Hi folks,

I've been speaking to Ted Savas of "Savas Beatie" publishing. A new book is about to be released on one of my favorite battles, and as far as I know, it is the first full-length book devoted to this subject.

This may be something we can include as a benefit for participation in the discussions on the History-Sites.Com, in the future, but for now I'll just make an informal request for a "show of hands" if you'd like to participate in a group purchase of this book through the message boards.

If we can place a minimum order for twenty (20) books, let's say over the next thirty (30) days, or sooner. I can purchase them at a discount and then redistribute them to you.

The list price of the book is $34.95 plus S&H. If I can place an order for twenty or more of these books, I can offer them to you for $25.00 plus S&H. I'd estimate USPS Media Mail and packaging costs will run about $3.00.

Now, you can purchase these books through Amazon.Com for $24.47 plus $3.00 S&H, but one added benefit of the books I would order from Savas Beatie, is these books will be signed by the author, Timothy Smith of the Shiloh NMP and PhD from Mississippi State.

Either respond to me through the message board or send me an email if you'd be interested.

Of course, my "ulterior motive" is that a small portion of your purchase would go to offset the costs of maintaining, upgrading and moving these message boards.

Here are the details on this new book:

Champion Hill
Decisive Battle for Vicksburg
Timothy B. Smith

Foreword by Terrence Winschel, Chief Historian, Vicksburg National Military Park

ISBN: 1-932714-00-6; photos, illus., maps, biblio., index., cloth, d.j., 360 pages. $34.95

The Battle of Champion Hill was the decisive land engagement of the Vicksburg Campaign. The May 16, 1863, fighting took place just 20 miles east of the river city, where the advance of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Federal army attacked Gen. John C. Pemberton's hastily gathered Confederates. The bloody fighting seesawed back and forth until superior Union leadership broke apart the Southern line, sending Pemberton's army into headlong retreat. The victory on Mississippi's wooded hills sealed the fate of both Vicksburg and her large field army, propelled Grant into the national spotlight, and earned him the command of the entire U.S. armed forces.

Timothy Smith holds a Ph.D. from Mississippi State in history and works for the National Park Service as a ranger at Shiloh National Battlefield Park. He has written the definitive account of this long overlooked battle. His vivid prose is grounded upon years of primary research and is rich in analysis, strategic and tactical action, and character development.

Champion Hill will become a classic Civil War battle study.

Let me here from you,

Jim