Rating:  Summary: This book is a challenge and it's difficult to understand. Review: I was assigned to read this book, The Killer Angels,over the summer for my sophmore History class. Now, I hate war stories so this is the last book I wanted to be reading over my summer vacation, but my teacher gave rave reviews of the book, so I figured it may not be too bad. I started the book and found it boring and confusing right from the start, especially because I am not too familiar will military terminology. As I read on though, I did find some positive points throughout the story. I enjoyed reading the parts that explained about the soldiers lives and personal thoughts. I thought these parts were interesting and I wish there would have been more instead of all the battle descriptions. I guess that's not really possible though since it's main focus is the Battle of Gettysberg. One thing I know for sure after finishing this story is I would never read this book voluntarilly, but that's just me. :)
Rating:  Summary: Best Civil War book EVER!!! Review: If you've seen the movie, "Gettysburg" you'll love this book. It's one of the most factual historical, Civil War books ever written. The emotions from both sides really come to life, and the final charge is so dramatic, you'll feel like your really there. This book is so enchanting, I guarantee that you'll be begging for more.
Rating:  Summary: Fascinating. Review: I almost never read books in this genre...and I find the Civil War rather dull. But this book is brillantly written and dusts the cobwebs off the heros of our historic past. He portrays the characters as men with doubts, worries, egos and dreams.
Rating:  Summary: The best written piece of historical fiction I've read. Review: Michael Shaara created a modern classic with The Killer Angels. Shaara provides a solid account of the technical aspects of the Battle of Gettysburg, while taking the reader into the hearts and minds of the men, both officers and enlisted, whose choices and actions defined what may be the pivotal moment of American history. If you have never read a book about the Civil War, read this one. I could not put it down. I have given many copies as gifts and keep a supply on hand for friends, colleagues and even strangers.
Rating:  Summary: Heartfelt and brutal literature Review: I've always wanted to be a writer. Now I can't, because there is no way I could ever top the emotion, insight and history of Shaara's masterpiece. Even if you aren't the least bit interested in the Civil War, reading this magnificent work of art will perhaps make you realize that the Battle of Gettysburg was the penultimate moment in this country's history. It's tragic beauty. I can't imagine anyone putting this book down...
Rating:  Summary: A masterpiece Review: There are no words to properly convey the greatness of this book. It is quite simply a masterpiece.
Rating:  Summary: brought the agony of war to life Review: I just finished reading The Killer Angels. What a fantastic book. I have never been a Civil War buff but, this book brought the war to life. It is hard for me, living in 1998, to put myself in the year 1863. However, for a few days I felt like I was there. What a book!!!!
Rating:  Summary: best piece of American historical fiction Review: My favorite book. I completely agree that you can learn more about Gettysburg from this novel than from reading any single piece of nonfiction. Believe me, I have researched my share on the battle and have given several personal tours on the battlefield back at Gettysburg, and this book does the most to recreate the experience. "Experience" is the key word - Shaara never intended the novel to speak specifically about every soldier at Gettysburg (as many people think he did); rather, he tried to capture the emotions and experience of the battle, which are the most important elements of Gettysburg and the Civil War. The novel is also a treasure of literature, and Michael Shaara's literary richness and style are clearly superior to that of his son's in "Gods and Generals" (which, make no mistake, is also a good novel). If you read it more than once, you will notice, learn, or appreciate more and more about the history and characters of the battle.
Rating:  Summary: A must read Review: Shaara's "Killer Angels" stands alone as a great read but when read in conjunction with his son's "Gods & Generals" and now "Last Full Measure", it takes on even greater significance as a window into the events and persons of our Civil War. For me, it introduced me to Joshua Chamberlain--and I've been in awe of him ever since
Rating:  Summary: The best Civil War novel to date Review: The retelling of the Battle of Gettysburg can get rather dull, reading it in a plain history book or hearing about it in class or through television. This book defies the idea of just telling the events. Michael Shaara has taken three influential men from this battle (J.L.Chamberlain, R.E.Lee, and J.Longstreet) and shown us that this was not just one man against another. The Killer Angels describes the real story: the internal conflicts, feelings of betrayal, the desire to do what was right and honorable. Because of this book, no one who reads it will ever see the Civil War the same way ever again.
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