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| Civil War Period (1850-1877) |
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HomeShop at BookSurgeHistoryUnited StatesCivil War Period (1850-1877) |
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 Oh, Why Did I Bother? Jul 02, 2008
Now that the author's friends and relatives have had their say, perhaps a more objective appraisal is in order.
The book is readable enough, yes. But a serious historical work it isn't. Has the author never encountered the idea of citing primary sources, or for that matter citing anything? A university professor would not accept this sort of "scholarship" from a freshman. There's nothing whatever new here, and what might have been a useful addition to the subjects of the Gettysburg Campaign and the Federal cavalry simply isn't.
On top of which, the maps are really, really dreadful -- confused and hard on the eye -- and the quality of illustrations not much better.
On the whole, this is a rather amateur work.
 Oh! Hast Thou Forgotten Jun 14, 2008
This is a very personal look back at the author's great great grandfather, George Patten, who at age 28 in the summer of 1862 joins a calvary unit from his home state of Michigan to do his part in the American Civil War. He leaves behind his parents, a beloved wife and a young child to fight for a cause in which he deeply believes.
Through the eyes of Quartermaster Sergeant Patten we follow his journey from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his company is trained to the long train journey to Washington City where he sees action in the battle of Gettysburg and a few days later in the battle of Falling Waters in West Virginia. His company, decimated by the Gettysburg battle, is ordered to charge a rebel position defended by hundreds of soldiers. Great great grandfather Patten writes a touching letter home before the battle and as he feared he is killed in a hopeless charge.
Author Richard Hamilton uses letters from Patten along with dozens of primary sources to flesh out the story of this union farmer in his last year of life. Through Patten we see the horror of our nation's most awful war and the effect it had on one man's family. The troop maneuvering of generals, the political machinations of politicians are all there but it is the foot soldiers, George Patten and his comrades in arms, who do the dying and suffering. Hamilton never loses track of this and "Oh! Hast Thou Forgotten" is never far from this truth of war.
 "Oh Hast Thou Forgotten" Jun 02, 2008
I hit the Trifecta. I have a history minor, I'm from Michigan and Richard Hamilton is a friend of mine. I am aware of the great amount of loving research that went into this book and it shows in the stunning details provided by Richard as he traces the steps taken by his great great grandfather, George Thomas Patten, as he joins the 6th Michigan Cavalry and ends up in the Gettysburg campaign. He eventually loses his life at the age of 28 in the battle of Falling Waters. I believe this book will be interesting reading on many levels whether you are a history buff or not.
Frank Valenti
Oh Thou Hast Forgotten May 30, 2008
A GREAT read!
VERY insightful!!!
And for once...a WONDERFUL account not only of the cavalry battle here in Hunterstown, July 2nd, 1863....but the entire Gettysburg Campaign.
I felt like I was "riding with the cavalry"!!!
I could "see and hear...and smell" the day!
A WONDERFUL account...that is MUCH needed....in the annals of history!
First rate!
Well done!
You are to be commended for this written documentation...
as are all the Wolverines that fought here!
[...]
"Oh, Hast Thou Forgotten" May 29, 2008
Richard L. Hamilton has written a description of the Battle of Gettysburg that is easy to follow and therefore easy to become involved with on a personal level. Telling the story from the point-of-view of a cavalry sargent gives the reader a new perspective of the rigors that these heros of our history had to contend with. If you want to learn about "Gettysburg", Mr. Hamilton has certainly given us an interesting story to lead us through the battle.
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