The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War by Michael Shaara Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.69 You Save: $4.30 (54%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War
Book Review: A great book and a great film
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a novel that I never would have expected to enjoy but I did. Shaara is a powerful writer in the sense that he effectively puts you inside the heads of the folks that made history at the battle of Gettysburg, especially Longstreet and Chamberlain. If you are interested in the Civil War but haven't done much reading on the subject this might be a good place to begin - the film, Gettysburg, that is based on this novel is also well worth your time.Book Review: A great book, and it's about more than just a battle
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished reading Killer Angels for about the third or fourth time. It's one of those books that you can reread every couple of years and still enjoy, time after time. In my view it is, word for word, one of the greatest historical novels out there. Shaara tells a fabulous story that draws the reader in, and yet he does it in relatively FEW words, which is truly a great accomplishmentAnd it's about more than just the battle of Gettysburg. Sharra creates great characters by fleshing out the key players as human beings, complete with flaws, hopes, and fears. There are also lessons for personal and professional life, too. I especially enjoyed Longstreet's "rant" to Fremantle (an English military officer observing the Confederate Army) on Lee's approach to "military strategy". (This excerpt can be found on pp. 250-251 of the paperback version.) A real world example of the need to keep things simple.
This is a book that I would unequivocally recommend to anyone and everyone.
Book Review: A great historical novel about the Battle of Gettysburg
Summary: 5 Stars
First published in 1974, I somehow avoided this book for more than a quarter of a century. What a mistake! Michael Shaara's book is the best historical novel I have read. Even though one knows the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg, you can't help racing through the book to find out the details, and to read about the thoughts and emotions of the key players, particularly Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and Joshua Chamberlain. There also are interesting glimpses of European observers, especially Arthur Fremantle of Britain (who is sure that the South will win). The descriptions of the three days of fighting are superb, but what I will remember best are the pages revealing the bitter emotions of Longstreet, who argues with Lee on strategy, advocating defensive tactics. Also very interesting are the sections on the role of the Confederate spy two days before the Battle, John Buford's stand in the town of Gettysburg on the first day, and J. E. B. Stuart's failure to tell Lee about Union Army movements. Above all, I will remember the senseless slaughter of brave men, fighting for their beliefs or just to stay alive. This is a beautifully written book, both illuminating and poetic in its descriptive passages and characterizations.Book Review: A great introduction to the Civil War
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has been reviewed by over 250 people, and the 5-star rating is well-deserved. I would add only that it's an excellent choice for 1) preparing for a trip to the area 2)getting young people or (forgive my stereotyping) women like myself who might otherwise claim to be uninterested in "war stuff" involved in the great storys of Gettysburg. A friend had his new British bride read it before a trip out, and she said it contributed immensely to her enjoyment. I'd been to Gettysburg myself, and was bored silly. I went back after viewing Ken Burns' "The Civil War" and reading "Killer Angels", and it was a far richer experience. Had to hike Little Round Top, envisioning scenes from the book the whole time.
Book Review: A great war novel by Michael Shaara
Summary: 5 Stars
Killer Angels by Michael Shaara:
There were many great generals in the Civil War. This book shows how the generals and there soldiers wound up in Gettysburg and the battles that were fought prior to the great one in Gettysburg. The book has chapters on the great Robert E. Lee to a hatted spy with valuable information. It shows how both sides were almost destroyed and how the Union won.
This book is a great war thriller. And what is even better is that it is a true story. Anyone who likes historical fiction, action or books about war will love this book.