Rating: 
Summary: A Fine Civil War Novel
Review: Michael Shaara's 1975 novel THE KILLER ANGELS won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. To be certain, it is an excellent novel, full of winning characterizations and colorful characters. Compared to other historical novels about the Civil War, this novel is somewhat more historical and less of a novel. The most impressive element of THE KILLER ANGELS was the way in which the author portrays both Northerners and Southerners as heroes and patriots, without coming off as contradictory. Shaara, a northerner, not only gives the South a fair shake, he goes so far as to make Robert E. Lee and his right-hand man, General James Longstreet, the main characters of the novel. the history is very accurate and his personifications are interesting takes on well-known historical figures. This is a novel that everyone reads in high school. However, on my second reading, I was struck by how much literary stuff I missed the first time around. For example, early in the novel a southern officer asks Longstreet, a master poker player: when is it advisable to draw on an inside flush? Any good card player knows that, although it is tempting, it is also bad poker to draw on an inside flush. Later in the novel, Lee's plan to charge the heavily fortified mountains is like drawing on an inside flush. It is a bold move, with great potential rewards, but you also risk losing very badly if you don't get the one card in the deck that would complete your hand. Both armies in the novel have foreigners. The southern foreigners are all somewhat daffy observers from Europe who wear plumed hats, heavy armor, and ridiculous facial hair. By comparison, the foreigners in the Northern army are all American citizens who have fully assimilated themselves. They help the cause and fight well, instead of sinply observing. In this fashion, Shaara represents the North as being the new America, and the South as being the old America. Its a fascinating novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Captivating
Review: Wow. Michael Shaara weaves details from the journals of Robert E, Lee, James Longstreet, Joshua Chamberlain and other soldiers into a beautiful story of courage, fear, love, friendship and above all, patriotism. Without overlooking details necessary for historical accuracy, Shaara eloquently presents the tale of this hard-fought turning point in Civil war history. A MUST read.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: "The Killer Angels" is a riveting tale of the battle of Ghettysburg. The pure emotion and moral struggle General Longstreet endures while trying to reason with General Lee is heart wrenching at times. This book was hard to put down and brought tears to my eyes on several occations. A must read for any Civil War fan.
Rating:
Summary: The Killer Angels- A Great Civil War Novel
Review: The Killer Angels is a great story about the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. Its main characters include General Robert E. Lee and General Longstreet to represent the Confederate, or Rebel, point of view of the book, and General Lawrence Chamberlain and General Buford to represent the Union, or Yankee, view of the story. It shows the Battle of Gettysburg from both the Union and the Confederate points-of-view, which was a great perspective, and also shows the feelings and the emotions of the troops instead of concentrating on the blood and gore of the battle. This helped to focus on the actual events of the battle instead of the bloody actions during it. The story took place over four days before and during the Battle of Gettysburg. The book gives a prologue and an epilogue to add additional information about the characters and the Civil War.
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Summary: YOU'LL WANT TO VISIT GETTYSBURG!
Review: It was my privilege to be enrolled in Mike's Creative Writing class in college, but I had no idea what a successful novelist he would prove! This book actually makes me want to visit the historic site of Gettysburg--to see for myself the scene of so much suffering and sacrifice. Not only with my eyes, but now with my heart, thanks to the well-researched information presented in THE KILLER ANGELS. First President Lincoln and now master storyteller Shaara have honored the lives and courage of all those who fought valiantly for their regrettably-opposing views. This novel is very intense: 355 pages stretched out over just three days. The first remarkable thing is the accuracy of Shaara's historic detail. Next we are impressed by his impartiality: each chapter focuses on one officer, but he switches "sides" easily, demonstrating absolute fairness to North and South. This style of the divine narrator leads us to realize that it is War itself which proves the real evil, since both sides espouse principals of honor. We are amazed that he can present such vivid word portraits of the officers who orchestrated the prolonged Battle of Gettysburg. Shaara takes us inside their heads--and their hearts. Their foibles, dreams, terrors, regrets, and private anguish are laid bare for the reader. We share the agony of mlitary decision, the loneliness of high command. This novel also is impressive because it proves very readable--not the boring history text you might expect. One reason is the use of extensive dialogue. Some conversations seem to be scenes from a play; they remain with the reader long after the action has moved on. But the historical persons depicted appear very human, despite the intervening years. Even if you never cared for military history, this book will enlighten, touch and entertain you. Shaara provides great insight into why men will lay down their lives: for a Cause or for an Ideal. Fabulous literary and historical reading for all Americans!
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Summary: Moments of glory...triumph...sadness...what a novel.
Review: This book was one of the most incredible pieces of literature I have ever read. I have visited the battlefield at Gettysburg several times as a child but never really contemplated what occured there, but after reading this book I shall visit again with awe and reverence. This books moves to tears, stirs the heart and the soul, and finally, lifts one to a greater understanding of men in battle. The writing of the battles of Little Round Top and the description of Pickett's charge actually left me breathless and time seemed to stop as I read these passages. Well, anyway, this was one heck of a read. A truly amazing work. Recommended for anyone with an interest in the Civil War (obviously) but also for anyone with a desire to know the human spirit.
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Summary: My First Civil War Indepth Read--"A Great Primer"
Review: Other than history courses--this was my first indepth read of the Civil War. Being a military member--I admire the participants on the battle field, because they all believe in what they are fighting for. I don't believe you can arm-chair quarterback a war or battle--and this book points out that most participants of the Civil War were putting their lives on the line--to protect their states or the Federal Government. This book takes the politics and social issues out of the central focus. It explains why, and how, a young man in Virginia or Maine gives the ultimate gift. Next, the book will align you with your own heros of the Civil War, especially Gettsyburg--Lee, Longstreet, Hancock, Chamberlin, Pickett. If you've read nothing on the Civil War--this book will make you an expert on the most memorable battle of the war!
Rating:
Summary: Lee vs. North
Review: Killer Angels is the best book written on the civil war. It shows the perspectives of both the north and south without taking sides. It is a dramtic book that has moments of excitement and moments of sorrow. It clearly explains the battle of Gettysburg, the worst battle of the war. There was a movie inspired by the book and it is exactly like the book. The one probelm with the movie is that the southern accents are terrible. But it is a great book worth reading
Rating:
Summary: An Interesting Omission
Review: All of the good things that have been said about this novel are true, and I wouldn't unsay a one of them, but there is one very interesting gap. The book is an imaginative recreation of the thoughts and feelings of key participants in Gettysburg, written by a former soldier. While there are single chapters for General Lee, General Armistead and a British colonel who observed the battle, the bulk of the narrative is carried by three characters. Union General Buford is an all-business professional. Confederate General Longstreet is also a superb professional, but with very ambivalent feelings about fighting against the Old Flag and the Old Army. Union Colonel Chamberlain is a citizen-soldier an an idealist, who went to war for principle and whose effort to reconcile his principles with the grisly reality of war are the moral center of the book. The omission is that there is no Confederate character equivalent to Chamberlain. Lee and Longstreet are professionals; war is their business, they are fighting for their homes, and that's that. Except for a brief appearance by a blowhard politician turned general (Kemper), the author makes no efforts to portray the thoughts and feelings of the Southern citizen-soldier. Why, I don't know, but I think the book is less than it could have been because of the lack.
Rating:
Summary: Best Civil War novel ever read!
Review: I thought that this book was a pretty interesting book to read even though i had to read it for my history class @ school. Anyways, i learned about the many aspects of war and how they survived with enemies all around them. They use various kinds of weapons and the use of hospitality.
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