The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Killer Angels
Book Review: surprising review
Summary: 5 Stars
Many years ago I entered my favorite Chicago bookstore, Abraham Lincoln Bookstore, shocked to find a large display of a new book The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. My personal grudge against Mike Shaara goes back to 1964 when we were both at Florida State University. What is my reason for relating all this? If I can change my attitude toward the author, anyone can give him a second chance. It still hurts me to give five stars to this work. But the following reasons make it necessary:
1. The book is very well written. Mike had many choices how to work the story. I probably would have made it unreadable by including too many characters. Mead was barely mentioned. John Hood could have been played up more considering his importance later in the war, but it didn't belong in this work.
2. I disagree with not only Mike but many professional historians that the Battle of Gettysburg is overrated. Considering this I'm surprised at how well the author related this story. I have no problem with the historic content of this book or the later movie.
3. The characterization in the book and the movie is superb. This is fiction, but excellently done fiction. If I had not been curious about this work I probably would never have picked it up. I am glad I did read it and even glad I saw the movie.
Book Review: wonderful read-aloud to young sons
Summary: 5 Stars
I started reading The Killer Angels to my 9-year-old son, and after a few pages he was hooked, not just on the story, not just on the Battle of Gettysburg, but on the entire Civil War.
After we finished reading it (he didn't seem to mind my Southern, Maine, and Irish accents), we watched the 1993 movie Gettysburg. We've also been watching the Ken Burns Civil War series for PBS. I've caught my son doing reading on his own of the various battles, including from my West Point battlefield atlas.
We've moved on to the sequel, The Last Full Measure, which doesn't seem quite to measure up but has introduced my son to Grant, whom he likes very much.
The Killer Angels is potentially life-changing. I may have a budding historian on my hands.