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On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
From the New York Times bestselling author of A. Lincoln and American Ulysses comes the dramatic and definitive biography of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the history-altering professor turned Civil War hero.
Before 1862, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain had rarely left his home state of Maine, where he was a trained minister and mild-mannered professor at Bowdoin College. His colleagues were shocked when he volunteered for the Union army, but he was undeterred and later became known as one of the North’s greatest heroes: On the second day at Gettysburg, after running out of ammunition at Little Round Top, he ordered his men to wield their bayonets in a desperate charge down a rocky slope that routed the Confederate attackers. Despite being wounded at Petersburg—and told by two surgeons he would die—Chamberlain survived the war, going on to be elected governor of Maine four times and serve as president of Bowdoin College.
How did a stuttering young boy come to be fluent in nine languages and even teach speech and rhetoric? How did a trained minister find his way to the battlefield? Award-winning historian Ronald C. White delves into these contradictions in this definitive, cradle-to-death biography of General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, from his upbringing in rural Maine to his tenacious, empathetic military leadership and his influential post-war public service, exploring a question that still plagues so many veterans: How do you make a civilian life of meaning after having experienced the extreme highs and lows of war?
Chamberlain is familiar to millions from Michael Shaara’s now-classic novel of the Civil War, The Killer Angels, and Ken Burns’s classic miniseries The Civil War, but in On Great Fields, White captures the complex and inspiring man behind the hero. Heavily illustrated and featuring nine detailed maps, this gripping, impeccably researched portrait illuminates one of the most admired but least known figures in our nation’s bloodiest conflict.
Before 1862, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain had rarely left his home state of Maine, where he was a trained minister and mild-mannered professor at Bowdoin College. His colleagues were shocked when he volunteered for the Union army, but he was undeterred and later became known as one of the North’s greatest heroes: On the second day at Gettysburg, after running out of ammunition at Little Round Top, he ordered his men to wield their bayonets in a desperate charge down a rocky slope that routed the Confederate attackers. Despite being wounded at Petersburg—and told by two surgeons he would die—Chamberlain survived the war, going on to be elected governor of Maine four times and serve as president of Bowdoin College.
How did a stuttering young boy come to be fluent in nine languages and even teach speech and rhetoric? How did a trained minister find his way to the battlefield? Award-winning historian Ronald C. White delves into these contradictions in this definitive, cradle-to-death biography of General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, from his upbringing in rural Maine to his tenacious, empathetic military leadership and his influential post-war public service, exploring a question that still plagues so many veterans: How do you make a civilian life of meaning after having experienced the extreme highs and lows of war?
Chamberlain is familiar to millions from Michael Shaara’s now-classic novel of the Civil War, The Killer Angels, and Ken Burns’s classic miniseries The Civil War, but in On Great Fields, White captures the complex and inspiring man behind the hero. Heavily illustrated and featuring nine detailed maps, this gripping, impeccably researched portrait illuminates one of the most admired but least known figures in our nation’s bloodiest conflict.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2023
219 people are currently reading
4,214 people want to read
About the author
Ronald C. White Jr.
20Ìýbooks188ÌýfollowersRonald C. White is the author of American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant (2016). General David H. Petraeus (Ret.) wrote, “Certain to be recognized as the classic work on Ulysses S. Grant.â€�
White is also the author of three books on Abraham Lincoln. A. Lincoln: A Biography [2009], was a New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times bestseller. USA Today said, “If you read one book about Lincoln, make it A. LINCOLN.� The book was honored as one of the best books of 2009 by the Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, History Book Club, and Barnes & Noble. It won a 2010 Christopher Award which salutes books “that affirm the highest values of the human spirit.�
Lincoln’s Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural, was honored as a New York Times Notable Book of 2002, and a Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle bestseller. The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words [2005], was a Los Angeles Times bestseller, and a selection of the History Book Club. White’s op-eds have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Christian Science Monitor. He has lectured at the White House and been interviewed on the PBS News Hour.
He attended Northwestern University and is a graduate of UCLA and Princeton Theological Seminary, earning a Ph.D. in Religion and History from Princeton University. He has taught at UCLA, Princeton Theological Seminary, Whitworth University, Colorado College, Rider University, and San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is a Fellow at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, and a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum in Washington, D.C. He lives with his wife, Cynthia, in La Cañada, California.
White is also the author of three books on Abraham Lincoln. A. Lincoln: A Biography [2009], was a New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times bestseller. USA Today said, “If you read one book about Lincoln, make it A. LINCOLN.� The book was honored as one of the best books of 2009 by the Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, History Book Club, and Barnes & Noble. It won a 2010 Christopher Award which salutes books “that affirm the highest values of the human spirit.�
Lincoln’s Greatest Speech: The Second Inaugural, was honored as a New York Times Notable Book of 2002, and a Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle bestseller. The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words [2005], was a Los Angeles Times bestseller, and a selection of the History Book Club. White’s op-eds have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Christian Science Monitor. He has lectured at the White House and been interviewed on the PBS News Hour.
He attended Northwestern University and is a graduate of UCLA and Princeton Theological Seminary, earning a Ph.D. in Religion and History from Princeton University. He has taught at UCLA, Princeton Theological Seminary, Whitworth University, Colorado College, Rider University, and San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is a Fellow at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, and a Senior Fellow of the Trinity Forum in Washington, D.C. He lives with his wife, Cynthia, in La Cañada, California.
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December 13, 2024
“‘Ammunition! The cry went out as the regiment’s ammunition began to run low. Each of Chamberlain’s men had started off with sixty rounds of ammunition, but by the end of an hour, they were running out. Men furiously restocked bullets from the boxes of fallen friends, or even enemies. But those sources could not supply their need for long. In this moment of extreme peril, Chamberlain made the critical decision to go from defense to offense. Having brought his regiment together into mostly one line, he shouted: ‘Bayonet…� This moment was dire. Chamberlain’s one word…was sufficient. With this simple command, his line moved forward, pushing the Fifteenth and Forty-seventh Alabama back and down the hill…�
- Ronald C. White, On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
One of my least favorite phrases is this: “History is written by the victors.� It’s a lazy way of asserting disagreement with historiography, without actually sorting through the evidence. It is also full of unexamined implications, such as the suggestion that the winners must be lying. More importantly, it’s indisputably untrue. History is � and has always been � written by the writers. For instance, Americans have written thousands of books about Vietnam, a lengthy war from which it decidedly failed to emerge victorious.
Perhaps the best example of the emptiness of this phrase is the American Civil War. Convincingly won by the Union, the storytelling has decisively belonged to the Confederacy. In the roughly 160 years since the war ended, southern � and southern-leaning � scribes have reshaped a conflict caused by slavery into a plucky, tragically doomed last stand for “states� rights.� In doing so, the losers have raised their own heroes to the status of demigods, to the extent that even an abject, central-government-loving failure like Jefferson Davis can end up carved into a mountain.
A byproduct of the “Lost Cause� and its historical distortions has been the degradation � and sometimes outright slander � of the men who fought in the armies of liberation. Ulysses S. Grant, who conceived and executed the war-winning grand strategy has, until recently, been recalled as a drunk and a “butcher.� Generals William Sherman and Philip Sheridan have been reduced to war criminals. Most Union heroes are simply unknown, with insanely daring, brave, and self-sacrificing soldiers like Alonzo and William Cushing relegated to obscurity and paltry memorial stones.
One of the few Yankees who have garnered name recognition is Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, whose 20th Massachusetts Regiment played a crucial role in the defense of Little Round Top during the 1863 battle of Gettysburg. Chamberlain received acclaim in life and � in death � has been celebrated in the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Killer Angels, and the well-received film version Gettysburg.
Given his wartime exploits, and the fullness of his life, Chamberlain is certainly deserving of a full-scale biography. Thus, my excitement for Ronald C. White’s On Great Fields was exceedingly high. It’s a book I first heard about on CSPAN years ago, while at a hotel during a visit to Shiloh, and have been anticipating ever since.
Alas, expectations and reality seldom align.
On Great Fields is White’s baby, so I hesitate to criticize. Nevertheless, as I have been known to say to my own children: I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.
***
Bestowing the biographical treatment on a person whose most noteworthy exploits lasted only a few crowded hours is a tricky thing. Fortunately, Chamberlain’s life is more than eventful enough to carry an entire volume devoted entirely to him.
Born, raised, and educated in Maine, Chamberlain left academia during the Civil War, eventually rising to command the 20th Maine. On July 2, 1863, he found himself on the extreme left of the Union line on Little Round Top, with the responsibility of not getting outflanked. His actions that day later earned him the Medial of Honor. Chamberlain subsequently received devastating wounds at Petersburg, from which he almost died; served four one-year terms as Maine’s governor; became the president of Bowdoin College; and used his talents as rhetorician to help interpret the war that had stamped him so deeply.
