A retired high school history teacher, John Michael Priest has been interested in Civil War history since an early age. He is a graduate of Loyola College in Baltimore and Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, and has written extensively about the Civil War.
His many books include Antietam: The Soldiers’ Battle (1989); Before Antietam: The Battle for South Mountain (1992); Nowhere to Run: The Wilderness, May 4th & 5th, 1864 (1995); Victory Without Triumph: The Wilderness, May 6th & 7th, 1864 (1996); Into the Fight: Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg (1998), and "Stand to It and Give Them Hell." (The battle of July 2, 1863, from Cemetery Ridge to Little Round Top.) Praised by legendary historian Edwin C. Bearss as the “Ernie Pyle” of the Civil War soldier, Priest's, newest book, "Strong Men of the Regiment Sobbed Like Children," John Reynolds' I Corps at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, has been cited for its ability to place the reader on the ground with the soldiers of both armies.
All of J. Mike's games and War College events at Cold Wars 2025:
THURSDAY
- Thu 7pm: Chaos, Confusion, and Casualties
FRIDAY
- Fri 10am: Witnesses’ Accounts of Herbst Woods, July1, 1862: CW War College
- Fri 2pm: Chaos, Confusion, and Casualties
- Fri 8pm: Chaos, Confusion, and Casualties
SATURDAY
- Sat 10am: Daniel and Iverson attack on two fronts, July, 1, 1863: CW War College
- Sat 2pm: Chaos, Confusion, and Casualties
- Sat 8pm: Chaos, Confusion, and Casualties
Make sure you come by and meet this special guest, listen to his War College lectures, play in a game he is running and perhaps even pick up a copy of his latest book (see right).
