Pickett's Gap

Greene, Homer, 1853-1940Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.9

Word count: 230K words
Chapters: 24

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Pickett's Gap by Homer GreeneAuthor: Greene, Homer, 1853-1940,Language: English, Class: PZ: Language and Literatures: Juvenile belles lettres, Release Date: Apr 16, 2014

Editor's review

This is a juvenile work by Homer Greene set against the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War, with its narrative centered on the historical event known as Pickett's Charge. As a public-domain eBook, it preserves the typical style of late nineteenth-century American juvenile literature: brisk plotting, clear-cut good and evil characters, and an emphasis on courage, duty, and patriotism. For readers familiar with American history or interested in Civil War themes, the book offers an entry point for understanding war from a young person's perspective; for those studying the history of juvenile literature or the evolution of American historical fiction, it also has some documentary reference value. It is best read as a product of its time, appreciating the plainness and sincerity of its storytelling while noting the limitations and partisan leanings that may be present.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in American Civil War history
Enthusiasts studying late nineteenth-century American juvenile literature
Readers who wish to understand the narrative style of public-domain historical fiction
Readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories set against war

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting rigorous military history or battle analysis
Readers who prefer modern narrative pacing and complex character portrayal
Readers sensitive to the period's ideological stances in historical fiction

Reading tips

First learn the basic facts of the Battle of Gettysburg and Pickett's Charge before entering the story.
Pay attention to the young protagonist's coming-of-age thread rather than focusing only on battle scenes.
Read the book alongside similar Civil War juvenile novels to observe differences in narrative.
After reading, check the historical place names and unit designations mentioned in the book to distinguish fact from fiction.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for children to read independently?

The language and plot are relatively plain, so young readers with some English reading ability can try it. However, the book deals with war and carries nineteenth-century value expressions; parents or teachers are advised to offer appropriate guidance to help children distinguish historical background from literary invention.

Do I need prior knowledge of the American Civil War to read this book?

A systematic knowledge of Civil War history is not necessary, but understanding the basic background of the Battle of Gettysburg will noticeably improve the reading experience. At minimum, knowing the timing of the battle, the Union and Confederate sides, and the general course of Pickett's Charge will help readers get into the plot more quickly.

Is this a work of history or a novel?

This is a literary work set against historical events, belonging to the category of juvenile fiction. It uses a real battle framework to develop a fictional narrative and should not be cited as military history or historical source material; it is best appreciated as literature.

Comments

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About the author

Greene, Homer, 1853-1940 Author

Homer Greene (1853-1940) was an American author about whom public information is limited, and details of his life are now difficult to trace. Nine of his works are held in the collection, mostly centering on American history and mining life, with elements of coming-of-age and adventure stories. Representative works include Whispering Tongues, Burnham Breaker, The Blind Brother: A Story of the Pennsylvania Coal Mines, Pickett's Gap, The Flag, A Lincoln Conscript, A Tale of the Tow-Path, and The Riverpark Rebellion. These works show that Greene drew on real historical settings, weaving the Civil War, the Lincoln era, and the conditions of coal miners into his plots. His narratives emphasize suspense and turns of fate, and his plain yet moving style suits young readers. His writing has some value in popularizing history and portraying ordinary people's choices amid great events, but because his life and books have long lacked systematic study, scholarly attention remains limited and further exploration is needed.