The problem with On Great Fields is not a dearth of material, but the superficiality with which the material is dealt.
***
Judging a book by its page-length is a habit of which I am not entirely proud. Still, the rough rule of thumb I’ve developed has proven broadly accurate. While any single volume bio of a deserving life will inherently be too short, anything over five-hundred pages is at least taking its obligations honestly. Between four-hundred and below five-hundred pages is suspect. Anything below four-hundred is fundamentally unserious. On Great Fields is three-hundred-and-eighty-two pages, not counting the endnotes.
Obviously, I’d be a damn fool to rate a title simply on its size. At the end of the day, it’s not the number of pages that count, but what’s on them. However, a short book on a big life necessarily means that depth is being sacrificed for brevity, and detail for concision. This can theoretically work if the author has some amazingly perceptive things to say about the subject. White does not.
Let me be clear: I think Ronald White is an excellent biographer. His weighty tome on our sixteenth president � A. Lincoln � is amazing. Here, though, White does not adjust his literary approach to suit a slimmed-down volume. Instead, his style is of the ordinary cradle-to-grave variety, a methodical, chronological journey through the landmarks of Chamberlain’s life. He touches on everything. But due to the aforementioned shortness, White never attains bores down enough to capture Chamberlain’s essence.
***
As I said up top, I’m not mad at On Great Fields, and I certainly didn’t hate it. For those reasons, I’m going to stop belaboring my criticism, and just give one example: White’s handling of Gettysburg. Done right, a crackerjack narration of Little Round Top could’ve covered for a lot of sins.
The Gettysburg section is not done right.
It’s hard to make one of the most famous battles in American history inert, but that is the case here. More than that, White rushes through it, like he rushes through everything else. I am more than willing to forgive historians when they don’t have enough material. With Gettysburg, though, there is more than enough, meaning that White’s spare, non-specific summary of Chamberlain’s actions is head-scratching. The nadir comes when White announces that Chamberlain’s Gettysburg heroics are controversial, and have been hotly challenged. Instead of describing those assertions, dealing with them, and coming to some sort of conclusion, he punts, writing that “even the simplest version of the story is undeniably powerful.�
I’m sorry, but I didn’t pay the $35.00 hardcover price for “the simplest version.� If I wanted that, I would have spent $0 reading a half-assed internet summary.
No, for that price, I expect the fullest version. I expect the most accurate version or � at the least –a full weighing of all extant accounts. He might even have compared the historical record to the fictionalized exploits. White does none of these things, leaving me to believe that he � in his mid-eighties � simply ran out of steam during the process.
***
Curiously, for all that is missing from On Great Fields, White feels compelled to name everyone’s horse. For whatever reason, this irritated me to no end.
***
Lest this review feel too curdled, I should add that there are glimmers of what On Great Fields might have been. I especially appreciated White’s handling of a strange, twelve-day interlude in which armed men occupied the Maine State House during a disputed gubernatorial election, and Chamberlain came out of retirement to quell it. There are also some tantalizing hints � though never vigorously pursued � about a deeply troubled and troubling marriage.
***
Ultimately, a biography is an implicit argument on behalf of the subject’s worthiness to be written about. On Great Fields does not make a convincing one. To the contrary, it falters at the most important points, ceding the work for others. Thankfully, for the sake of history, this book is not necessary to ensure the memory of man who somehow transformed himself from a theology student and professor into a formidable soldier. Still, Chamberlain deserves a lot better.
- Ronald C. White, On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
One of my least favorite phrases is this: “History is written by the victors.� It’s a lazy way of asserting disagreement with historiography, without actually sorting through the evidence. It is also full of unexamined implications, such as the suggestion that the winners must be lying. More importantly, it’s indisputably untrue. History is � and has always been � written by the writers. For instance, Americans have written thousands of books about Vietnam, a lengthy war from which it decidedly failed to emerge victorious.
Perhaps the best example of the emptiness of this phrase is the American Civil War. Convincingly won by the Union, the storytelling has decisively belonged to the Confederacy. In the roughly 160 years since the war ended, southern � and southern-leaning � scribes have reshaped a conflict caused by slavery into a plucky, tragically doomed last stand for “states� rights.� In doing so, the losers have raised their own heroes to the status of demigods, to the extent that even an abject, central-government-loving failure like Jefferson Davis can end up carved into a mountain.
A byproduct of the “Lost Cause� and its historical distortions has been the degradation � and sometimes outright slander � of the men who fought in the armies of liberation. Ulysses S. Grant, who conceived and executed the war-winning grand strategy has, until recently, been recalled as a drunk and a “butcher.� Generals William Sherman and Philip Sheridan have been reduced to war criminals. Most Union heroes are simply unknown, with insanely daring, brave, and self-sacrificing soldiers like Alonzo and William Cushing relegated to obscurity and paltry memorial stones.
One of the few Yankees who have garnered name recognition is Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, whose 20th Massachusetts Regiment played a crucial role in the defense of Little Round Top during the 1863 battle of Gettysburg. Chamberlain received acclaim in life and � in death � has been celebrated in the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Killer Angels, and the well-received film version Gettysburg.
Given his wartime exploits, and the fullness of his life, Chamberlain is certainly deserving of a full-scale biography. Thus, my excitement for Ronald C. White’s On Great Fields was exceedingly high. It’s a book I first heard about on CSPAN years ago, while at a hotel during a visit to Shiloh, and have been anticipating ever since.
Alas, expectations and reality seldom align.
On Great Fields is White’s baby, so I hesitate to criticize. Nevertheless, as I have been known to say to my own children: I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.
***
Bestowing the biographical treatment on a person whose most noteworthy exploits lasted only a few crowded hours is a tricky thing. Fortunately, Chamberlain’s life is more than eventful enough to carry an entire volume devoted entirely to him.
Born, raised, and educated in Maine, Chamberlain left academia during the Civil War, eventually rising to command the 20th Maine. On July 2, 1863, he found himself on the extreme left of the Union line on Little Round Top, with the responsibility of not getting outflanked. His actions that day later earned him the Medial of Honor. Chamberlain subsequently received devastating wounds at Petersburg, from which he almost died; served four one-year terms as Maine’s governor; became the president of Bowdoin College; and used his talents as rhetorician to help interpret the war that had stamped him so deeply.
The problem with On Great Fields is not a dearth of material, but the superficiality with which the material is dealt.
***
Judging a book by its page-length is a habit of which I am not entirely proud. Still, the rough rule of thumb I’ve developed has proven broadly accurate. While any single volume bio of a deserving life will inherently be too short, anything over five-hundred pages is at least taking its obligations honestly. Between four-hundred and below five-hundred pages is suspect. Anything below four-hundred is fundamentally unserious. On Great Fields is three-hundred-and-eighty-two pages, not counting the endnotes.
Obviously, I’d be a damn fool to rate a title simply on its size. At the end of the day, it’s not the number of pages that count, but what’s on them. However, a short book on a big life necessarily means that depth is being sacrificed for brevity, and detail for concision. This can theoretically work if the author has some amazingly perceptive things to say about the subject. White does not.
Let me be clear: I think Ronald White is an excellent biographer. His weighty tome on our sixteenth president � A. Lincoln � is amazing. Here, though, White does not adjust his literary approach to suit a slimmed-down volume. Instead, his style is of the ordinary cradle-to-grave variety, a methodical, chronological journey through the landmarks of Chamberlain’s life. He touches on everything. But due to the aforementioned shortness, White never attains bores down enough to capture Chamberlain’s essence.
***
As I said up top, I’m not mad at On Great Fields, and I certainly didn’t hate it. For those reasons, I’m going to stop belaboring my criticism, and just give one example: White’s handling of Gettysburg. Done right, a crackerjack narration of Little Round Top could’ve covered for a lot of sins.
The Gettysburg section is not done right.
It’s hard to make one of the most famous battles in American history inert, but that is the case here. More than that, White rushes through it, like he rushes through everything else. I am more than willing to forgive historians when they don’t have enough material. With Gettysburg, though, there is more than enough, meaning that White’s spare, non-specific summary of Chamberlain’s actions is head-scratching. The nadir comes when White announces that Chamberlain’s Gettysburg heroics are controversial, and have been hotly challenged. Instead of describing those assertions, dealing with them, and coming to some sort of conclusion, he punts, writing that “even the simplest version of the story is undeniably powerful.�
I’m sorry, but I didn’t pay the $35.00 hardcover price for “the simplest version.� If I wanted that, I would have spent $0 reading a half-assed internet summary.
No, for that price, I expect the fullest version. I expect the most accurate version or � at the least –a full weighing of all extant accounts. He might even have compared the historical record to the fictionalized exploits. White does none of these things, leaving me to believe that he � in his mid-eighties � simply ran out of steam during the process.
