James Gindlesperger – författare

If you didn’t sleep through U.S. history class, you’ve heard of Pickett’s Charge. If you’ve seen the movie Gettysburg, you’re familiar with Little Round Top. If you’ve been to the battlefield, you’ve seen the Wheatfield. But do you know about the ten or so Confederates buried by accident in Gettysburg National Cemetery? Or about the Union general whose embezzling ways kept his bust from being displayed on his brigade’s memorial? Or how that same embezzling general, when asked why he had no monument at Gettysburg, could rightly reply, “Why, hell, the whole battlefield is my monument”? Authors James and Suzanne Gindlesperger have visited Gettysburg an average of five times annually over the past twenty years. So You Think You Know Gettysburg? shows why they find it a place not only of horrible carnage and remarkable bravery but endless fascination. Who, or what, was Penelope? Whose dog is depicted on the Eleventh Pennsylvania Monument, and why? What are the Curious Rocks? Why does Gettysburg have two markers for the battle’s first shot, and why are they in different locations? The plentiful maps, the nearly 200 site descriptions, and the 270-plus color photos in So You Think You Know Gettysburg? will answer questions you didn’t even know you had about America’s greatest battlefield.

James and Suzanne Gindlesperger are the authors of So You Think You Know Gettysburg?, which was the bronze winner in the travel guide category for ForeWord Reviews’ Book of the Year Award in 2010. James is a “Friend of the Field” at Gettysburg and the author of three books about the Civil War: Escape from Libby Prison, Seed Corn of the Confederacy, and Fire on the Water. Suzanne is the cofounder of Pennwriters, a professional organization of published and aspiring authors. The couple lives in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

"This is not a book that fits into one slot easily. This is a book wearing many hats . . . defying a quick or easy description. Part guidebook, part trivia quiz, and part history with a series of fine color photos . . . a well-organized, very attractive, fun book . . . " — James Durney, TOCWOC, A Civil War Blog

September 17, 2012, marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam—America’s bloodiest day. To the people in the North it was Antietam, after the stream whose name translated from the Native American as the swift current. Those in the South referred to it as Sharpsburg, after the nearby town. Whatever the name, this much is undisputed: it was the bloodiest one-day battle in United States history. Following just 12 hours of combat, some 23,000 American soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing. The site of the battle of Antietam is remarkably preserved and looks much the same today as it did on that fateful day 150 years ago. Administered by the National Park Service, the Antietam National Battlefield contains nearly 100 monuments, each with its own story.

So You Think You Know Antietam? honors those who took part in this darkest of days in our nation’s history by telling the stories behind the monuments. Who designed the monuments and what do the symbols represent? Why are no Confederate soldiers buried in the national cemetery? What connection did Clara Barton have with the battle? Who was Johnny Cook and what did he do? Written with casual visitors and armchair travelers in mind, So You Think You Know Antietam? answers the above questions and more. Readers will learn some of the lesser known stories about Antietam and the human side of war through poignant vignettes that reveal the ironies and tragedies not normally found in typical guidebooks. Featuring close to 300 color photos, 10 color-coded chapters and maps, and GPS coordinates of all monument locations, So You Think You Know Antietam? is a well-organized, attractive book meant to enrich the reader’s experience.

James and Suzanne Gindlesperger are the authors of So You Think You Know Gettysburg?, which was the bronze winner in the travel guide category for ForeWord Reviews’ Book of the Year Award in 2010. James is a “Friend of the Field” at Gettysburg and the author of three books about the Civil War: Escape from Libby Prison, Seed Corn of the Confederacy, and Fire on the Water. Suzanne is the cofounder of Pennwriters, a professional organization of published and aspiring authors. The couple lives in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Nearly two million people visit Gettysburg National Military Park annually, but most of those visitors possess only a rudimentary knowledge of the battle and restrict their travel to the well-established tourist routes. Few know the stories behind the monuments that dot the battlefield, but those back stories are often as fascinating as the story of the battle itself. In their award-winning So You Think You Know Gettysburg?, the Gindlespergers had to make difficult decisions when deciding which of the 200 sites out of the 1,300 battlefield monuments to include. At their frequent book signings in Gettysburg, customers were asking them for a second volume so visitors could learn even more about the monuments throughout the park. In So You Think You Know Gettysburg? Volume Two, the Gindlespergers have expounded on the histories of an additional 200+ park attractions. The area maps and 270+ color photographs make this guide a welcome addition for the park visitor or the armchair traveler.

JAMES AND SUZANNE GINDLESPERGER are members of the Friends of Gettysburg Foundation, the Save Historic Antietam Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Civil War Preservation Trust. Suzanne is a cofounder of Pennwriters, a professional organization for published and aspiring authors. James is the author of three previous Civil War books. The couple lives in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Most Americans have heard of Arlington National Cemetery, yet many of those interred rest in obscurity. This book seeks to honor their memories by telling the stories of 250 people buried here. Many were battlefield heroes, but some survived war to go on to major accomplishments. There are also stories of the original inhabitants of the cemetery, slaves and freedmen who worked on the Lee estate. In addition, the book covers popular sites such as the Tomb of the Unknowns and President Kennedy’s gravesite.

Navigating Arlington can be frustrating for visitors. Searching for a particular section of the cemetery is impractical without a map, and locating a specific grave within a section can lead to expenditure of significant time and energy. To aid visitors, a series of maps presents logical starting points. There is a GPS coordinate for each gravesite, which combines with the cemetery’s smart phone application to make location simple. The description of each site is accompanied by a color photograph.

James Gindlesperger is the author of several books about the Civil War: Escape from Libby Prison, Seed Corn of the Confederacy, and Fire on the Water. He and his wife also co-authored So You Think You Know Gettysburg? and So You Think You Know Antietam?, which were both honored as Foreword Reviews’ Book of the Year finalists in the travel category. They live in Johnstown, PA.

" . . . James Gindlesperger offers a beautiful tribute . . . Arlington: A Color Guide to America’s Most Famous Cemetery is a must read for anyone interested in Arlington National Cemetery and the intriguing stories of some who are interred there." -David D. Haught, Military Review