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

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.

08/29/2026

Had an opportunity to “give a tour” to some friends who were staying on the Rose farm today. Perfect late summer weather to discuss the farm’s bloody history.

08/25/2026

Our latest BoGP video is now on YouTube. In recent months, “what Little Bighorn books should I read?” has become an increasingly received question. Even topping Dan Sickles and Spotify questions. It’s also fun for enthusiasts to debate on their own favorite books. So check out our personal Little Bighorn book recommendations and feel free to comment whether you agree or disagree.

The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast's commemoration of Little Bighorn ...

08/21/2026

Signup for the ALBG Fall Seminar! Lots of great tours and don’t forget I’m the Friday night speaker. Just saying.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Dh2jvHVGJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/20/2026

Good time last night talking “Sickles at Gettysburg” with the Civil War Round Table of Kansas City. But here are some pics from my roadtrip to the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Highly recommended by everyone and I recommend it too. Lots of info to digest.