***
Curiously, for all that is missing from On Great Fields, White feels compelled to name everyone’s horse. For whatever reason, this irritated me to no end.
***
Lest this review feel too curdled, I should add that there are glimmers of what On Great Fields might have been. I especially appreciated White’s handling of a strange, twelve-day interlude in which armed men occupied the Maine State House during a disputed gubernatorial election, and Chamberlain came out of retirement to quell it. There are also some tantalizing hints � though never vigorously pursued � about a deeply troubled and troubling marriage.
***
Ultimately, a biography is an implicit argument on behalf of the subject’s worthiness to be written about. On Great Fields does not make a convincing one. To the contrary, it falters at the most important points, ceding the work for others. Thankfully, for the sake of history, this book is not necessary to ensure the memory of man who somehow transformed himself from a theology student and professor into a formidable soldier. Still, Chamberlain deserves a lot better.
November 15, 2023
The American Civil War was once a reading obsession of mine. But, as happens, I moved on to other obsessions. Then I saw this just-published biography of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and knew it was time to dip back in.
Many times I've read about Chamberlain acting with courageous leadership on Little Round Top at Gettysburg, minutes which arguably saved that battle for the Union and perhaps the War itself. But this promised to be a full biography of Chamberlain's life, and it certainly was that.
From early on, Chamberlain's life was marked by scholarship, a sense of duty, and faith. I learned that Chamberlain became fluent in nine languages and was able late in life to read the Koran in Arabic. He wrote well, and overcame a stuttering issue to become a much sought after speaker.
A telling anecdote: While a college student, Chamberlain and others stole a tree from another institution and replanted it on their campus. The act was accompanied by much drunkenness. Chamberlain was a full participant in the theft but not the drinking. The college president, knowing Chamberlain was incapable of lying, brought him in and insisted he name his confederates. Chamberlain refused. He was threatened with expulsion but would not give up the others. The "others" then came and confessed, honoring Chamberlain's stance. The matter then blew over.
He was a teacher, a college president, a governor of his home state. He was not much of a businessman, though he tried. He suffered a through and through wound at Petersburg, which was immediately believed to be fatal. He survived but lived in constant pain; his wife suffered a loss of consortium.
There are numerous instances of Chamberlain quelling disturbances with his calm and steadfastness.
I stumbled over a few things in the writing in this book. If, for example, no contemporaneous account of an event was available, the author would ask the reader if we wouldn't have liked to have been a fly on the wall. And the author would have this to say about Chamberlain trying to rally his troops: the short speech lifted the spirits and strengthened the resolve of Chamberlain's brigade. Maybe this kind of thing wouldn't bother you. I only saw one typo, but it referred to McClellan as McClennan. Again, maybe this kind of thing wouldn't bother you.
Anyhow, regardless of my review, you will know if you need to read this biography or if you don't.
Many times I've read about Chamberlain acting with courageous leadership on Little Round Top at Gettysburg, minutes which arguably saved that battle for the Union and perhaps the War itself. But this promised to be a full biography of Chamberlain's life, and it certainly was that.
From early on, Chamberlain's life was marked by scholarship, a sense of duty, and faith. I learned that Chamberlain became fluent in nine languages and was able late in life to read the Koran in Arabic. He wrote well, and overcame a stuttering issue to become a much sought after speaker.
A telling anecdote: While a college student, Chamberlain and others stole a tree from another institution and replanted it on their campus. The act was accompanied by much drunkenness. Chamberlain was a full participant in the theft but not the drinking. The college president, knowing Chamberlain was incapable of lying, brought him in and insisted he name his confederates. Chamberlain refused. He was threatened with expulsion but would not give up the others. The "others" then came and confessed, honoring Chamberlain's stance. The matter then blew over.
He was a teacher, a college president, a governor of his home state. He was not much of a businessman, though he tried. He suffered a through and through wound at Petersburg, which was immediately believed to be fatal. He survived but lived in constant pain; his wife suffered a loss of consortium.
There are numerous instances of Chamberlain quelling disturbances with his calm and steadfastness.
I stumbled over a few things in the writing in this book. If, for example, no contemporaneous account of an event was available, the author would ask the reader if we wouldn't have liked to have been a fly on the wall. And the author would have this to say about Chamberlain trying to rally his troops: the short speech lifted the spirits and strengthened the resolve of Chamberlain's brigade. Maybe this kind of thing wouldn't bother you. I only saw one typo, but it referred to McClellan as McClennan. Again, maybe this kind of thing wouldn't bother you.
Anyhow, regardless of my review, you will know if you need to read this biography or if you don't.
June 5, 2024
Joshua Chamberlain is primarily known as the Hero of Little Roundtop at the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863. Those readers that are Civil War buffs looking for an explosive reliving of Chamberlain’s exploits during that battle and his involvement in subsequent battles will probably be disappointed in this book. Chamberlain certainly had a colorful military career but he was a great deal more than a war hero. This book thoroughly covers the entirety of Chamberlain’s many life endeavors but uses them for a more noble purpose.
The first quarter of the book may drag a bit as it traces Chamberlain’s early life and that of his family and siblings. It then takes us into his student days at Bowdoin College. Now here is where the reader, and this reader in particular, would have appreciated some editing. I did not see the value in a biography of this man to include a history of the college he attended along with a listing of his teachers and a thumbnail sketch of each of their backgrounds. Now there were some interesting bits of historical trivia to be learned in this telling like the names of historically significant Bowdoin alumni as well as the presence of Harriet Beecher Stowe while she was writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin but much could have been cut in this area to the readers� relief. Once Chamberlain graduates and begins his teaching career things become more interesting. However, it isn’t until the start of the war that the reader might begin to see what the author is doing in his rendition of this man’s life.
All of the events of Chamberlain’s life are sufficiently detailed but maybe not to the depth a reader might. expect. This biography is more than simply a detailed record of this man’s life. What we are given is a revelation of Chamberlain’s character, his motivations, and his beliefs. All the events depicted in this book are used to illustrate the nature of this man at various times in his life and the constancy of these human attributes throughout that life. At times he may come across as unrealistically saintly but there are behaviors that would argue against such a conclusion. The author ends the book with the questions he hoped to answer in the story’s telling and leaves it for the reader to decide if the questions are answered. Enjoy.
The first quarter of the book may drag a bit as it traces Chamberlain’s early life and that of his family and siblings. It then takes us into his student days at Bowdoin College. Now here is where the reader, and this reader in particular, would have appreciated some editing. I did not see the value in a biography of this man to include a history of the college he attended along with a listing of his teachers and a thumbnail sketch of each of their backgrounds. Now there were some interesting bits of historical trivia to be learned in this telling like the names of historically significant Bowdoin alumni as well as the presence of Harriet Beecher Stowe while she was writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin but much could have been cut in this area to the readers� relief. Once Chamberlain graduates and begins his teaching career things become more interesting. However, it isn’t until the start of the war that the reader might begin to see what the author is doing in his rendition of this man’s life.
All of the events of Chamberlain’s life are sufficiently detailed but maybe not to the depth a reader might. expect. This biography is more than simply a detailed record of this man’s life. What we are given is a revelation of Chamberlain’s character, his motivations, and his beliefs. All the events depicted in this book are used to illustrate the nature of this man at various times in his life and the constancy of these human attributes throughout that life. At times he may come across as unrealistically saintly but there are behaviors that would argue against such a conclusion. The author ends the book with the questions he hoped to answer in the story’s telling and leaves it for the reader to decide if the questions are answered. Enjoy.
November 24, 2023
A well-written, insightful, and compelling biography of a "recent" Civil War hero.
Prior to Ken Burns documentary, Michael Shaara's novel, and Jeff Daniels portrayal, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was nowhere near the popular Civil War figure he has become. So it's interesting when biographer White notes that Chamberlain now is the most frequently portrayed figure in Civil War art these days.
White's 2023 biography follows in the footsteps of his recent biography of U.S. Grant (American Ulysses) by giving us an exceptionally nuanced and unique view of its subject that moves away from well-trod ground. Here, we actually spend very little time on Chamberlain's Civil War service. While it's obviously pivotal, White finds more fertile ground in his early years, pre-war education, and post-war life.
This might even be considered a mini-history of congregationalist education in the middle 19th century as so much time is spent on Chamberlain's religious upbringing and education at Bowdoin College and Bangor Theological Seminary. The inclusion of Chaberlain's class schedule year by year is an enjoyably specific highlight.
White does a fine job addressing, and ultimately dispelling, charges that Chamberlain inflated his war record (in particular the claim he received the final surrender at Appomattox) but what stands out (yet not quite in a good way) is White's assessment of Chamberlain's relationship with his wife, Fanny.
