Background
Desjardin was born at Saint Mary"s Hospital, now Saint Mary"s Regional Medical Center (Maine) in Lewiston, Maine.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
book
Stand Firm Ye Boys from Maine: The 20th Maine and the Gettysburg Campaign
(Fought amid rocks and trees, in thick blinding smoke, and...)
Fought amid rocks and trees, in thick blinding smoke, and under exceedingly stressful conditions, the battle for the southern slope of Little Round Top on July 2, 1863 stands among the most famous and crucial military actions in American history, one of the key engagements that led to the North's victory at Gettysburg. In this powerfully narrated history, Maine historian Tom Desjardin tells the story of the 20th Maine Regiment, the soldiers who fought and won the battle of Little Round Top. This engaging work is the culmination of years of detailed research on the experiences of the soldiers in that regiment, telling the complete story of the unit in the Gettysburg Campaign, from June 21 through July 10, 1863. Desjardin uses more than seventy first-hand accounts to tell the story of this campaign in critical detail. He brings the personal experiences of the soldiers to life, relating the story from both sides and revealing the actions and feelings of the men from Alabama who tried, in vain, to seize Little Round Top. Indeed, ranging from the lowest ranking private to the highest officers, this book explores the terrible experiences of war and their tragic effect. Following the regiment through the campaign enables readers to understand fully the soldiers' feelings towards the enemy, towards citizens of both North and South, and towards the commanders of the two armies. In addition, this book traces the development of the legend of Gettysburg, as veterans of the fight struggle to remember, grasp, and memorialize their part in the largest battle ever fought on the continent. With a new preface and updated maps and illustrations, Stand Firm Ye Boys of Maine offers a compelling account of one of the most crucial small engagements of the Civil War.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195382315/?tag=2022091-20
Joshua L. Chamberlain: The Life in Letters of a Great Leader of the American Civil War (General Military) by Thomas Desjardin (2012-05-22)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N03HDKQ/?tag=2022091-20
(Joshua L. Chamberlain: The Life in Letters of a Great Leader of the American Civil War ) Author: Thomas A. Desjardin May-2012
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0140ESJJ0/?tag=2022091-20
Stand Firm Ye Boys from Maine: The 20th Maine and the Gettysburg Campaign by Thomas A. Desjardin (2009-10-29)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FEKFA2S/?tag=2022091-20
Joshua L. Chamberlain: The Life in Letters of a Great Leader of the American Civil War (General Military)
( Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain has been a central characte...)
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain has been a central character in two feature films (Gettysburg and Gods & Generals), a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (The Killer Angels), and an inspiration for Ken Burns's production of the highly acclaimed PBS series The Civil War. Chamberlain won national fame at the Battle of Gettysburg for his key role in fending off the Confederates at Little Round Top on day two of the battle. This new volume brings to public light 300 never-before-seen letters from Chamberlain's personal correspondence, which comprises letters sent by or to Chamberlain from his college years in 1852 to his death in 1914. The first 100 letters shed light on Chamberlain's formative years and his courtship with Fannie Adams, which has been the source of much speculation by scholars. The final 200 letters reveal insights into Chamberlain the Union commander and the aftermath of the war. Chamberlain's image can be found on everything from historical art to sculpture, from t-shirts to clocks, from bobble-head dolls to snow globes. Despite all this attention, there is still a lot about Chamberlain that most people do not know. His life is a remarkable story of perseverance, tragedy, and triumph. From an insecure young man with a considerable stuttering problem who grew up in a small town in eastern Maine, Joshua Chamberlain rose to become a major general, recipient of the Medal of Honor, Governor of Maine, and President of Bowdoin College. His writings are among the most oft-quoted of all Civil War memoirs, and he has become a legendary, even mythical historical figure. Historian and acclaimed author, Thomas Desjardin, puts Chamberlain's words in contemporary and historical context and uses this extraordinary collection of letters to reveal--for the first time--the full and remarkable life of Joshua Chamberlain. Readers will find this unique portrait of Chamberlain to be entertaining, moving, and inspiring.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1849085595/?tag=2022091-20
Thomas Desjardin
Edit ProfileEducation
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in history from the University of Maine and has taught at his alma mater (FSU), at Bowdoin College, and the University of Maine.
Career
He is also a former fellow at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City. 1993 - Feature Film Gettysburg (1993 film). Historical advisor to actor Jeff Daniels - In 2011, Daniels said publicly of his role as Joshua Chamberlain: "Foreign me, whatever people think that role was, it is because of Tom Desjardin." 1999, 2006, 2013 Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network"s Book television 1999 - History Channel - Unknown Civil War series - on air historical consultant 2000 - History Channel - Chamberlain 2000 - A&East Network - 2015 - The Gettysburg Address (film) - In Production.
While a student at FSU in 1984, Desjardin was the emcee at a pep rally and introduced the famous "Seminole War Chant" to FSU fans for the first time.
A former archivist/historian at Gettysburg National Military Park, much of his historical research has been devoted to Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, on the mythology of the Gettysburg story, and Maine history. His work was twice nominated for the prestigious Lincoln Prize.
Desjardin has appeared in nationally televised documentaries numerous times and was the historical consultant for actor Jeff Daniels in his role as Chamberlain in the 1993 movie Gettysburg. He has also served as the historian for Maine"s Department of Conservation.
In 2014, Maine governor Paul LePage appointed Desjardin to serve as the state"s Commissioner of Education.
Works
book
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Stand Firm Ye Boys from Maine: The 20th Maine and the Gettysburg Campaign
(Fought amid rocks and trees, in thick blinding smoke, and...)
-
Joshua L. Chamberlain: The Life in Letters of a Great Leader of the American Civil War (General Military)
( Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain has been a central characte...)
- Joshua L. Chamberlain: The Life in Letters of a Great Leader of the American Civil War (General Military) by Thomas Desjardin (2012-05-22)
- (Joshua L. Chamberlain: The Life in Letters of a Great Leader of the American Civil War ) Author: Thomas A. Desjardin May-2012
- Stand Firm Ye Boys from Maine: The 20th Maine and the Gettysburg Campaign by Thomas A. Desjardin (2009-10-29)
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Stand Firm Ye Boys from Maine: The 20th Maine and the Gettysburg Campaign
Membership
Desjardin earned a bachelor"s degree in government and a master"s degree in communication from Florida State University, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.
