Killer Angels
by Michael Shaara
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Book Reviews of Killer Angels
Book Review: Even if you know the Battle of Gettysburg, read this
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not a Civil War buff, preferring my military history more current, but I read Killer Angels because so many friends recommended it. Now, I'm going to read everything Michael Shaara and his son Jeff (another historic fiction novelist) have written. The author approaches the Battle of Gettysburg from the human side. He touches on causes, but only as the soldiers would experience them. One Union soldier laments that if the South wins, he will no longer be able to visit the great fishing holes he enjoys in what would become a new and separate nation if the South wins.
The youthful soldiers on both sides, the battles they endure without enough food or supplies, the repercussions of a volunteer army--boys and men volunteered alongside others from their own state--makes for greater drama than any military fiction. No one was conscripted. The fear many felt because they weren't warriors, weren't trained in battle, just common people drawn into the cause of their side. Killer Angels doesn't replace the typical historic account of Gettysburg. It enhances it by adding the human layer, likely the most important in any battle. Even 150 years ago, the military taught its grunts to fight for the guy next to them in the foxhole, not some cause their government espoused.
In the end, my heart was saddened for the losers, for the death of their dreams and the loss of their innocence. I never did decide which side Shaara considered to be the Killer Angels.(
Book Review: Pivotal Three Days.
Summary: 5 Stars
I was always interested in Americas' Civil War and had read some excellent books on the subject such as "A Brotherhood of Valor", "Through Blood and Fire at Gettysburg", "Battle Cry of Freedom" but "The Killer Angels" is a very special one.
Late Michael Shaara has performed an excellent research on private papers of this battle protagonist. Based on this material he produce a griping story, presenting the men that march to the tragic encounter, with their ideals, memories, sorrows, doubts & hopes.
He follows Generals Lee and Longstreet, Colonel Chamberlain amongst others, penetrating their most intimate thoughts in a way the reader can't avoid wondering how this is possible.
Mr. Shaara does not pick sides, he presents the reader with the confronting "Cause", which every man into the field believes to be just, and for which is willing to shed his blood. The valor and self sacrifice these men deploy, is reflected in each page of this incredible good book.
Enough maps are shown enabling the reader to follow the displacement of the armies in the field.
For the readers interested in this matter, Michael's son, Jeff, has written "Gods & Generals" and "The Last Full Measure" telling the events preceding and following this crucial struggle.
A great stuff to be read by history buffs or casual readers. Enjoy!!!.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
Book Review: A nearly perfect novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Michale Shaara didn't write many books in his life. He wrote "The Broken Place" which is a very good novel about war and boxing. He wrote "For the Love of the Game" which is one of the all time great baseball books (made into an overly-sentimental, but still wonderful movie starring Kevin Costner), and a few other minor works. But above all he wrote "The Killer Angels", which I sometimes think is the best novel written by an American in the 20th Century. That can be argued, of course, but what is undeniably true is that "The Killer Angels" is a nearly perfect novel. Gripping, poetic, intelligent, amazingly generous to all of its large cast -- glorious and heartbreaking. I've read it three times and read parts of it much more often. Just the Forward, where Shaara describes the armies and sets the characters in their historical context is a beautiful piece of writing. The final description of Picket's Charge and the meeting of old friends at the top of Cemetery Ridge is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.Book Review: A tragic but pivotal episode in American history
Summary: 5 Stars
This book provides insight into the psyche of the leadership of both armies - north and south. The soldier's faith in leadership, or lack of it, is brilliantly portrayed in discourse. I think the title is appropriate. Trusting in God's will, especially by General Lee, appeared to be self-serving. The needless slaughter of humans is exemplified in the battle at Gettysburg.
It is an historic masterpiece.
Book Review: A great read
Summary: 5 Stars
So many books on the civil war are "we went here then we marched over there and it rained" The Killer Angels fleshes out the characters and lets you share the weariness of the march and the agony of difficult decisions, The characters became 3 dimensional, one of the few "Great Reads"