Drawing mostly on letters early in the relationship/courtship, when amorous feelings are at their most unrealistic peak, we get very little insight into Chamberlain and Fanny's relationship as adults. Chamberlain's service as Soldier and later Governor meant long stretches away from his wife, and White references one troubling letter where Chamberlain accuses Fanny of telling anyone who will listen that he has been both physically and emotionally abusive for some time. But since no other contemporary letters exist (presumably destroyed -- we keep the love letters, not the hateful ones), White chalks their marriage up to being a product of 19th century marital dynamics. This is a rather unsatisfying conclusion and one gets the sense that White did not want to bring down his subject with a deeper investigation.
"On Great Fields" is an otherwise outstanding biography that shines a fresh light on a subject that already has a whole host of lights shining upon him.
Prior to Ken Burns documentary, Michael Shaara's novel, and Jeff Daniels portrayal, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was nowhere near the popular Civil War figure he has become. So it's interesting when biographer White notes that Chamberlain now is the most frequently portrayed figure in Civil War art these days.
White's 2023 biography follows in the footsteps of his recent biography of U.S. Grant (American Ulysses) by giving us an exceptionally nuanced and unique view of its subject that moves away from well-trod ground. Here, we actually spend very little time on Chamberlain's Civil War service. While it's obviously pivotal, White finds more fertile ground in his early years, pre-war education, and post-war life.
This might even be considered a mini-history of congregationalist education in the middle 19th century as so much time is spent on Chamberlain's religious upbringing and education at Bowdoin College and Bangor Theological Seminary. The inclusion of Chaberlain's class schedule year by year is an enjoyably specific highlight.
White does a fine job addressing, and ultimately dispelling, charges that Chamberlain inflated his war record (in particular the claim he received the final surrender at Appomattox) but what stands out (yet not quite in a good way) is White's assessment of Chamberlain's relationship with his wife, Fanny.
Drawing mostly on letters early in the relationship/courtship, when amorous feelings are at their most unrealistic peak, we get very little insight into Chamberlain and Fanny's relationship as adults. Chamberlain's service as Soldier and later Governor meant long stretches away from his wife, and White references one troubling letter where Chamberlain accuses Fanny of telling anyone who will listen that he has been both physically and emotionally abusive for some time. But since no other contemporary letters exist (presumably destroyed -- we keep the love letters, not the hateful ones), White chalks their marriage up to being a product of 19th century marital dynamics. This is a rather unsatisfying conclusion and one gets the sense that White did not want to bring down his subject with a deeper investigation.
"On Great Fields" is an otherwise outstanding biography that shines a fresh light on a subject that already has a whole host of lights shining upon him.
February 3, 2024
He was more than just an amazing mustache. Ronald White takes a look at the full life of Joshua Chamberlain in his book, On Great Fields. You may remember Chamberlain from various books or movies where his exploits at Gettysburg are highlighted. However, Chamberlain had a very full life both before and after the Civil War.
White looks to give a fuller picture of Chamberlain's life by giving attention to every episode. It is a stated goal of White to not skip over the earlier parts where Chamberlain grew up, chose a college, and tried to figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up. Little did he know how it would all turn out.
Chamberlain is one of the few people whose life is pretty interesting throughout. Admittedly, there are a few points which lag a bit more than others. Chamberlain's attempts at entrepreneurship, for instance, are important in telling his full story but add little to who he is as a person by that point. However, White wanted to give a full accounting and he does so without ever losing the reader's interest fully.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Random House Publishing.)
White looks to give a fuller picture of Chamberlain's life by giving attention to every episode. It is a stated goal of White to not skip over the earlier parts where Chamberlain grew up, chose a college, and tried to figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up. Little did he know how it would all turn out.
Chamberlain is one of the few people whose life is pretty interesting throughout. Admittedly, there are a few points which lag a bit more than others. Chamberlain's attempts at entrepreneurship, for instance, are important in telling his full story but add little to who he is as a person by that point. However, White wanted to give a full accounting and he does so without ever losing the reader's interest fully.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Random House Publishing.)
July 22, 2023
I first heard about Joshua Chamberlain after viewing the film Gettysburg. His character certainly stood out in the film. I wanted to learn more about this man and saw this book On Great Fields on NetGalley and requested it and was lucky enough to be granted my request.
Joshua Chamberlain was a brave and courageous man on and off the battlefield. He was a deeply religious man and lived his life according to the Bible. I believe this is how he survived Gettysburg and Petersburg where he was severely wounded and almost died. He lived with pain the rest of his life but never lost faith in God.
He was married to his wife Fanny for almost 50 years. and they had several children two of whom died very young. His two surviving children, Grace and Wyllis were his pride and joy.
Mr. White has written several biographies which I have read but this one is truly great. I highly recommend this book to those who love history, especially biographies.
Joshua Chamberlain was a brave and courageous man on and off the battlefield. He was a deeply religious man and lived his life according to the Bible. I believe this is how he survived Gettysburg and Petersburg where he was severely wounded and almost died. He lived with pain the rest of his life but never lost faith in God.
He was married to his wife Fanny for almost 50 years. and they had several children two of whom died very young. His two surviving children, Grace and Wyllis were his pride and joy.
Mr. White has written several biographies which I have read but this one is truly great. I highly recommend this book to those who love history, especially biographies.
February 28, 2024
Mr. White has written an outstanding book on the life and career of one of many heroes of The Civil War. Mr. Chamberlain, who went by his middle name, Lawrence, was no ordinary soldier. He was a graduate of Bowdoin College. He would later teach Rhetoric at Bowdoin before enlisting in the Army in 1862. He would rise through the ranks until he was promoted by General Grant to Brigadier General for his heroism at the Little Round Top just outside of Gettysburg.
After the War Chamberlain delved into politics. He was persuaded by the hierarchy of Maine's Republican Party to run for governor. He would eventually serve four terms as governor.
After his successful terms as Maine's governor, Chamberlain was requested by the Bowdoin Board of Trustees to accept the presidency of the college; he accepted.
This book is a must read for the students of The Civil War.
After the War Chamberlain delved into politics. He was persuaded by the hierarchy of Maine's Republican Party to run for governor. He would eventually serve four terms as governor.
After his successful terms as Maine's governor, Chamberlain was requested by the Bowdoin Board of Trustees to accept the presidency of the college; he accepted.
This book is a must read for the students of The Civil War.
November 22, 2024
7/10
I enjoyed learning about this extraordinary yet ordinary man. I empathize with many of his ideals and beliefs. Despite the centuries of time between us, I actually think we would get along quite well. He’s a wonderful example of how a singular moment in time can define a whole life. If it were not for the ferocious and romantic charge at Little Round Top, there would probably not be any memory left of the philosophy professor from Maine. As far as narrative goes, I wasn’t all that impressed with how this biography was constructed. Some details of his life seemed pretty glanced over, while the author chose to go very in depth with other parts that were barely significant. Regardless, the story of Chamberlain’s life speaks for itself, and if I could even emulate one of his many qualities, I would consider myself to be a very worthwhile man.
I enjoyed learning about this extraordinary yet ordinary man. I empathize with many of his ideals and beliefs. Despite the centuries of time between us, I actually think we would get along quite well. He’s a wonderful example of how a singular moment in time can define a whole life. If it were not for the ferocious and romantic charge at Little Round Top, there would probably not be any memory left of the philosophy professor from Maine. As far as narrative goes, I wasn’t all that impressed with how this biography was constructed. Some details of his life seemed pretty glanced over, while the author chose to go very in depth with other parts that were barely significant. Regardless, the story of Chamberlain’s life speaks for itself, and if I could even emulate one of his many qualities, I would consider myself to be a very worthwhile man.
September 18, 2024
Ronald White never disappoints as a historian and writer. This is a great biography on Joshua Chamberlain and goes far beyond his exploits as a Civil War Union hero. I particularly loved White's focus on the early parts of Chamberlain's life before the Civil War. I am a sucker for reading about college life and studies and a good deal of time is spent in those areas. The post war chapters were also very informative. It's possible White was maybe a bit too forgiving of Chamberlain at times, but I thought it was a fair review of his life overall.
July 28, 2024
One of the best biographies I have read. Chamberlain's accomplishments (academically, spiritually, militarily, and politically) are extraordinary. His integrity, perseverance, and indomitable spirit make him stand tall among the giants of history.
December 1, 2023
My family owned a two-tape VHS copy of Gettysburg, and we would watch it (alongside Star Wars, The Fugitive, and Men in Black) on our family’s frequent cross-country drives. It was hard not to love the character of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the kindhearted professor and Colonel of the 20th Maine, who was famously depicted with spittle flying yelling “bayonets� and charging with his men down Little Round Top during the Gettysburg fighting. As a 12-year old, I didn’t know much about the Civil War, but I knew Lee, Chamberlain, Pickett, and Longstreet thanks to that film.
