J. David Petruzzi

J. David Petruzzi is a long-time student of American history, specializing in the Civil War. Several of his books have already been deemed to be standard references on the war by institutions such as National Geographic and The Civil War News books editors. He was named the Historical Advisor for the proposed 15-part TV miniseries "To Appomattox", starring Jason O'Mara, Dwight Yoakam, Sara Evans, Trace Adkins, Damian Lewis, D.B. Sweeney, Kim Delaney, Walton Goggins, the members of the band Rascal Flatts, and many more in the all-star ensemble cast. He has also been the historian-consultant for several historical art pieces produced by world-famous painter Bruce K. Lawes, notably for works dealing with Gettysburg subjects, Abraham Lincoln, and the American West. He is the author of many articles in magazines such as America's Civil War, Civil War Times, Gettysburg Magazine, Blue&Gray, and North and South. In 2006, his first book (with Eric Wittenberg) appeared, and is a best-selling narrative of Jeb Stuart's advance to Gettysburg titled "Plenty of Blame To Go Around." In 2008 his second book, "One Continuous Fight" (with Wittenberg and Michael Nugent), a narrative of the retreat from Gettysburg, is also a best-seller. In 2009, Petruzzi's third book, featuring maps and a complete design by acclaimed cartographer/graphic designer Steven Stanley, is titled "The Complete Gettysburg Guide." It opened to rave reviews, and won the US Army's Award for Excellence in the Reference category. As a followup, Petruzzi narrated an audio guide to the Gettysburg battlefield. Featuring packaging and maps designed by Stanley, it is one of the most popular audio guides to the field. "The New Gettysburg Campaign Handbook" by Petruzzi and Stanley was released in June 2011 and as a companion to their Gettysburg Guide, it is packed with a narrative, trivia and facts of entire campaign. Featuring a design and maps by Stanley, the book has likewise become a best-seller. Appearing in May 2013 was Petruzzi and Stanley's newest book, "The Gettysburg Campaign in Numbers and Losses." Featuring over 60 new maps of the entire campaign by Stanley, the book contains Orders of Battle, Strengths, and detailed Losses for 48 engagements of the campaign from June 9 through July 14. Now readers will be able to see the exact losses each army suffered throughout the campaign at each engagement, as well as the total losses for the five-week period. In 2009, following the release of the Gettysburg guide, he was a featured author on the Pennsylvania Cable Network's "PA Books" Show, which was viewed by several million subscribers across several states. He has also been a guest on PCN's Gettysburg 150th Anniversary coverage and several other PCN productions such as Battlefield Pennsylvania, many radio talk shows, as well as a historical advisor to documentary films and historical programs that have appeared on national television such as History, the Travel Channel, Discovery, and PBS. Petruzzi also has conducted a number of staff rides and battlefield tours concentrating on strategy and tactics for the U.S. Army, and in the past has conducted them for foreign troops such as the Israeli Defense Forces and British and Canadian military units. He has also written the historical text for one of the U.S. Army's recruiting pieces. In addition to studying history and speaking to various historical groups and Civil War Rountables, as well as conducting battlefield tours at Gettysburg and other historical sites, Petruzzi enjoys outdoor pursuits such as gardening, fishing, camping and traveling. He has also been a drummer on and off for 40 years, and enjoys playing many styles of music such as rock, folk, and country. J.D., Cindy and their two children and three dogs live in northwest Pennsylvania.