 | Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com | This novel reveals more about the Battle of Gettysburg than any piece of learned nonfiction on the same subject. Michael Shaara's account of the three most important days of the Civil War features deft characterizations of all of the main actors, including Lee, Longstreet, Pickett, Buford, and Hancock. The most inspiring figure in the book, however, is Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, whose 20th Maine regiment of volunteers held the Union's left flank on the second day of the battle. This unit's bravery at Little Round Top helped turned the tide of the war against the rebels. There are also plenty of maps, which convey a complete sense of what happened July 1-3, 1863. Reading about the past is rarely so much fun as on these pages. |
Average Customer Rating:   Men of Honor The main characters in this book come alive. As I turned the pages it's as if I could feel the sun beating down on my back in those July days of 1863. I sensed the fear the soldiers must have had as they contemplated the charge that ended the battle. I felt the fatique of Robert E Lee, the humble courage of Joshua Chamberlain, and the pain of Armistead as he lay there dying, thinking of his old friend. If you are wondering about what it felt like to be at Gettysburg, read this book. A must read for every American. My highest recommendation. This story needs to be known by all Americans, and it is written in a captivating way. Superb. Climatic battle of the Civil War The Killer Angels portrays the principal players of the climatic battle of the Civil War. Each of the participants has his own story to tell. For the Confederate leaders the war became a struggle between love of country and love of state, family and traditions. The Union leaders were less dogmatic and most insisted the war was not about slavery. The portrayal of Robert E. Lee is riveting. Michael Shaara has humanized and personalized the pivotal battle at Gettysburg. The Killer Angels: Sobering Title: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Pages: 355.
Time spent on the "to read" shelf: 2 or 3 years, I think.
Days spent reading it: 4 days.
Why I read it: In High School we were allowed to choose between The Killer Angels and All Quiet on the Western Front. I thought I was smart back then, saw that The Killer Angels was about 350 pages, but All Quiet was about 150 (I don't remember exactly). I chose the shorter book. Today I read the longer book.
Brief review: As I finished this book tonight, I was stunned. I was truly moved by the final chapters of The Killer Angels.
The novel is historical fiction based as closely to the real details of Gettysburg as the author could create. Shaara draws you into the time period, the characters, and the battle as if you were right there in 1863. Simply incredible.
There are a number of things that I liked about this novel. First, it was well written. From the first page on, the reader is drawn into the world of the officers and soldiers who met their fate at Gettysburg.
Second, the characters are well drawn out. Robert E. Lee comes to life on these pages. So do Longstreet, Picket, Chamberlain, and a host of others involved in this historic battle.
Third, Shaara writes about the complexity of "the Cause" of the Civil War. The fact is it was not just about slavery, but slavery was a major factor. The cause is complicated, both sides have different reasons for fighting. Sometimes people on the same side have vastly different reasons for fighting. Very fascinating look at the complexity of a war that we sometimes boil down to being just about slavery.
Finally, I love the humanity of this book. As Longstreet is forced to send thousands to their deaths, he literally seems to fall apart at the orders he must make. My english teachers from High School used to tell me "War is Hell." It seems that most books with war as their central theme talk about the hellish nature of war. This book paints that same picture, but it does it looking through the eyes of men who have been forced to make the decision to send men to their deaths. I cannot imagine what anguish their souls must have gone through after making those kinds of decisions.
Two quick personal notes of interest. First, in the book they mention that some soldiers would not actually fire against the opposing army. I saw a piece of a program that reported that some rifles had been found that had 20 or more rounds inside of them from soldiers who pretended to load and fire, but never did. That is completely fascinating to read about and to consider what kind of people were fighting and who they were forced to fight.
Second, I visited Gettysburg years ago during a spring break trip. All I remember is that it was cold and windy. I recall being on Cemetery Hill where Picket made his last charge. I wish I had known more about the battle when I was there. Perhaps I will be able to go back again someday and appreciate the battle site more than I did.
The scope of Gettysburg simply baffles me. But The Killer Angels paints a clear picture of the battle, the decisions that were made, and the military ramifications. The Killer Angels is a mandatory read for Civil War buffs. It is a worthy read for people interested in historical fiction, war in all of its complexity, and for Americans who want to learn more about their heritage.
Favorite quote: "A little eccentricity is a help to a general. It helps with the newspapers. The women love it too. Southern women like their men religious and a little mad. That's why they always fall in love with preachers."
Stars: 5 out of 5.
Final Word: Sobering. Classic Novel Must Reading There aren't too many books, especially a novel, that I would consider must reading. But this novel based largely on facts, gives you a great insight to the Civil War, war in general and the impact on those who have fought.
In my day, Red Badge of Courage was required reading. It was "slow moving". This book is fast. The author takes some liberty with what the characters are saying, but other times, these words are quotes from those who were there. Shaara includes a forward as well as epilogue to help the reader understand the background and history of the Battle of Gettysburg. Killer Angels should be required reading to help anyone understand why brothers will fight to the death, the cause and affect of the Civil War and those who led the North and South. This novel rounds out the two dimensional images we have of the Generals Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and many others.
Authors who can show you characters with full ranges of emotion: fear, elation, courage, cowardice, honor, pride, and shame to name a few are very rare. Shaara hits the tone just right and you can feel what these men must have felt on those hot July days in a small town in Pennsylvania. This was an epic battle, this book covers the facts and emotions beautifully.
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