I enjoyed this biography of Chamberlain. I appreciated his drive as a young man to learn foreign languages through diligent study in order to gain admission to college. I appreciated his hopefully optimism as a newly wed, newly appointed visiting professor at Bowdoin College that he would earn a spot with the faculty. I could relate to his frustration with his profession and his efforts to refine learning objectives and his students� focus. In this matter, he was ahead of his time. I could also appreciate his stubborn handling of a series of student protests at the college, aimed at his policy of requiring students to perform drill years after the war.
Chamberlain was a man of God, and he contemplated a life in the ministry or as a foreign missionary. He felt a strong sense of duty, a feeling that influenced his Civil War service and post-war ambition. He was measured, fair as a military leader, and disciplined.
After the war, his life turned to the tragic. His war wounds never healed. He was always in pain. His relationship with his wife and children fizzled. Although he enjoyed professional success as Governor of Maine and President of Bowdoin College, he was never wealthy. He seemed to always be chasing two goals that would always allude him: financial security and a return to war glory. Even as an older man, he repeatedly offered to leave everything behind in order to go off and fight in foreign wars. He certainly had his demons.
The book ends with the question: “What makes a hero?� And, of course, we are supposed to consider whether Chamberlain was a hero. I’m not ready to answer that. I can certainly relate to Chamberlain. And I think that is a sign of a good biographer and a good biography. But some of Chamberlain’s Hollywood shine wore off while reading this, but my esteem for him as a human increased.
I enjoyed this biography of Chamberlain. I appreciated his drive as a young man to learn foreign languages through diligent study in order to gain admission to college. I appreciated his hopefully optimism as a newly wed, newly appointed visiting professor at Bowdoin College that he would earn a spot with the faculty. I could relate to his frustration with his profession and his efforts to refine learning objectives and his students� focus. In this matter, he was ahead of his time. I could also appreciate his stubborn handling of a series of student protests at the college, aimed at his policy of requiring students to perform drill years after the war.
Chamberlain was a man of God, and he contemplated a life in the ministry or as a foreign missionary. He felt a strong sense of duty, a feeling that influenced his Civil War service and post-war ambition. He was measured, fair as a military leader, and disciplined.
After the war, his life turned to the tragic. His war wounds never healed. He was always in pain. His relationship with his wife and children fizzled. Although he enjoyed professional success as Governor of Maine and President of Bowdoin College, he was never wealthy. He seemed to always be chasing two goals that would always allude him: financial security and a return to war glory. Even as an older man, he repeatedly offered to leave everything behind in order to go off and fight in foreign wars. He certainly had his demons.
The book ends with the question: “What makes a hero?� And, of course, we are supposed to consider whether Chamberlain was a hero. I’m not ready to answer that. I can certainly relate to Chamberlain. And I think that is a sign of a good biographer and a good biography. But some of Chamberlain’s Hollywood shine wore off while reading this, but my esteem for him as a human increased.
April 27, 2024
I first learned about Joshua Chamberlain through the movie Gettysburg where he was played by the great Jeff Daniels. An interesting piece of trivia I learned recently that Russel Crowe was the first choice, but he was unknown at the time. I admired Chamberlain and believed that he saved the Union and the battle. As I learned more about Chamberlain, I found him to be overrated. I realized my views on Chamberlain had gone too far. It was either he was the greatest or he doesn't deserve anything. I came to the conclusion he can still get credit and be praised for the good he did in life. I pre-ordered this book when I saw it was coming out because I am currently preparing for the Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide exam. I am glad I read this book because there are things I admire about him. I have concluded he did not single handedly with the 20th Maine save the Union. However, Chamberlain did serve and fight. He was brave and did his part along with the 1st Minnesota, Patrick O'Rorke and the 140th NY, and many others that helped the Union emerge victorious at Gettysburg against Robert E. Lee and his army. In my opinion, the strongest parts of the book were after the war. It was new to me because I knew his Civil War career and I knew he was governor, but I did not know Chamberlain's time afterwards in depth. White clearly admires Chamberlain, but he is critical of him at times, especially regarding Reconstruction. It is not a heavy read, but you will still learn about Joshua Chamberlain.
December 3, 2023
Fresh from reinvestigations of Civil War heroes Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln, esteemed Ron White takes up the tale of the unlikely hero from Maine, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Having been a Chamberlain admirer since I first encountered him in the pages of Michael Shaara's famous novel, "Killer Angels", I was excited to see what White could make of him. The Chamberlain that emerges from these pages is undeniably a hero but also flawed. He is headstrong at times. He is also tragic in many ways from his problematic marriage (in which PTSD-related issues arose after the war) and his way he was too willing to embrace the South's return after the war. I also finally learned what it means that people described him dying "of his wounds" despite living 50+ years after he received them. He never truly recovered and suffered periodic bouts of infection including lifelong incontinence because of a nicked urethra. Yet he remained committed to his country and to doing his duty. He pushed to modernize the old curriculum at Bowdoin College despite resistance from an entrenched clergy and he continually consulted with others to ensure his retellings of the war were as accurate as they could be. His Christian faith also never wavered despite all he suffered, nor did he allow it to push him into a narrow corner, but instead embraced all faiths and all perspectives in his pursuit of a better education for the people of Maine. Civil War buffs will find this latest offering from White an excellent addition to the scholarship.
January 3, 2024
This close look at the personality and motivations of Joshua Chamberlain is far more interesting than many CivilWar biographies. Because his career was so varied, the author had lots of material for his story. As a professor, and later president at Bowdoin college, a governor of Maine, a failed entrepreneur in Florida, and a popular lecturer for decades, Chamberlain made his mark in many ways.
Of particular interest to me, was the story of his masterful statesmanship during an election crisis in Maine in 1879. When opposing forces occupied the Capitol building and violence was imminent, Chamberlain took charge, risked his life, and did not leave the Capitol for 10 days until the crisis was finally peacefully resolved.
Of particular interest to me, was the story of his masterful statesmanship during an election crisis in Maine in 1879. When opposing forces occupied the Capitol building and violence was imminent, Chamberlain took charge, risked his life, and did not leave the Capitol for 10 days until the crisis was finally peacefully resolved.
December 5, 2023
The most comprehensive biography of JLC to date. I like that the pictures were dispersed throughout the text instead of in one picture section. This made reading more interesting because you could look at a picture of a personage while reading about him or her without having to turn pages and find the corresponding picture. The audiobook was OK, and I wasn't a fan of the narrator, but the book itself is excellent: 5 stars. Audiobook: 3.5.
February 14, 2024
Before reading this book the only time I had heard Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain's name was in a song called "Dixieland" by Steve Earle.
"I am Kilrain of the 20th Maine
And we fight for Chamberlain
'Cause he stood right with us
When the Johnnies came like a banshee on the wind When the smoke cleared out of Gettysburg"
I knew nothing of him but when I saw the book that song came to my mind and gave it a certain mystique making me want to read it.
At the beginning of the book the author says he wanted to concentrate on Joshua's early years but that part had a small amount of details. He had to pad it with who his grandfather was and so forth. Chamberlain was an average guy who was an educator and joined the Union army. He was in a fews skirmishes but his first real battle was at Gettysburg. He was responsible for guarding the hill little round top. He also was sent to attack big round top.
He was wounded in the pelvis and had many leaks in his urethra. Despite many surgeries. He had to suffer with that his entire life.
Besides Gettysburg he is famous for being the guy who was at Appotmatox when Lee surrendered. It was a good book although a bit plainly written. The author narrated the audiobook and he does a good job.
"I am Kilrain of the 20th Maine
And we fight for Chamberlain
'Cause he stood right with us
When the Johnnies came like a banshee on the wind When the smoke cleared out of Gettysburg"
I knew nothing of him but when I saw the book that song came to my mind and gave it a certain mystique making me want to read it.
At the beginning of the book the author says he wanted to concentrate on Joshua's early years but that part had a small amount of details. He had to pad it with who his grandfather was and so forth. Chamberlain was an average guy who was an educator and joined the Union army. He was in a fews skirmishes but his first real battle was at Gettysburg. He was responsible for guarding the hill little round top. He also was sent to attack big round top.
He was wounded in the pelvis and had many leaks in his urethra. Despite many surgeries. He had to suffer with that his entire life.
Besides Gettysburg he is famous for being the guy who was at Appotmatox when Lee surrendered. It was a good book although a bit plainly written. The author narrated the audiobook and he does a good job.
April 23, 2024
What qualities make a hero? This is the central question posed by the author in this well balanced biography of the hero of Little Round Top. If you're an avid reader like me, you've already covered all the bases: Pullen, Trulock, Longacre, and of course Shaara. This book was a breath of fresh air in Chamberlain's historiography. The one thing that blew me away though: the previously unseen photos relating to Chamberlain, from birth to burial. If you are set on reading one military biography this year, do yourself a favor and choose this one!!
