of books.It is impressive how he manages to assemble many sources to provide a clear understanding of the many movements of the campaign beginning with Map Set 1 (To Cedar Mountain) and ending Map Set 24 (Chantilly). Not only does Author Gottfried provide an excellent presentation of maps, he also accompanies each map with a concise description of the movements portrayed.Another factor which makes Gottfried's books so helpful is how he breaks the phases of the battle into segments. This process is extremely helpful for the reader as they peruse the Maps of Second Bull Run.

Dr. Gottfried's "Maps of" series from Savas Beatie are always great resources and his latest volume in the series, on the 2nd Manassas Campaign, does not disappoint. Readers get an overview of the campaign as the armies move into position for Cedar Mtn, 2nd Manassas, and Ox Hill/Chantilly, and also many in-depth looks at each engagement with full-color maps, many down to regimental level. Each map has detailed explanations of what is depicted, and the base maps themselves are drawn to include what was in cultivation in each field. You simply cannot go wrong with this volume, or any in the series for that matter.

As a history teacher for a homeschool coop, I design and lead students, and their families, on field trips to eight separate battlefields over the year. This book, as well as other “Maps of” books, are fantastic tools for preparing for and leading these field trips. They are also great for the students in class. They allow us to picture in far greater detail how these horrific battles unfolded in a way that would otherwise be impossible. When visiting most Eastern, Civil War battlefield, by all means, take Bradley’s books along. Having one of his books is as good as hiring a professional guide. They are all excellent.