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Summary: If You Think History is Dry...Buy This Book!
Review: I was never interested in reading about the Civil War until I read Killer Angels. That book changed everything. All three books of this Shaara father-son Civil War trilogy are tremendous, and Last Full Measure is the best of the three. (I suggest reading them in order...in fact, read Gone for Soldiers first to experience how these future foes fought together as young officers in Mexico.) Perhaps it was Shaara's maturing as a writer, or just the nature of the latter half of the war, but this book is simply awesome. Shaara puts you right in the room with Grant and Lincoln as they discuss the progress of the war. You feel Lee's troubled thoughts as Grant's juggernaut bears down on his valiant but doomed army, and share his angst at losing many of his best generals. I'm looking forward to reading Shaara's Revolutionary War books next (another topic I never had much interest in, but I know Shaara will change that, too).
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Summary: great story to end the series
Review: this book was a great follow up to the civil war series it wasn't as good as the Killer Angels but it was better then God's and Generals and it should make for a good movie
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Summary: Great finale...hated for it to end!
Review: The Last Full Measure was aptly named for the great story it told of the last agonizing months of the Civil War. Jeff Shaara's writing ability shows more development here than in Gods and Generals. His respect for historical accuracy and for the characters he portrays is evident throughout. I recommend the trilogy highly as one of the best I've ever read. I so hated for this to end that I traveled even further back in time to read of Lee in his Mexican War days (Gone for Soldiers) by the same author. If you want to learn history and enjoy it more than you thought possible, this is a wonderful way to do it!
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Summary: Last measure would allow the rule of law to pervail.
Review: 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.
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Summary: Pretty good, but Shaara needs to learn how to use pronouns
Review: The Last Full measure is the story of the end of the civil war (post-Gettysburg). The book mainly focuses on Lee, Grant, and Joshua Chamberlin. The book definetly gets you into the civil war, but not as much as The Killer Angels. The Last Full Measure is definetly not as good as the Killer Angels, but then again, the Killer Angels won the pulitzer prize. My main criticism of the book is Jeff Shaara's style of writing. It drives me crazy. He doesn't know how to use pronouns. Here is a good example: "He looked around, saw his horse, held by a groom, began to move that way, stopped, said to Porter...". Eventually, I got used to the way he wrote. I'd reccommend buying this book. It's a good read and it seems to be, from my knowledge of the civil war, to be very accurate.
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Summary: Good end to the series
Review: For anybody who has read the first two books in this series this book wraps up the series beautifully. While this book does stand on its own and you do not have to read the previous two, I highly reccomend it. The battle scenes are well illustrated by the author as well as the horror lee must have felt of not being able to feed his troops. I think the best thing in this book is the choice the author made on the characters to center them on: Lee, Grant and Chamberlin. I highly reccomend this book as well as the whole series (Gods and Generals, The Killer Angels & The Last Full Measure) to anybody even if you are not a huge fan of historical fiction.
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Summary: SUPER HISTORY BOOK!!!!!!!
Review: "The Last Full Measure" is THE best history book I have ever read. It captivated me from the beginning to end, each page more interesting than the next. I especially like how the author showed the inside view of the battle from the leaders standpoints. And how they planned their battles with such care and precision. It was fascinating to read about all these famous historical leaders and follow them on their path to defeat or victory. This book never got boring or dull, it is much better than other historical novels that I have read and am looking forward to reading more of Jeff Shaara's other novels. Jeff Shaara has made a truly compelling novel, which captures the Civil War's tragedy perfectly.
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Summary: The Last Full Measure
Review: The Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara is a great historical novel describing the horific details of the last few years of the Civil War. Shaara helps make this book great, because he does not pound the Confederate side into the ground, and make the soldiers sound worse than they were, but presents both sides of the story in a clear and understandable manner. Shaara also does not tell the story as just one character, but switces between several. This allows the reader to understand both sides of the conflict, and alows Shaara to describe to parrallel events. Shaara adds the finishing touch to his novel by using many of the literary elements to make the novel more describtive and enjoyable. After reading this book, I felt that I understood the hardships that the "rebels" had gone through to try and get what they believed in. This is a extremely well written book, and a necessary read.