April 4, 2024
A very good biography of a man who was a Civil War hero, four time governor of Maine, president of Bowdoin College, and so much more.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in 19th Century American history or who enjoys absorbing biographies of the people who distinguish themselves from the crowd in ways few others can.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in 19th Century American history or who enjoys absorbing biographies of the people who distinguish themselves from the crowd in ways few others can.
April 20, 2024
Chamberlain is one of the finest American soldiers I have encountered from the Civil War. This was a fascinating book about a devote Christian man who was an excellent leader and statesman. Humble, driven and should be recognized more.
July 5, 2023
I received a free copy as part of the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaway program.
Ronald White introduces his fascinating and fast-paced biography of Joshua Chamberlain by explaining that Chamberlain became well-known to a modern audience as a result of his featured role in Michael Shaara's Gettysburg novel, Killer Angels, the Ken Burns PBS documentary, The Civil War, and the 1993 movie Gettysburg . Chamberlain's order for his outnumbered men to charge the attacking Confederate forces at Little Round Top after they ran out of ammunition at the start of the battle of Gettysburg is now familiar to even casual Civil War buffs. The heroism of Chamberlain and his men was significant not only because of the valor displayed but also because the loss of Little Round Top to the Confederates would have exposed the Union Army's left flank and arguably could have changed the outcome of the battle. In closing his book, White asks what makes a hero and his book examines Chamberlains background, education, family life, and, to a lesser extent, the political, social and cultural forces in the period leading up to the Civil War in an effort to help the reader reach conclusions.
Chamberlain's life was not just Little Round Top or even the Civil War. He was a highly intelligent youth brought up in a devout Congregationalist family and community. He graduated Bowdoin college, became fluent in at least nine languages, graduated from a three-year course of study at a theological seminary and seriously considered becoming a minister, and became a professor at Bowdoin. After the Battle of Gettysburg, he participated in the major battles in the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg, at which he was so seriously wounded that he death was imminent. Incredibly, Chamberlain recovered sufficiently to return to fight in the closing of the war at Appomattox. In recognition of his service, Chamberlain was given command of the ceremony at which Lee's Army formally surrendered.
After the war, Chamberlain became president of Bowdoin, served four one-year terms as governor of Maine, and quelled a potential armed battle between Democrats and Republicans in a contested gubernatorial election in Maine without resorting to the use of force or threats. White recounts these episodes well.
Attention is given to Chamberlain's personal life primarily through the deft use of letters written to his wife, Fanny, and his daughter Grace. Chamberlain was strong-willed and could be difficult and his marriage was often troubled.
White quotes a contemporary of Chamberlain's who in 1879 described Chamberlain by stating that "to some men small positions are great opportunities." This seems very accurate.
It should be noted that there have been a number of biographies of Chamberlain which have considered more than the Battle of Gettysburg or his Civil War career. Of note is Mark Perry's 1997 "Conceived in Liberty" which presented a dual biography of Chamberlain and William Oates, the Confederate office who directly opposed Chamberlain at Little Round Top. However, after more than twenty five years, a new appraisal of Chamberlain's life is worthwhile.
One much appreciated aspect of White's biography is the use of many illustrations and maps which are placed next to the text to which they relate. This makes it easier to read and is unlike many histories which place maps and illustrations together in a separate section of the book.
One quibble: the subtitle of the book includes "the unlikely heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain." The Civil War and, indeed much of history, American and otherwise, is filled with the stories of ordinary men who unexpectedly rose to the occasion and became leaders and heroes.
Both Grant and Sherman were unlikely leaders and successes. The Union troops who charged up Missionary Ridge to win a battle even though their orders were to stop at the base of the mountain were unlikely heroes. So too were the Confederate soldiers who marched to certain death as part of Pickett's Charge on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
White recognizes that Chamberlain's deep faith and sense of duty and patriotism provides part of the answer of why men become heroes. But, White and we realize this is not the complete answer because many men sharing these values do not distinguish themselves. Perhaps, this is why those men who do overcome obstacles and become extraordinary are so interesting.
Ronald White introduces his fascinating and fast-paced biography of Joshua Chamberlain by explaining that Chamberlain became well-known to a modern audience as a result of his featured role in Michael Shaara's Gettysburg novel, Killer Angels, the Ken Burns PBS documentary, The Civil War, and the 1993 movie Gettysburg . Chamberlain's order for his outnumbered men to charge the attacking Confederate forces at Little Round Top after they ran out of ammunition at the start of the battle of Gettysburg is now familiar to even casual Civil War buffs. The heroism of Chamberlain and his men was significant not only because of the valor displayed but also because the loss of Little Round Top to the Confederates would have exposed the Union Army's left flank and arguably could have changed the outcome of the battle. In closing his book, White asks what makes a hero and his book examines Chamberlains background, education, family life, and, to a lesser extent, the political, social and cultural forces in the period leading up to the Civil War in an effort to help the reader reach conclusions.
Chamberlain's life was not just Little Round Top or even the Civil War. He was a highly intelligent youth brought up in a devout Congregationalist family and community. He graduated Bowdoin college, became fluent in at least nine languages, graduated from a three-year course of study at a theological seminary and seriously considered becoming a minister, and became a professor at Bowdoin. After the Battle of Gettysburg, he participated in the major battles in the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg, at which he was so seriously wounded that he death was imminent. Incredibly, Chamberlain recovered sufficiently to return to fight in the closing of the war at Appomattox. In recognition of his service, Chamberlain was given command of the ceremony at which Lee's Army formally surrendered.
After the war, Chamberlain became president of Bowdoin, served four one-year terms as governor of Maine, and quelled a potential armed battle between Democrats and Republicans in a contested gubernatorial election in Maine without resorting to the use of force or threats. White recounts these episodes well.
Attention is given to Chamberlain's personal life primarily through the deft use of letters written to his wife, Fanny, and his daughter Grace. Chamberlain was strong-willed and could be difficult and his marriage was often troubled.
White quotes a contemporary of Chamberlain's who in 1879 described Chamberlain by stating that "to some men small positions are great opportunities." This seems very accurate.
It should be noted that there have been a number of biographies of Chamberlain which have considered more than the Battle of Gettysburg or his Civil War career. Of note is Mark Perry's 1997 "Conceived in Liberty" which presented a dual biography of Chamberlain and William Oates, the Confederate office who directly opposed Chamberlain at Little Round Top. However, after more than twenty five years, a new appraisal of Chamberlain's life is worthwhile.
One much appreciated aspect of White's biography is the use of many illustrations and maps which are placed next to the text to which they relate. This makes it easier to read and is unlike many histories which place maps and illustrations together in a separate section of the book.
One quibble: the subtitle of the book includes "the unlikely heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain." The Civil War and, indeed much of history, American and otherwise, is filled with the stories of ordinary men who unexpectedly rose to the occasion and became leaders and heroes.
Both Grant and Sherman were unlikely leaders and successes. The Union troops who charged up Missionary Ridge to win a battle even though their orders were to stop at the base of the mountain were unlikely heroes. So too were the Confederate soldiers who marched to certain death as part of Pickett's Charge on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
White recognizes that Chamberlain's deep faith and sense of duty and patriotism provides part of the answer of why men become heroes. But, White and we realize this is not the complete answer because many men sharing these values do not distinguish themselves. Perhaps, this is why those men who do overcome obstacles and become extraordinary are so interesting.
July 27, 2023
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I wanted to love this book so badly, but ultimately I found myself wondering what the point was. White admits that Chamberlain’s narrative has had a resurgence since Michael Shaara’s and while I find the concept of the changing view of history over time interesting, as I was reading this book it didn’t feel like it was bringing anything new to the table regarding Chamberlain. And maybe that’s a problem of me coming into this book with different expectations than what the author intended, but I wanted a deeper dive into the story or at least for his story to be told in an interesting format and this sort of felt like I was reading a Wikipedia page about Chamberlain. Every time I though the story was going to lean into his role in the Civil War (or post-war historian) or as a professor or as governor or his relationship with his wife, White would move into a different part of the story. Maybe that was due to lack of historical sources, but I don’t think it is outside of a biographers purview to offer some analysis or deduction based on evidence that remains so long as it is acknowledged as not provable.
That being said, the book was well researched and the prose was easy to read, so I do think it would be a good starting point for people looking to learn more about Chamberlain, though if you already know the basic facts and/or are looking for more information about specific parts of his life I might suggest you look elsewhere.
