James Hessler's Gettysburg History: Books, Travel, Podcasts, Speaking

09/16/2026

That was a good program! Appreciative that the Gettysburg Foundation asked me to do my part. “Meade Takes Command”

09/14/2026

On Saturday night, we attended an intense showing of the film ‘United 93’ along with a panel of five victims’ family members. ‘United 93’ might be the best history movie that many have never seen. Thanks to Gettysburg History for hosting this important event. In a town that “sometimes” obsesses about the events of 1863, never forget 2001.

09/13/2026

Tickets are selling well for the Band of Brothers 25th Anniversary event at the Majestic in Gettysburg on October 24. I will not be on any of the panels because I was already committed to giving a tour for part of the day and Band of Brothers isn’t really my wheelhouse. But we are throwing our volunteer time and support behind this along with several of our friends. Come out and see some WW2 experts and cast members talk BoB’s legacy! When? Saturday October 24. Where? The Majestic Theatre in Gettysburg. Tickets? In the link and comments. See you there!

BIG NEWS!

A special screening on Band of Brothers: Legacy is happening Saturday, October 24th in Gettysburg! We've been working closely with the producers of this documentary that celebrates the 25th anniversary of Band of Brothers and are excited to bring it to one of America's most historic places in a state where many of the men from Easy Company called home.

As an added layer of coolness, you'll be watching this screening with us in the historic Majestic Theater, which is the same theater that Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower frequented during their time in Gettysburg. Along with the screening, we'll be running a series of panel discussions with well known historians, actors and the people who brought Band of Brothers to life. We'll be revealing more details as things progress but I can tell you that one guest is a well known history creator on YouTube who doesn't make it over to the U.S. very often. I can promise you that this is something that you won't want to miss.

And of course, you'll be able to top it off with a visit to The Gettysburg Museum Of History to see the Dick Winters Collection and the largest collection of Easy Company artifacts anywhere in the world. I've got a feeling that these tickets are going to go fast so I would jump on it asap. Details via the links below.
Can't wait to see you there!

http://gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com/foundation

Tickets can be ordered directly here: https://www.gettysburgmajestic.org/calendar/event_detail.dot?id=d04b20a7-2908-452d-8cb8-677ec57a8951

09/11/2026

Not there today, but some Flight 93 Memorial pics from past visits. Don’t you ever forget.

09/10/2026

Thanks to the crew at the Harper’s Ferry CWRT for hosting me last night to talk on the Battle of Little Bighorn. It was a good sized group. Most of these talks are booked a year or more in advance and I purposefully loaded my 2026 calendar with Custer / LBH topics in honor of the battle’s 150th anniversary. I have enjoyed the variety besides doing the usual Gettysburg-themed topics.

09/09/2026

First: thanks to everyone who joined my ABT talk last night on Little Bighorn. I saw some familiar names on the Zoom. Thanks also to Kris and Dan. Second: if you are nearby, join me tonight at 7:30pm at the Harper’s Ferry CWRT for the same topic. Third: the ABT talk was part of their Zoom lecture series and I will be back on October 6 to talk Culp’s Hill: July 3. Registration link is below and fee proceeds support the ABT. Yes, it can be difficult to manage this schedule.

https://www.battlefields.org/events/drive-them-out-daylight-battle-culps-hill-july-3-1863?fbclid=IwRlRTSAUOO4RwZG9mAWZkaWQWUOGwi4WaiVysolHXkFoU2cEZUU7VI2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6IZiu_BwDaP03lCaqgbzCv-3X0ZoUS09wz0navt1uiXHYxPcibe6-6E5hQCQ_aem__GCpNxBP39Dbg8XkFv-_Iw

Overshadowed by Pickett’s Charge, the fierce fighting at Culp’s Hill proved critical to the Union defense at Gettysburg. In this online lecture, James...

09/08/2026

Today is the 60th anniversary of the premiere of Star Trek on American TV. (It premiered a few days earlier in Canada.) I have never been to space but we did visit the Ticonderoga set tour in 2022 and saw Shatner live in 2018. LLAP Sickles fans.

09/04/2026

Next week: I have three speaking events, two of which are open to the public!

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I will be speaking again on The Battle of Little Bighorn. All the myths, controversies, etc!

Tuesday September 8 via Zoom at 7:15pm for the American Battlefield Trust. Registration is ONLY $5.50 to benefit the ABT. The link is below:

https://www.battlefields.org/events/battle-little-bighorn-150-years-mystery-and-controversy

Wednesday September 9. Come out and see me speak live at the Harpers Ferry CWRT. Meeting is at the Camp Hill Wesley UM Church on Washington St, Harpers Ferry. The talk begins at 7:30 pm.

Hope to see you live or virtually!

Marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, this lecture explores one of the most debated conflicts in American history. James...

09/02/2026

I had the opportunity this week to give a 2-day Chancellorsville and Wilderness tour again. Although it was extremely hot, we hit all the key points for both battles. Good to go beyond Gettysburg when the opportunities present themselves.

08/31/2026

More from Whitechapel. During the overnight hours of August 30 - 31, 1888, the body of Mary Ann “Polly” Nichols was found on the site of Buck’s Row. (Subsequently renamed to Durward St.) Nichols is formally considered the first victim of serial killer Jack the Ripper. The murder site has been completely rehabilitated and today is the entrance to a London Underground station. (It still had a nasty feel to it when I first visited in the 1990s, but totally different today.) The tall building is a former Board School which existed in 1888. Pics taken earlier this year.