Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Gods and Generals
Book Review: Another great book from this family
Summary: 4 Stars
Once again, the Shaara family gives us some insights into those that had such an important impact on this country's Civil War. The operations described in this book are less well known as that at Gettysburg and, for this reason, perhaps more interesting. I particularly enjoyed learning how a river crossing was accomplished during this time period. However, like his father, the real treat in this book is getting to know the participants of these historical events. While this book does not fully recapture the living nature of the characters as did "The Killer Angels," that is more due to the brilliance of that work as opposed to any shortcoming in this book. I can certainly recommend this book especially to those that would like to learn more about the Civil War in a way other than simply reviewing dry facts and figures.Book Review: Anticipating more, I found less
Summary: 1 Stars
I have to admit, I was very excited when I heard that this book was coming out. I thoroughly enjoyed Killer Angels for its approach, it's very well written prose, and its conciseness. I was sure that Jeff Shaara would have some difficulty following in this style. What I found was worse. It is a very difficult book to begin reading, and after several chapters I put it down for good. I found the writing style virtually unreadable and found myself re-reading lines to see if I was missing something. I always finish books...but this is one exception.Book Review: Are you a God or a General?
Summary: 5 Stars
Gods and Generals is a fantastic book. To really understand this book you must know a little about the civil war. The way that Jeff Shaara portrays these characters is interesting. The movie is somewhat like the book. The book is much more in depth, and really gives you the feeling of what things were like. What is really interesting about Jeff Shaara's writing style is that he will have on chapter about what General Lee is doing, and then the next chapter will be about what General Hancock is doing, so he tells both side of the spectrum. Something that is really helpful is in the intro, Shaara tells about each General portrayed in the book. It gives you somewhat of an Idea of what the Generals where like. As much as I like this book it isn't for everyone. If you appreciate history this is for you.Book Review: Astounding prequel to father's Killer Angels!
Summary: 5 Stars
My first love is Scottish History, but since I was raised on both sides of the pond, I grew to have a great love for the complexities of the War Between the States in the US. So, it was great pleasure I read this book.Shaara, in this case Jeff, the son of Michael, had a hard act to follow. His father was the author of Pulitzer Prize Winning Killer Angels (1974). Killer Angels looked at the high watermark of the Confederacy which ended with the battle of Gettysburg. That was the single most important event of the whole War Between the States, in a war that shaped the United States. It gave such insight, such reality into the horror, the glory, the humanity and inhumanity of war, of Generals Lee, Hancock, Pickett and Chamberlain. Shaara's words brought alive the battle and made you feel it all, the anticipation, the frustration, the fear and the anger.
In Gods and Generals, Jeff picks up his father's pen and gives you another masterpiece. Though father and son, both have a different writing voices. Jeff picks up the threads of what happened before Gettysburg, a prequel to his father's award winning novel, giving you insight into the men facing what would be their hardest trial. He again centres on the driven Lee, the bumbling Chamberlain, the dashing Hancock, but we also see Jackson, the man who could march his men 40 miles in a day and then fight a battle, one of the most efficient Generals of the whole war on either side, yet overwhelming a religious man. What interested me most, was his portrait of Lee, his dedication to the Confederacy winning and yet the pain of being torn by his loyalty to the Union army he once served and likely of which he would have been General had he not resigned his commission.
A tour de force for a first time writer.
Book Review: Awesome
Summary: 5 Stars
It's been years since a book has captured my imagination as completely as this one did. Once I made it through the introductory chapters, the storyline swept me forward and kept me enthralled for the duration. Being a bit of a history buff and a big fan of Ken Burns' PBS documentary "The Civil War," I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the events of the war. Now I realize I was missing the essence of the worst human drama in American history: the human beings themselves. Jeff Shaara takes you inside the minds and hearts of the men who led the great armies to learn about their motives, shortcomings and conflicts. What's more, he does it in a way that is totally believable and satisfying. This is an outstanding historical novel.