I wanted to love this book so badly, but ultimately I found myself wondering what the point was. White admits that Chamberlain’s narrative has had a resurgence since Michael Shaara’s and while I find the concept of the changing view of history over time interesting, as I was reading this book it didn’t feel like it was bringing anything new to the table regarding Chamberlain. And maybe that’s a problem of me coming into this book with different expectations than what the author intended, but I wanted a deeper dive into the story or at least for his story to be told in an interesting format and this sort of felt like I was reading a Wikipedia page about Chamberlain. Every time I though the story was going to lean into his role in the Civil War (or post-war historian) or as a professor or as governor or his relationship with his wife, White would move into a different part of the story. Maybe that was due to lack of historical sources, but I don’t think it is outside of a biographers purview to offer some analysis or deduction based on evidence that remains so long as it is acknowledged as not provable.
That being said, the book was well researched and the prose was easy to read, so I do think it would be a good starting point for people looking to learn more about Chamberlain, though if you already know the basic facts and/or are looking for more information about specific parts of his life I might suggest you look elsewhere.
February 7, 2024
What a wonderful biography of one of Maines most revered citizen’s. The author brings Chamberlain to life through heavy research of his papers, letters and other sources.
Chamberlain and his reputation have come to the fore mostly in the last fifty years. First in appearing as a major figure in Micheal Shaara’s 1974 Pulitzer winning novel “The Killer Angels� and later having his exploits at Gettysburg highlighted in the Ken Burns Civil War documentary
Still it should be noted that in the fifty years after the war he was one of the most sought after speakers on the war, a well respected figure spoken by almost universally as a heroic General as well as an honourable one.
I made multitudes of notes as I read this. Some are included below
Born in 1828 in brewer which in the 1830 census held 1000 people, Bangor across the river held 3K.
His father wanted him to go to the military, his Mother the clergy. He delayed a choice by going to Bowdoin
A heavy emphasis on the Greeks and Roman’s was the curriculum at Bowdoin. Despite the overwhelming Protestantism of the country the professors in American colleges, accepted Greek and Latin authors and their text as also valuable, written centuries before Christ.
Indeed, the argument about American culture, never really changes. A Harvard professor of the time named Cornelius Conway Felton, had written about � on becoming Greek,� railed against� a self indulging age that tolerated a constant reference to self.�
Succesful at Bowdoin. An interesting quote from a senior essay he wrote ( after observing the failed 1848 European revolutions and the resulting immigrant wave to America) � instead of being the representatives of the nation, entrusted with its obligations, and invested with its rights, the sovereign becomes the oppressor. The people have no voice.�
The author intones that Chamberlain � worried that a democratically elected American leader, could become the oppressor that Europeans were fleeing.�
At his graduation from Bowdoin on Sept 1,1852 Chamberlain was one of the students honoured to speak. His nerves got the best of him. At that ceremony, larger than a typical commencement due to it being the school’s fiftieth, famous alumni were many. The audience included three from the famous class of 1825, Longfellow, Hawthorne, and the then Democratic candidate for President, Franklin Pierce
When the Civil War began Chamberlain had just been appointed professor of modern languages at Bowdoin. He was expected to travel to Europe for two years to immerse himself in the language and culture.
In addition he was married with two young children and at thirty three, ten years older than the average recruit.
Even so he volunteered and became a lieutenant colonel of the twentieth Maine.
Interesting fact : Ambrose Burnside one time leader of the Army of the Potomac was a hairy gent. In fact it was a corruption of his name that named sideburns
Chamberlain was wounded twice, once very severely with wounds that by all rights should have killed him. Underestimated is how much these wounds and injuries affected him for the rest of his life.
Interesting fact : Howard University was named after the first director of the freedman’s bureau. A general from Maine. Otis Howard.
As Governor Chamberlain was concerned about young people leaving the state and immigrants declining to settle there. Lack of economic opportunity was the reason he felt the state was losing population.
Some things never change.
He sent a representative to Sweden to encourage settlers from Sweden stating Maine was as goo a place to settle as Minnesota.
Those efforts bore fruit in Northern Maine where the town of New Sweden still exists
Their seems to be, based on one letter that survived, reason to believe the couples marriage struggled while he was Governor. Evidence from one letter also shows that he may have been physically abusive to his wife. We do not know, there is no other mention in any other sources.
His war wound was serious and a constant pain both physically and mentally. Injuries to bladder and uretha, a doctors report cites a large urine fistula at base of penis in front of scrotum which had to be repeatedly repaired.
Even while serving his fourth one year term as Governor when war broke between Prussia and France in 1870 he wrote and offered his services to Prussia.
It seems clear the straight, less nuanced, hierarchy of the military had gained gloss as he served in politics
Maine went through election crisis in 1878 and 1879. In the former three candidates, including one from the upstart soft money proponent party, “The Greenbacks� split the vote. Under Maine law the vote with no plurality winner went to the legislature. Even though a Republican had the most general election votes, due to negotiations, it was a Democratic candidate, who had finished third, who became the governor
When in 1879 the Republicans captured an even higher percentage of the vote but by corrupt manipulation of the vote counting appeared to lose the election again Maine went into a twelve day constitutional crisis with both sides gathering in Augusta with preparations for violence.
Chamberlain was called to Augusta to serve as Military Governor in the interim. He states he would take no sides only maintain peace until the state Supreme Court could rule. This led to all parties to the dispute being angry at him but when the peace held raised his stature even more
His speech in the pit of the legislature during the most heated moments of the crisis was one for the ages. When told that both sides had people threatening to kill him he strode to the spot and spoke extemporaneously.
“Men, you wish to kill me, I hear. Killing is no new thing to me. I have offered myself to be killed many times, when I know more deserved it than I do now. Some of you, I think, have been with me in those days. Do you understand what you want, do you? I am here to preserve the peace and honour of this state, until the right government is seated, which ever it may be, it is not for me to say. But it is for me to see that the laws of this state are put into affect, without fraud, without force, but with calm sought and sincere purpose. I am here for that, and I shall do it. If anybody wants to kill me for it, here I am. Let him kill�
Chamberlain with his years of study of languages and oratory was a gifted writer and speak
A couple of examples include the following below.
In a letter home after attending Grant’s funeral in New York � the great scene is over. Grant is laid in his tomb. You may imagine, a few others can, how strange that seems to me. That emblem of strength and stubborn resolution, yielding to human weakness, and passing helplessly away to dust.�
At Gettysburg in 1889 at a commemoration of The Battle of Little Round Top he ended his speech with these words
� in great deeds, something abides. On great fields ( from whence the title of this biography comes) somethings stays. Forms change and pass, bodies, disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate the ground for the vision, place of souls. And reverent men and women from a far, and generations, that no us not, and that we know not of, heart drawn to see where, and by whom great things were suffered, and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream. �
Chamberlain lived fifty years after he was wounded, dying at the age of 85. His memory is still revered in his community of Brewer, Maine.
Chamberlain and his reputation have come to the fore mostly in the last fifty years. First in appearing as a major figure in Micheal Shaara’s 1974 Pulitzer winning novel “The Killer Angels� and later having his exploits at Gettysburg highlighted in the Ken Burns Civil War documentary
Still it should be noted that in the fifty years after the war he was one of the most sought after speakers on the war, a well respected figure spoken by almost universally as a heroic General as well as an honourable one.
I made multitudes of notes as I read this. Some are included below
Born in 1828 in brewer which in the 1830 census held 1000 people, Bangor across the river held 3K.
His father wanted him to go to the military, his Mother the clergy. He delayed a choice by going to Bowdoin
A heavy emphasis on the Greeks and Roman’s was the curriculum at Bowdoin. Despite the overwhelming Protestantism of the country the professors in American colleges, accepted Greek and Latin authors and their text as also valuable, written centuries before Christ.
Indeed, the argument about American culture, never really changes. A Harvard professor of the time named Cornelius Conway Felton, had written about � on becoming Greek,� railed against� a self indulging age that tolerated a constant reference to self.�
Succesful at Bowdoin. An interesting quote from a senior essay he wrote ( after observing the failed 1848 European revolutions and the resulting immigrant wave to America) � instead of being the representatives of the nation, entrusted with its obligations, and invested with its rights, the sovereign becomes the oppressor. The people have no voice.�
The author intones that Chamberlain � worried that a democratically elected American leader, could become the oppressor that Europeans were fleeing.�
At his graduation from Bowdoin on Sept 1,1852 Chamberlain was one of the students honoured to speak. His nerves got the best of him. At that ceremony, larger than a typical commencement due to it being the school’s fiftieth, famous alumni were many. The audience included three from the famous class of 1825, Longfellow, Hawthorne, and the then Democratic candidate for President, Franklin Pierce
When the Civil War began Chamberlain had just been appointed professor of modern languages at Bowdoin. He was expected to travel to Europe for two years to immerse himself in the language and culture.
In addition he was married with two young children and at thirty three, ten years older than the average recruit.
