Gods and Generals: A Novel
by Jeff Shaara
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jeff ShaaraEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1997-05-13
ISBN: 0345409574
Number of pages: 512
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Reviews of Gods and Generals: A Novel
Book Review: A good historical rendition of the actual events
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read many histories of the events comprising this fine historic novel, including works by Bruce Catton, Shelby Foote, James McPherson as well as by lesser known authors. I am satisfied that Mr. Shaara, through fiction, gave an accurate overview of the broader historical events. Indeed, he did not overdramatize, but rather at times understated the dramatic unfolding of events. For example, during the battle of Chancellorville, General Darius Couch was stunned when his commander, General Hooker ordered him to withdraw from his position when he seemed to have the upper hand. The novel covers this well but Foote's history dramatizes Couch's disbelieving reaction even more. Additionally, both Catton and Foote have dramatized the Union troops reaction to Jackson's surprise attack more than Shaara does. This slight understating by Shaara is good because the history of the war makes for exciting reading. Shaara. therefore, created a page turner by masterfully blending in the actual page turning events without resorting to historically inaccurate hyperbole. The events are not really fictionalized. The fiction is the conversations and thought processes of the characters. However, the events are historical fact. A good work of historical fiction is not a bad sid to learning history and this book is great in this regard. The fiction helps to humanize the central figures. It is not always clear how accurate the details of the central characters' personalities are, but Shaara gets the reader emotionally involved. We almost get to know Lee, jackson, Couch, Hancock et al. The book also includes Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain as a key figure but, this was probably done more as a prelude to the next volume, "The Killer Angles." in which Chamberlain's heroics at Gettysburgh are legion. His father's "The Killer Angels" is a modern classic and he has done the family name proud with this great effort. The Killer Angels was made into a fabulous movie and I think this book is adaptable to the silver screen too. I highly recommend this wonderful novel.
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