This is a remarkable book titled 'The Shaping of a Battle: Gettysburg'. Written by James Stuart Montgomery and published by Chilton Company - Book Division in 1959, it's a first - edition hardcover with a dust jacket. The book is in very good condition overall. It comes with three maps for each of the three days of the battle, and all maps are in good shape. The dust cover, though it has some minor damage like rubbing, closed tears, and creases, especially at the hinges and edges, and a blacked - out price, is still intact with a plastic cover that has dents and soiling. The cover shows minor soiling and edge and shelf wear, and the back cover has warped due to the additional maps. The text block has a striped style, slightly discolored from age and soiling. There's a mark from a previous owner on the back free - endpaper, but the pages are clean, bright, intact, and legible, and the bindings are tight and sturdy.
Using this book is as easy as opening it up and starting to read. You can explore the details of the Gettysburg battle and look at the included maps for a better understanding. When handling the book, be gentle, especially when turning the pages to avoid any damage. To maintain it, keep it in a dry and cool place away from direct sunlight. Don't place heavy objects on it as the cover is already a bit warped. If you want to clean the dust cover, use a soft, dry cloth. And if you're storing it on a shelf, make sure it's standing upright to keep the bindings in good condition.
