The Killer Angels

Rating:
Summary: Whose Theology is at work here?
Review: This is a fascinating book to get beyond the tactics of Gettysburg into the hearts and souls of the generals. But I find myself wondering, whose soul is really being revealed? The generals', or the author's? It struck me that the number of times the generals express their doubts or disbelief in God reflects more of the author than the generals. This seems too much of a modern idea projected into the novel than I have generally understood was common to that era. Such is the territory I suppose of the historical novel as opposed to biography or non-fiction narrative.

Rating:
Summary: Written in such a manner as to enthrall the non-history buff
Review: I read this book at the insistence of my history buff husband. It was riveting. It paints a vivid picture of the humanity, or rather, the inhumanity of war. After reading the book, I rented the movie. Please, if you have seen the movie, read the book. Do not judge this book by Martin Sheehan's wooden performance as Robert E. Lee, which I found painful to watch. The book gives much more depth to the character of this great, but flawed, general. The book brought the Civil War so alive that we are planning a visit to Gettysburg. I am now reading "Of Gods and Generals".

Rating:
Summary: The book was the the best one I have ever read.
Review: I absolutly adored the book i cried over it, but it was amazing. I felt as if i was there and i knew the characters as if they were friends.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Visitors' to the Gettysburg Battlefield!
Review: I found this book truly insightful regarding the "players" in the Battle of Gettysburg. Understanding the combatants different views was an important part of understanding the battle and the book opened a window to this understanding. It was a gentleman's war fought by friends against friends and Shaara took us inside the Confederate Generals' tents and into the headquarters of the Union. His description of General Pickett's Confederate troops preparing for their ill fated charge brings a chill up your spine. An excellent start for anyone interested in learning more about the war that shaped our country like no other! I give it 5 stars without any hesitation.

Rating:
Summary: Boring, but with a touching ending.
Review: This book starts off boring, with long spaces between the battles. I only read about a third of the first 200 pages. Once the battle starts, however, you gain insight to the generals' thoughts. You learn that they have feelings, and experience emotion quite often. Some people think that grown men do not struggle with the deaths of their friends, or that they are uninterested in others' lives. This staement is proven wrong with the raw emotion present in this book. This book is more about the pain and jubilation when losing of winning a battle, not the historican aspects. This book is a great read, but not unless you have to or really want to readit. I wouldn't recomend it for children or most young adults.

Rating:
Summary: A True Classic on Men and War
Review: The author's ability to let the reader see many true aspects of the American Civil War through the eyes of the main characters sets this work apart from many of the similar works published today. The author rightfully shatters some of the falsehoods created by the original "Lost Cause" advicates of the post Civil War South. He has done so through his apparent exhaustive research into the reality of that war and true nature of some of its' "idols." That he was able to bring this about through a work of fiction speaks highly of his work and himself as an individual. It is a shame that he is no longer with us.

Rating:
Summary: This book was truely compelling!!!!
Review: I am only 12 years old but I felt like I was on the battlefield the whole time. I read this book in two days and thought of nothing else. I just ordered teh other two books by his son. I know they will be very good also!!

Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: Those who criticize this book should try and write such clear genuine prose. Every sentence is a masterpiece. The story grips you as Shaara invades the minds of the generals on both sides of the conflict. Truly, one of the best American novels ever written. Let every aspiring writer attempt to emulate Shaara's style.

Rating:
Summary: Good book... if you are up to it
Review: I must admit, even though it was not my favorite, for any one likes the civil war and gettysburg read this.owever you must be ready. This is a very long book and does not spare us any details. But still, it is well written and pulitzer worthy

Rating:
Summary: I WISH I COULD GIVE THIS ZERO STARS
Review: I guess it's not really Michael Shaara's fault that "good Civil War Novel" is an oxymoron; but it doesn't make up for the fact that he can't write. This is the worst book I've read all year (except for Cannery Row--you can see my review of that, too), and if you read it and like it you are mentally ill. I'm sorry. (Okay, no, I'm not.) The worst thing about this book and the circumstances surrounding it is that Shaara's son, Jeff, who grew up hating his father (who drank himself to death), then took advantage of his father's success with Killer Angels and wrote The Last Full Measure and Gods and Generals--sequel and prequel (not necessarily respectively). CARPETBAGGER!! (No pun intended.)