The Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Last Full Measure
Book Review: Inexplicably made this a private review in 5 Stars
...and wanted to "fix" that.The original - A master work by the son of a master writer. Jeff Shaara could easily be an unknown, non-writer. We need to count our blessings as readers of historical fiction that he was convinced to pick up his father's work & continue.
Book Review: Jeff Shaara Measures Up
Summary: 5 Stars
The book The Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara vividly depicts the last two years of the Civil War. Describing the traits and decisions made by the three main characters Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Shaara presents a wonderful piece of writing telling all about the last battles of the Civil War. Shaara's writing is clear and delivered spiritedly with a professional command for detail and emotion. He accurately shows Lee's faith in God slowly crumble around him as he stubbornly believes God is with him. He shows Grant's dogged pursuit of the Confederates and his faith in his unfaltering provision lines rather than in an "All Powerful Being." Also Shaara depicts how a teacher, Chamberlain, could overcome his fears of battle and become the hero of the war. Feelings and beliefs make us into who we really are and Shaara portrays to us a vivid word image of just what makes up leading characters. Shaara has made a huge accomplishment in writing that separates this book from the other Civil War books that I have read, such as the Red Badge of Courage because he tells you what the characters are thinking and feeling, not just what they are doing. He has written a masterpiece that equalizes it with the best novels of the year.
Book Review: Last measure would allow the rule of law to pervail.
Summary: 5 Stars
The Civil War is one America's most saddest dramas and leaves one wondering why so many men had to die. General Lee would claim it was not for us to question why only that God's will has being manifested and followed. We can not dismiss the heroic feats of General Robert E Lee who was a symbol of courage, bravery, and heroic symbolism to his army. General Lee won many battles and force the union launch a serious sacrifice in men and resources to win. Eventually, Union master mind General Grant would implore an tactic of strangulation in the end the conflict. Fustrated by Lee's cleveriness a warfare tactic that would cut off the supply lines where needed. Lee used the railroad to move supplies. Lee wanted Johnston to flee Sherman and try to draw Grant's attention to Washington, but he didn't have the strength to succeed. Slowly the attritioned tightened around the weary General Lee leading to a chase and surrender at Appomattox.
General Lee on the other hand, followed advice from his revolutionary hero father of withdrawal deep into the interior with the intent of the withdrawal too deny the union their supply line resource. The confederate army was smaller, quicker, and more mobile than the union army.
It was Chamberlain the hero at five forks who said, "God would demand the last full measure of the men" to crush the rebellion. Chamberlain would join with Crawford and Griffin on the right flank of Pickett while Sheridan would hold the left flank; the causualities were enormous.
In order to increase Northern support of the campaign, Lincoln won a second election. Lincoln realized two critical factors were necessary to win the war 1. Improved technology, the big guns, and the seven shoot carbine 2. Political non-interference in the military campaigns.
President Davis of the Confederates drew political controversy and came under media attack. Isolated in Richmond more decision making power was transferred to General Lee. After surrender Davis was not hung for treason but managed to survived in Europe before returning to America to write out his memiors. Lincoln did not want to make Davis a Martyr.
White haired General Lee remained determined to continue the fight after Gettysburg. Suffering heart problems, cramps, and exhaustion, he managed to inflict heavy causualities on a force significantly more numereous. General Lee was considered a gentle man and he was a West Point engineer, fought in the Mexican war, and loved the state of Virginia. Ironically, Lee was offerred the opportunity to lead the Union army to fight the succeding states, at the time Virgina was not one of those. Lee declined knowing that Virgina would eventually join. Lee encouraged his officers and men to fight for God. General Lee was loved by his men. Once a soldier said, seeing General Lee was like seeing Christ, General Lee quickly told the man not to profane for their cause was so worthy. General Grant learned not to under estimate Lee ability to survive as time after time General Lee's tactics caught Grant by surprise. In 1863 Lee won victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, both in Virginia, and in 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia.
