The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Killer Angels
Book Review: War is a scary and sometimes boring...
Summary: 2 Stars
I usually don't stray away from romance novels but this book was required to be read for a class. This book is about the Gettysburg 3 day war. Now war isn't exciting to me. Especially when all they talk about is their attack and how it will come out. The first part is about coming into the town and introducing the characters. Their are so many characters in the beginning. I couldn't keep up with them all. It was very boring...I really just wanted to yawn and fall asleep. I began to question why do we have to read this book. So, I got to the second part and it got a little more interesting but still all about the plan and attack. And there was so many directions in the book and maps. So, I really couldn't imagine the battle. The 3rd day is how the attack fails and they have to retreat. This book is like reading a history book instead the characters are talking in their point of view.
I really dislike this book. It's probably because there was no romance and it was just boring. Some parts were interesting but again some parts were not neccesary. I really have no interest for war and battle books. I reccommend this book for people who like history and war novels. But for a romance novel reader it is very boring. That's just my opinion.
Book Review: Wonderful work of historical fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
I can only echo the applause of previous reviewers.
An excellent balance of fact and fiction, this book carefully builds up to the Civil War battle of Gettysburg and carries the reader through the action on both sides. Kept me up late many nights.
I note that this war novel is told exclusively from the perspective of the generals and colonels (as opposed to, say, Leon Uris' Battle Cry, told by the privates and sergeants). The map illustrations of the battle situations were of great help in enjoying the book. I read from a cheap mm paperback edition - I would recommend obtaining a hardcover or trade size paperback, so as to get more legible maps.
I think I detected a slight bent by Shaara in favor of the South (he seems sypathetic to their cause and admires their culture). Justified? . . . I'm not sure. But it does not present a problem either way.
Just a tremendous read and one that I highly recommend.
Book Review: brilliant, engaging
Summary: 5 Stars
I cannot estimate how favorably hard-core Civil War buffs would receive this historical novel, but as someone with limited knowledge around historical context, battle strategies, major players, and sequence of events, this book has truly whet the appetite. The book is not packed full of technical details. Rather, it offers an engaging (but not exhaustive) description of events in the battle of Gettysburg, descriptions that are provided from the perspective of several major players (Lee, Longstreet, Chamberlain, Buford). It provides insight not simply into the chain of events that transpired, but also into the proclivities, thought processes, and characters of the Generals that played a major role in these events. The book focuses on the events over a 5-day period, June 29-July 3, 1863. Absolutely brilliant piece of work. I borrowed it from my brother--if/when I return it to him I will be buying a copy for myself.Book Review: great read
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great read!! I highly recommend it! It reads like a fiction. Shaara makes you feel like you are there with his first person narrative. I have passed the book around to several friends and they all agree that this book is fabulous!Book Review: killer angels
Summary: 4 Stars
an insightful novel based on day one and two of the battle of gettysburg, i prefer the more investigative adaptations from the confederate perspective. this does definitely give us a look at joshua chamberlain... 4.5 out of 5. rich ziegler