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Summary: One of the Best
Review: If you're looking for the most fun you can have reading a book about the civil war, this is it. Beautifully written, this book follows mostly three men, General Robert E. Lee (C.S.A.), General Ulysses S. Grant (U.S.A), and Colonel/General Joshua Chamberlain (U.S.A.). Beginning right after the Battle of Gettysburg, this book continues until the confederate surrender. Dancing around each other for about the first 100 pages of the book with out a large battle, the two armies first square off at the Battles of the Wilderness. In about the worst battle conditions possible, short skirmishes up to large battles occur in those terrible conditions. Throughout the entire book, it is as much of a battle between the United States and the Confederate States as it is between General Lee and General Grant. In my opinion, Lee is the better commander, however not by much because both are geniuses. The first major mistake by either of these wonderful commanders is at Cold Harbor, in which Grant's plan results in mass casualties for the Union. Still chasing the Confederates, Grant eventually backs them up into their own defenses at Petersburg. Chamberlain is key leading a charge which in my opinion is the cause for victory at the Battle of Petersburg. Ultimately wearing down Lee, this book ends at the battle and surrender at Appotamax. Overall, this book is hands down the most fun you can have with an educational book.
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Summary: Worthy Conclusion to Epic CIVIL WAR TRILOGY
Review: Jeff Shaara's THE LAST FULL MEASURE is a fine thoughtful conclusion to the trilogy begun by his father, Michael in THE KILLER ANGELS.The panoramic story commences with Lee's retreat from Gettysburg and first major confrontation with General Grant in The Battle of the Widerness(May 4, 1864).Federal Forces suffer loss of 17,000 men. Carnage continues; within a month The Army of the Potomac suffers staggering loss of 60,000 soldiers leading to another massacre of Union troops at Cold Harbor(June 2,1864)where 7000 more of Grant's men are killed in 20 minutes. Grant does not retreat. He continues to probe with flanking
movements South leading to attack on Petersburg which ultimately devolves into brutal trench warfare. General Grant is averred to have said, "Our Cat has the longer tail!" despite incredible loss of 60% of his army: WAR OF ATTRITION is relentless,inexorable strategy. It will be combined with General Sherman's deadly "Total War".Once Lee realizes these men are implacable, the dance of death to encirclement at The Five Forks (near Appomattox)and final surrender is inevitable. Shaara focuses on Lee;Grant;(again)Joshua Chamberlain; Sherman, and his equally ruthless cavalry officer,General Sheridan to provide characterizing insights that make THE CIVIL WAR TRILOGY peerless. Lee is the great tactician who believes God will ultimately deliver him and his army victory. Grant...unlike Federal Commanders who preceeded him...knows--as an engineer calculates--The South cannot withstand Northern Resources if he is willing to shed blood of onslaught. Sherman and Sheridan are portrayed as Grant's merciless instruments. The final chapter, however,goes to Joshua Chamberlain; hero of Little Round Top at Gettsyburg and preeminent of Michael Shaara's Killer Angels. "War is...a test of character;it makes bad men worse and good men better."(p.550)The Civil War has remained ultimate test of these United States...now THIS UNITED STATES'character. The Shaara's have presented a magnificently human depiction of the most important conflict in American history and indisputably crucial wars in The Western Tradition. Its consequences continue to shape our nation and polities of the world. Novus Ordo Seclorum,"a New Order of the Ages" was terribly tested. THE LAST FULL MEASURE, a worthy conclusion to a unique historical,literary epic offers serious readers of all political and moral sensibilities to acknowledge...bear witness vicariously...the notions and actions of duty, honor and heroism that have made the United States the freest and greatest nation yet to glorify the possibilities of Mankind and The God...in Whom most of us still Trust...Who yet blesses and approves them. (10 stars)
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