The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $14.45 You Save: $11.50 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $12.94 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Killer Angels
Book Review: Great book but definitely fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very engrossing read. I read it in three long sessions and couldn't put it down. The interesting aspect to me is that there is very little in the way of action until the book is two thirds over. The author keeps the pace moving with great descriptive narrative. This is combined with fictional but historically based dialogue and characterizations of historical figures. The overall presentation of the divergent points of view of several of the important officers in charge of the conflict is enlightening at some points. There aren't heroes or protaganists, only real men who are driven by their cause and their belief in divine providence, but still plagued with self-doubt.
I felt that, to a minor extent, the author glossed over and under-emphasized the hideous cost of the Battle of Gettysburg. I had read in the past that this was the biggest and bloodiest battle ever fought in the western hemisphere and throughout the three days and nights there were so many wounded men lying on the hills and fields that the air was permeated with grotesque sounds of human suffering and the creeks ran in blood. The author certainly does portray the confusion and horror of two of the major engagements but, at the same time, the main character's seem detached from the hideous nature of war.
I'm not sure whether the author was glorifying the battle, I think rather the author was trying to delve into the individual psyches of the men who were the real heroes and goats, the leaders who ordered men to their deaths. A certain amount of detachment must be necessary, one would assume, in order to send men to their deaths. Perhaps the biggest detached "goat" was General Lee who believed his army was invincible. The author does a good job protraying Lee's human side in the aftermath of the disasterous assault on the Union position during the third day of battle, Pickett's Charge. In a fleeting moment of weakness he's ready to hand over his sword to Longstreet, who doesn't want it. Longstreet secretly holds Lee accountable for losing the battle, the turning point of the war, an opinion for which he is later shunned in the south. The novel ends with the retreat of the Rebel Army, mortally wounded, limping back to Virginia towards inevitable defeat. Its leaders now resigned to their fates.
By all means, if you like historical fiction, pick this up. The characterizations of the major players including Lee, Longstreet, and Chamberlain are skillfully crafted. The author sets the events in motion from the first day of the battle with very little background and the story is very believable, coherent, and well researched. I can't say I am going to turn into a Civil War nut but if you were to read only one book to get a feeling for what the US Civil War was all about, read this one.
Book Review: Gettysburg reading at its finest
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent book, very well written. Shaara brings you right into the hearts and minds of the major players of the book. You get a great understanding of the Battle of Gettysburg, the leaders, and what affected their decisions. For Civil War enthusiasts, or even those with a casual interest, this is a MUST read. Book Review: Audible unabridged version is fantastic
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Killer Angels" is to Civil War biographies and histories as dessert is to dinner. It's easy to digest and a sheer pleasure. Shaara brings two-dimensional historical characters to life. While technically fiction, the text is very loyal to the historical facts. I took on Killer Angels while in middle of Shelby Foote's trilogy, and Shaara did not appear to deviate from anything in Foote's "Stars in their Courses" account.
This is excellent writing that can be enjoyed by anyone, but those familiar with Gettysburg will have the advantage of context. Also, Civil War readers will enjoy characters that they've long read about coming to life in these pages, particularly Lee, Longstreet, and Pickett.
I was first exposed to the Killer Angels book ten years ago and of course saw the movie when it came out. This time, I listened to the unabridged Audible audio version. Stephen Hoye was excellent, mastering the (many!) accents as well as the moment.
Book Review: The Little Round Top and Pickett's Charge
Summary: 5 Stars
Sometimes, I work backwards. In this instance, I, once again, saw the movie before reading the book. As pleased as I was with the film adaptation, director Ronald Maxwell's "Gettysburg," I was doubly impressed with the source novel "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara.
This was easily the finest piece of historical fiction that I have ever read. The author really did his homework. Many of the military commands and speeches contained in the book are supported by the historical record.
The novel is so clearly written that the motion picture screenplay adaptation simply repeated large portions of the book verbatim. That in itself is a rare accomplishment since Hollywood typically eviscerates good books when scripts are being adapted.
The details of the three day battle at Gettysburg are accurately portrayed and readers can gain valuable insights into the character of the principals, Lee, Longstreet, Pickett, Armistead, Hancock, Buford, Chamberlain and so many others. Shaara also provides one with an understanding of how armies take the field, march great distances, struggle to secure control of favorable terrain, scout enemy movements and try to decipher ambiguous data before committing to battle.
This is truly an outstanding book which richly deserves all of the praise that it has received. I read this book more than a decade and a half ago and I have not forgotten it.
Book Review: If you have the slightest interest in the Civil War, don't fail to read the late Michael Shaara's book "The Killer Angels"
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have the slightest interest in the Civil War, don't fail to read the late Michael Shaara's book "The Killer Angels". It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1974.
For some reason this book had never crossed my path. It wasn't until Father's Day this year that I was even aware of its existence. My 27 year old son gave me a DVD that had both Gods and Generals and Gettysburg on it. In reading the jacket of the DVD I saw the movie was based on this book. After watching the movie, I headed off to the library. I was not disappointed.
This volume shows both the courage and determination of the Union and Confederate soldiers. It examines the story from both viewpoints. You are told the story through the key leadership of the battle. You will read about Robert E. Lee. You will learn what his decisions were based on. You will see why he was so beloved by his army. The book allows you to be present as Lee struggles with decision after decision from his headquarters. You can feel the frustration of Longstreet as he tries to convince Lee that defense is a better choice. You will get a picture of the flamboyant Pickett. You will feel Lee's and Longstreet's frustration with J.E.B. Stuart. I met a new hero in the book - Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin as I read about the 20th Maine Regiment and Chamberlain who with a bayonet charge on Little Big Top held the end of the Union line. Another new hero I encountered was General John Buford. You will experience his anguish as he decides to engage Rebel forces. He knows that he was seriously outnumbered. He is determined to save the only high ground in the area.
I was emotionally involved in the book from the beginning to the end. This is the book that blurs the line between historical fiction and creative non-fiction. It is simply great reading. While the movie was good, the book is great. Michael Shaara had the vision, did the research, and wrote one of the best books ever. Thank you!