Gone for Soldiers

Rating:
Summary: Good, but narrowly focused, addition to Shaara's narrative
Review: "Gone for Soldiers" focuses almost exclusively on the relationship between and experiences of General Winfield Scott and Captain Robert E. Lee during the Mexican-American War. Readers looking for much more will be disappointed. The war at large and the exploits of many of it's primary figures, including General Zachary Taylor and his major role in the conflict, are virtually ignored. However, when viewed as a prequel to Jeff Shaara's "Gods and Generals" and "The Last Full Measure", as well as his father's "The Killer Angels", this book is a worthy addition to the narrative thread the two men have woven. "Gone for Soldiers", while the least exciting of the narratives, is still an engaging and enjoyable read. Shaara, like his father, breathes life into the sometimes one-dimensional figures of history by using the historical fiction genre to give voice to their unrecorded musings and conversations. For readers looking for a more balanced history of the war, John Eisenhower's "So Far From God" is strongly recommended for it's thorough treatment of the subject. The "Class of 1846" by John Waugh is also an outstanding book for those interested in the pre-Civil War story of that war's participants.

Rating:
Summary: Shaara Legacy Continues
Review: For those who have an interest in the American Civil War and in some of the more noted people who became involved in the conflict, will be able to see some of these people at the early stages when all fought on the same side. This "Prequil" to use the term is fitting for this book by Jeff Sharra. Gone For Soilders: A Novel of the Mexican War. Is a very insightful historical fiction. Though the story revolves more around Robert Lee, Jeff Sharra does introduce the reader to an early Sam Grant and James Longstreet.

Like his father before him who's book Killer Angels brought to life again the battle of Gettysbugh as seen through the eyes of some of the people found in Gone For Soilders. The characters are well fleshed out and the story moves along well. It should help bring more people to read up on Pre-Civil War America and some of the men whos names are covered in this fine novel.

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Effort!
Review: Having brought the Civil War to life through his continuation of his father's classic, "The Killer Angels," Jeff Shaara has now ressurected one of America's most forgotten wars, the Mexican War.

In his latest novel, Mr. Shaara introduces us to many of the Civil War's greatest leaders as they learn their craft under fire in Mexico. The book follows the exploits and deeds of one General Winfield Scott as he leads the campaign to defeat Santa Anna's army.

At his side is a young engineer, Capt. Robert E. Lee. Shaara's portrayal of Lee as a young officer, unsure of his untested abilities and his place in the command structure, is truly wonderful. It is a whole different Lee than the polished General of the Civil War. With each new mission Scott assigns him, we can see Lee grow and mature as an officer.

Many of the other men who would later become Generals are also with Lee in Mexico, Grant, Jackson, Meade, Johnston, Pickett, Longstreet, albeit as Lieutenants. They are not given the same in depth treatment as Lee, but already you can see their abilities developing for command.

General Scott and Santa Anna are also portrayed in manners rarely seen. Few modern Americans have heard of Scott, which is a shame since he was one of the best Generals in our early history. Santa Anna is usually mentioned only in conjunction with the Alamo, but here he is given a very fair treatment.

Overall I would say this book is every bit as good as the Shaaras' works on the Civil War. Once again Jeff Shaara has restored life to a long dead period of our nation's history.

Rating:
Summary: A Story Worth Telling
Review: If you can't get enough of the U.S. Civil War, but are tired of the same old stories, you will enjoy this tale. Even among my history-buff friends, very little is known of the Mexican war, and little still of the future Civil War heroes that fought there. This book offers an excellent introduction to that conflict and those heroes.

The story focuses mostly on General Winfield Scott, the Mexican War commander and Captain Robert E. Lee, who would find distinction here and elsewhere. Scott has been a veteran since the War of 1812 and has great disdain for the many politicians that he sees getting in the way of war fighting. Lee is a 40 year-old Army Engineer who has never seen combat. Lee's bravery and honor shine through and the story gives him much credit for the eventual victory.

I wasn't a partisan of Shaara's first work GODS AND GENERALS. I think I was expecting it to be as good as his father's classic, THE KILLER ANGELS. It wasn't a fair comparison for me to make. Now that I have read and enjoyed GONE FOR SOLDIERS, I have re-thought my earlier opinion and hope that Shaara continues to write such gems.

Rating:
Summary: "Gone for Soldiers" is plausible
Review: Jeff Shaara has again triumphed with a novel in historical context. His structuring of what the main characters might have done and said within the backdrop of the Mexican War makes this forgotten war come alive. The best military novel I have read to date.

Rating:
Summary: An Incredible Read
Review: Like many readers, I was first introduced into the world of the Shaaras when my high school history teacher assigned us to read the 1974 classic The Killer Angels. Having recently followed son Jeff Shaara's prequel and sequel to the aforementioned novel, I have seen no less than a sincere attempt to bring people into the realm and mystique of 19th century American awakening.
Gone for Soldiers is a masterful work that successfully continues the trend of excellence begun with Michael Shaara. Through a unique and wonderfully woven story, Jeff again mixes creative thought and dialogue with the historical events of the time, this time focusing his attentions on the long march with Winfield Scott in the Mexican-American War. Admittedly, i was somewhat cautious when beginning this book, never truly expecting it to measure up to the standards of its predecessors. In addition, I could not fathom how certain characters, most notably General Winfield Scott, could be made into interesting and sometimes awkwardly sympathetic figures. Shaara somehow found a way.
Two points of interest are the way that Robert E. Lee and Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna are treated in the book. It was wonderful to see an American legend, so often revered as the most beloved commander in U.S. history, going through his formative time in the military, a young officer in his forties who couldn't possibly understand his future implications or impact on military and cultural existence. Following Lee through the book is akin to viewing the awakening, albeit a reluctant one, of a great military engineer evolving into a great military leader. A second notable surprise were the entries on Santa Anna, a figure whose very presence made his sections of the book true page-turners. In addition, there are the entries devoted to future Civil War generals including Longstreet, Beauregard, and of course Grant.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book for its insight and its creativity - hallmarks of the Shaara tradition. I can truly state that Jeff Shaara has taken his father's masterpiece and turned it into a dynasty.