Grant would be selected by Abraham Lincoln to become Major General uniting all the Union under one commander. Lincoln said, "I have a great love of the constitution. It is the thing I live for, it is the reason I sit in this chair... If we allow this rebellion to succeed-if we do not hold those ideas together for our children-then we sink back to the dark ages. We might as well send the Queen of England an apology for all the trouble we caused, ask if they will take us back". Grant took the word seriously and faithfully carried out the responsiblity to crush the rebellion. Lincoln promised Grant he would not tell him how to run the army and he would deal with the political unrest in Washington.
The test of will between Grant and Lee would start in the Wilderness. Segwick, Warren, Burnside, Hancock would face off against Ewell, Pogue, Hill, and eventual Longstreet which would hit Hancock hard from the left flank. Hancock would be could in a V formation. 1864, Gordon Flank around Sedgwick near captured Grant. The rebels were putting up a good fight. General Lee knew he must protect Richmond from Grant. Davis was putting more pressure to withdraw to Richmond, but Lee knew the city offered no resource for the army to use. During the race to Spotsylvania Anderson and Stuart would arrive. Lee knew the fight would eventual end up at Petersburg. At the battle of Anna river Lee missed his opportunity to strike and isolate Hancock because Ewell was to causious as the Northern Anna River separate his union reinforcment from Burnside. Lee fumed over Ewell lack of initiative. Grant crosses the James River on route to Petersburg, Lee fails to destroy critical bridges. Gordon attempts an covert operation to get behind enemy lines at night but fails to have enough ammunition. Lee retreats to Amelia Court, the war is almost over. Lee's army was facing starvation and the officiers did have the fire within to continue resisting. The confederate army gets a supply of ammunition but not rations. The rations have been diverted to farmville. Grant is at farmville. The confederate army is starving. Grant request Lee consider surrendering, Lee is only in terms and the fight continues until they must surrender at appomattox. At Appomattox, Chamberlain saves Sheridan from collapsing before a rebel advance. Chamberlain realizes the confederate army is beaten, receive a surrender request from a confederate officer, and notifys Grant. Lincoln assasination would not give him to champion the healing of a nation. Last measure would allow the rule of law to pervail.
Book Review: Less Than a Full Measure
Summary: 3 Stars
I loved The Killer Angelsand didn't really care for the idea of the son adding to it with sequels and prequels and since then a whole series of historical fiction.
This book has far fewer characters and it is hard not to think that the views they express are tailored by history and 20-20 hindsight. With The Killer Angels, you really felt you were in the moment.
I wish I could have enjoyed it more, but I feel my time would probably have been better spent re-reading the Gettysburg classic.
Book Review: Life-like Conclusion to the Civil War
Summary: 5 Stars
Jeff Shaara follows in his father's footsteps ... big shoes to fill indeed! He does a highly admirable job of researching and writing about the heroes, both North and South, who fought during the last two years of the Civil War. This book provides the reader a ring-side seat to key battles and positions, as each side fights to their last full measure of strength. The reader is provided personal information about the lives of the major players: General Robert E. Lee, General Ulysses S. Grant, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. We get inside the hearts and minds of these soldiers and although fiction it rings true to life. Historical fiction is a marvelous method to learn about detailed and important battles which became turning points in this most fundamental war in the history of the United States.
Most impressive descriptions are provided as General Robert E. Lee struggles in his heart and soul to send his valorous troops against the much better equipped Northern soldiers. We learn how strategy and insight gave the South advantages over technology and numbers, in the beginning. We learn that after Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was given command of the North, the tides turned ... and the reasons why. Maps are provided which give proper visualization to the word descriptions of strategic locations and key battles. Divided into four parts, the prolog to each section uses the words of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address very effectively. Each section includes descriptions of a wide range of events, thorough analysis, and human emotions for the years of the war and post war events that it covers.
The book goes beyond the war to include descriptons of when President Lincoln is shot. It concludes with an afterward that gives a wonderful summary of the post-war lives of major participants both Blue and the Gray. Reading this book was truly an eye-opening experience, filled with illuminating moments and unforgettable real people. It leaves the reader hungry to read more about the subject It compelled me to buy more books by this author - for example, "Gone for Soldiers" (the Mexican War) and "Rise to Rebellion" (the American Revolutionary War). Erika Borsos (erikab93)