Even so he volunteered and became a lieutenant colonel of the twentieth Maine.
Interesting fact : Ambrose Burnside one time leader of the Army of the Potomac was a hairy gent. In fact it was a corruption of his name that named sideburns
Chamberlain was wounded twice, once very severely with wounds that by all rights should have killed him. Underestimated is how much these wounds and injuries affected him for the rest of his life.
Interesting fact : Howard University was named after the first director of the freedman’s bureau. A general from Maine. Otis Howard.
As Governor Chamberlain was concerned about young people leaving the state and immigrants declining to settle there. Lack of economic opportunity was the reason he felt the state was losing population.
Some things never change.
He sent a representative to Sweden to encourage settlers from Sweden stating Maine was as goo a place to settle as Minnesota.
Those efforts bore fruit in Northern Maine where the town of New Sweden still exists
Their seems to be, based on one letter that survived, reason to believe the couples marriage struggled while he was Governor. Evidence from one letter also shows that he may have been physically abusive to his wife. We do not know, there is no other mention in any other sources.
His war wound was serious and a constant pain both physically and mentally. Injuries to bladder and uretha, a doctors report cites a large urine fistula at base of penis in front of scrotum which had to be repeatedly repaired.
Even while serving his fourth one year term as Governor when war broke between Prussia and France in 1870 he wrote and offered his services to Prussia.
It seems clear the straight, less nuanced, hierarchy of the military had gained gloss as he served in politics
Maine went through election crisis in 1878 and 1879. In the former three candidates, including one from the upstart soft money proponent party, “The Greenbacks� split the vote. Under Maine law the vote with no plurality winner went to the legislature. Even though a Republican had the most general election votes, due to negotiations, it was a Democratic candidate, who had finished third, who became the governor
When in 1879 the Republicans captured an even higher percentage of the vote but by corrupt manipulation of the vote counting appeared to lose the election again Maine went into a twelve day constitutional crisis with both sides gathering in Augusta with preparations for violence.
Chamberlain was called to Augusta to serve as Military Governor in the interim. He states he would take no sides only maintain peace until the state Supreme Court could rule. This led to all parties to the dispute being angry at him but when the peace held raised his stature even more
His speech in the pit of the legislature during the most heated moments of the crisis was one for the ages. When told that both sides had people threatening to kill him he strode to the spot and spoke extemporaneously.
“Men, you wish to kill me, I hear. Killing is no new thing to me. I have offered myself to be killed many times, when I know more deserved it than I do now. Some of you, I think, have been with me in those days. Do you understand what you want, do you? I am here to preserve the peace and honour of this state, until the right government is seated, which ever it may be, it is not for me to say. But it is for me to see that the laws of this state are put into affect, without fraud, without force, but with calm sought and sincere purpose. I am here for that, and I shall do it. If anybody wants to kill me for it, here I am. Let him kill�
Chamberlain with his years of study of languages and oratory was a gifted writer and speak
A couple of examples include the following below.
In a letter home after attending Grant’s funeral in New York � the great scene is over. Grant is laid in his tomb. You may imagine, a few others can, how strange that seems to me. That emblem of strength and stubborn resolution, yielding to human weakness, and passing helplessly away to dust.�
At Gettysburg in 1889 at a commemoration of The Battle of Little Round Top he ended his speech with these words
� in great deeds, something abides. On great fields ( from whence the title of this biography comes) somethings stays. Forms change and pass, bodies, disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate the ground for the vision, place of souls. And reverent men and women from a far, and generations, that no us not, and that we know not of, heart drawn to see where, and by whom great things were suffered, and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream. �
Chamberlain lived fifty years after he was wounded, dying at the age of 85. His memory is still revered in his community of Brewer, Maine.
December 20, 2023
The title is from a speech JLC gave at Gettysburg in 1889.
“In great deeds, something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate the ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream.�
Chamberlain was a superstar of his era but was largely forgotten after his death in 1914. He was resurrected in a novel in the 1980’s and then the movie in the 1990’s put him firmly back in the public eye. He is the poster boy for selfless devotion to duty and putting the needs of others before self.
Just a fascinating and informative account of the life of a remarkable man. He received a mortal wound and lived another 49 years in constant pain. This is the definitive account of his life. Hero. Change Agent.
“In great deeds, something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate the ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream.�
Chamberlain was a superstar of his era but was largely forgotten after his death in 1914. He was resurrected in a novel in the 1980’s and then the movie in the 1990’s put him firmly back in the public eye. He is the poster boy for selfless devotion to duty and putting the needs of others before self.
Just a fascinating and informative account of the life of a remarkable man. He received a mortal wound and lived another 49 years in constant pain. This is the definitive account of his life. Hero. Change Agent.
July 25, 2023
I’ve been fascinated by the story of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain ever since I read The Killer Angels and saw the film version of Gettysburg, and own two volumes of his writings and an older biography. I jumped at the chance to read On Great Fields, the forthcoming Chamberlain biography by Ronald C. White.
On Great Fields is a wonderful achievement. Well researched and documented, it looks at all aspects of Chamberlain’s life, not just his military accomplishments. I particularly appreciated the section on his childhood, having been completely unfamiliar with that part of his life and with his religious upbringing. The author doesn’t speculate on events where information may be missing, such as letters that were lost, rather simply informing the reader that there’s missing data. Overall one of the better biographies I’ve read in many years.
Highly recommended.
My profuse thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this excellent book.
On Great Fields is a wonderful achievement. Well researched and documented, it looks at all aspects of Chamberlain’s life, not just his military accomplishments. I particularly appreciated the section on his childhood, having been completely unfamiliar with that part of his life and with his religious upbringing. The author doesn’t speculate on events where information may be missing, such as letters that were lost, rather simply informing the reader that there’s missing data. Overall one of the better biographies I’ve read in many years.
Highly recommended.
My profuse thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this excellent book.
December 10, 2023
Having previously read Joshua Chamberlain: The Soldier and the Man by Longacre, this was a good addition. I personally preferred the writing style of White. This book reminds us that there is much more to Chamberlain than his few years in the Union Army. His time as a student and then professor at Bowdoin had a great influence on the military leader he became.
November 13, 2023
Incredible biography of an incredible man. I feel much like Mr. White does, that books often focus too much on the war exploits of their subject and we don’t see as full a picture as we could. He has written a near perfect book and I’m sad to see it end.
December 16, 2023
a brilliant and flawed hero
White’s biography is well researched and well written. A wonderful addition to American biographies and important Civil War history. Maine’s hero is our hero.
White’s biography is well researched and well written. A wonderful addition to American biographies and important Civil War history. Maine’s hero is our hero.
October 3, 2024
I was a bit baffled as I approached the point in the story about Chamberlain's death and my kindle noted I was only half way through the book. Well, mystery solved. After the acknowledgements, extensive notes, bibliography and index pretty much sucked up the pages. And, I guess, a solid testimonial to the depth of research that went into the book.
I was familiar with Chamberlain from the movie Gettysburg and the book "The Killer Angels" upon which it was based. So, knew well his role in the defense of "Little Round Top" in the battle of Gettysburg but not much about his role as President of Boudin College, 4 terms as Governor of Maine, and his life after the war.
He was severely wounded several times in battle so rather amazing that he was able to accomplish so much afterwards. Book does well on rounding out his life and personality - I especially enjoyed the photos they were able to dig up of the folks who shared his life. Book is highly recommended for American History buffs who will find it rewarding. At his death at age 86, he was the last Civil War veteran to have died of his war wounds.
I was familiar with Chamberlain from the movie Gettysburg and the book "The Killer Angels" upon which it was based. So, knew well his role in the defense of "Little Round Top" in the battle of Gettysburg but not much about his role as President of Boudin College, 4 terms as Governor of Maine, and his life after the war.
He was severely wounded several times in battle so rather amazing that he was able to accomplish so much afterwards. Book does well on rounding out his life and personality - I especially enjoyed the photos they were able to dig up of the folks who shared his life. Book is highly recommended for American History buffs who will find it rewarding. At his death at age 86, he was the last Civil War veteran to have died of his war wounds.
August 14, 2024
An interesting biography of a sometimes overlooked great American. Chamberlain was a devout Christian, college president, hero of the Battle of Gettysburg where he commanded a regimen of Union soldiers from his home state of Maine, where he eventually became governor. He accomplished more before age 60 than most people do in lifetime. Highly esteemed and respected by both northerners and southerners he committed himself to healing the country after the Civil War. Well researched and written.
May 22, 2024
Excellent biography that deals with the entire life of JLC as well as the famous Civil War years. It’s remarkable to think that he lived into his eighties and the war was only 3 years of his life and that is what we remember best due to recent book, movies and documentaries. Thoroughly researched and a highly recommended read for any history buff.
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