Looking for some recommendations on books specifically covering the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War. Anyone have a recommendation or three?
Stephen Sears has a pretty good book on the campaign.
He has done some other excellent battle study books on Antietam and Chancellorsville that come to mind.
A good, thoughtful writer, if you don't know very much about the campaign, his book would be a good one to start with.
Having said that, since this was RE Lee's move into the big stage, there are tons of books out there on Lee, which cover the peninsula. (Be careful of the older books, many are motivated by hero worship of Lee, or romanticise the Army of Northern Virginia. More recent works usually are more even handed.)
The first book of Bruce Cattons 'Army of the Potomac' trilogy covers it quite well if I remember. Also quite a bit in Battles and Leaders, which for me, is one of the best set of ACW books since much of the content is provided by participants.
The Stephen Spears book is good. It's hard to go wrong with Spears, in my opinion.