Gods and Generals

Rating:
Summary: Gripping, this makes history interesting
Review: It is hard to delve into mythic figures' psyches, not to mention tell a somewhat controversial historical story accurately, yet Jeff Shaara does that. I read _The Killer Angels_ while in a college Civil War history seminar. I wish I had this one to read then as well. I devoured this in 3 days...a great read!

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, not very entertaining
Review: Sometimes it's tough to like historical novels. The author accepts the challenge of entertaining those who know nothing of his topic and those who specialize in minutiae. Jeff Shaara does an excellent job of describing the build-up before each battle, but the dialogue is often stilted. As a historian, I'd give the book a 4-star rating but as a reader, 2-stars.

Rating:
Summary: Shaara spreads himself too thin
Review: The writing style is annoying. The narrative gaps stick out like ugly roaches. His portrayal of Stonewall Jackson is not even close. Jackson's POV is MIA for 150 pages...where'd he go? I would have preferred an in-depth portrayal of a single battle (hey! just like _Killer Angels_!) instead of covering 2 years of the Civil War with the occasional in-depth portrayal of a battle. After thin descriptions of some battles, like 2nd Manassas, I felt very cheated. After no description of a battle, like 1st Manassas, I was enfuriated. Shaara offers nothing new to Civil War buffs; a lot of re-uttered platitudes from the PBS Civil War series. After I read this book, I said "Been there, done that." Read Shelby Foote instead.

Rating:
Summary: Jeff's father would be proud.
Review: Jeff has carried on his father's methodology of following selected leaders through the various battles of the Civil War. While some might say too much time is covered to really evoke the emotional ties that 'KILLER ANGELS' did, I would argue that 'GODS AND GENERALS' gives set dressing for 'KILLER ANGELS'. My only regret is that I didn't read both books in reverse order.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Jeff Shaara made an impression that will last a lifetime in my eyes. He and his late father sparked an interest in the Civil War that just will not go away. An amazing piece of work that is a must read. Time to start "The Last Full Measure..."

Rating:
Summary: Must read for civil war fans.
Review: Great historical novel. Detail historical analysis of events leading to Gettysburg.

Rating:
Summary: DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK!!!!
Review: Mr. Shaara, thank you for writing this book. I have never come across another book (save your father's) that has informed, amused, and heartened as much as this one has. There are a lot of people who do not understand the civil war and what it represented to both the North and the South. If they want to understand, all they have to do is read this book and they will glimpse what the views and thoughts were of so many Americans, not just the four men profiled in the book. This book should be on every American History teacher's reading list.

Rating:
Summary: Good but not great
Review: "Gods & Generals" is a very good novel, but it doesn't approach his father's "The Killer Angels." And that's OK, because next to his father Jeff Shaara is the 2nd best writer of Civil War fiction. But I wish Shaara had not made his first novel cover a period of several years. The book's pace is rather choppy, but its made up for with the excellent characterizations, especially that of Stonewall Jackson. The character of Hancock is rather disappointing. Maybe Jeff's father sensed that Hancock wouldn't make a good fictional character and that's why he didn't make him a major figure in "The Killer Angels." "Gods & Generals" would have gotten a lot closer to "The Killer Angels" had Shaara only focused on the battle of Chancellorsville over a period of several days instead of trying to cover a period of several years leading up to and into the war. While reading it I kept thinking... OK, lets go, lets go, get on with the show! Still, its one of the best Civil War novels written and not to missed by those interested in the subject matter.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Work
Review: I have nothing but praise for Jeff Shaara's addition to Killer Angels. I was moved by his description of the last meeting of Hancock and Armistead. I was also moved by Jackson's reaction to the little child's death. Excellent book. Should be compulsory reading. Every bit as good as his dad's work.

Rating:
Summary: OK, but no "Killer Angles"
Review: "Gods and Generals" is an entertaining look at the years preceding the Battle of Gettysburg. Unfortunately it pails in comparison to "The Killer Angles." This should be an unfair criticism, but since the book is written in the same style and is marketed as the "prequel" it is inevitable. By focusing on three days in 1863, the "Killer Angles" is a gripping, moving account. However, by expanding the scope of "Gods and Generals" to four years, much of the emotion is lost. We simply plod along as the characters move toward Gettysburg. Very little of the men is shown, other then an occasional vignette that ultimately leads to a famous quote (Lee at Fredricksburg) or event (Jackson at Chancellorsville). This is still enjoyable work, but for most people familiar with the Civil War (even if it is just through Ken Burns), you won't find anything really new here.