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Summary: A Welshman's view of your'e civil war's greatest battle
Review: In June 1979 ,having always had an interest in the american civil war, I visited Gettysburg. After the bus tour around the battlefield and visits to various museums I made my way to catch the Greyhound Bus back to Pittsburg. Havig just alittle time left Iwent in to abookshop
and chose one book to bring back. It turned out to be the most moving thrilling account of the war I have ever read. I must have read it many times since and never tire of Shaara's brilliant description of men under fire. The release of Turner's film re kindled the interest for me and am determined to visit Gettysburg one more time in the near future. Also,to visit Chaimberlain's house in Brunswick is another ambition. Diolch yn fawr iawn.(That's welsh for "Thanks very much)
Rating:
Summary: Best Historical novel ever
Review: I first read "The Killer Angels" in 8th grade on the suggestion of my history teacher. I loved it, but soon moved on with my life. When I began my research paper on James Longstreet as a Junior, I thought of what inspired me to choose this man. One book immediately came to mind: "The Killer Angels". This novel almost single handedly pulled Longstreet out of the endless bog of minor history and back into the forefront of the Civil War. A man maligned after Lee's death, he faded into obscurrity before Shaara's moving work. However, Longstreet wasn't the main reason this novel was so amazing. By following the thoughts and actions of several men on either side of the battle of Gettysburg, Shaara gave the reader insight into their lives and made the battle real. For me, one of the qualities of a great book is that after you are finished, you think about the characters for days afterward, as if they were friends you knew in life. "The Killer Angels" did that to me. Unlike almost all other books about history, in "The Killer Angels" you aren't reading about the battle , you are living it.
male, 17
Rating:
Summary: Killer Angels is a well researched novel on the Civil War
Review: In my Advanced Placement class at Montgomery County High School, we were required to read the novel The Killer Angels. I love history, and had already read several other books on the Civil War previous to the assignment. I believe that Sharra's novel gives a better overall depiction of the atmosphere and emotion felt by soldiers who participated in the war. I think that Sharra does an awesome job recreating the personalities of the generals, especially in the father-like depiction of Robert E. Lee. My favorite character was Chamberlain. He was also greatly depicted in the film,Gettysburg, which is based on Killer Angels word for word. I would definately recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys history, as well as to anyone who is just looking for a fast reading novel. After reading the book I would recommend the viewing of the movie Gettysburg, it is so personal that if you don't cry when both Hancock and Amistadt are wounded, you have apparently not been paying attention.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I read in 1997
Review: Years before I knew about this book, I saw the movie, "Gettysburg." It was four hours long and felt as if it were over in an instant. I've rented it three times since then, and finally purchased it. My local book-review club members reminded me about "The Killer Angels," and I purchased it. It was tremendous -- I could hardly put it down, and then my husband started reading it and felt the same way about it. It's interesting that the book, which came first, is so nearly identical to the screenplay. To me, that attests to the quality of the author's writing as much as to the good judgment of the producer and director of the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: a waste of time
Review: I don't know what all the fuss is about. If it had a mildly good plot, I might understand. This book is about Gettysburg, and their is not one word about the Gettysburg address, which is all anypeople remember
about Gettysburg anyway. Slow death by boredom.
Signed, A.B. 9th grade.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I read in High School.
Review: It brought the people to life. War can seem so neutral, especially for someone who has not experienced a major war in his lifetime. The book is even better than the movie (Gettysburg, Turner).
Rating:
Summary: Corrections to my earlier comments:
Review: 1) The name of the author mentioned is Alice Rains Trulock, not Turlock. Sorry for the transposition. 2) The actor who played Col. Chamberlain so capably is Jeff Daniels, not Daniel Day. I have no idea how I did that. My apologies to Mr. Daniels.
Rating: 
Summary: If you like lots of action, skip the first 2/3d of the book.
Review: Overall, this was a pretty good book. I had heard so much about this book I was a little disappointed when I read it. The first half of the book is pure character development and I had a hard time plowing through all the irrelevent details. By about 3/4 of the way through it started to get better.
Rating:
Summary: If you are a Civil War buff, you must read this book.
Review: I won't bother you with details. Just read the book and I think you will agree it is one of the best ever written on men in combat, in any battle, in any war. I was very taken by the role of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (JLC). He was one of the most capable soldiers in U.S. history. If you are interested, try 'In the Hands Of Providence', by Alice Rains Turlock. It is an excellent biography. Also, see the film 'Gettysburg' (Turner). Daniel Day plays JLC a good as can be done.
Rating:
Summary: A flawed, but ambitiously entertaining book
Review: The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara, is an interesting book in that it tells a tale through the eyes of the participants, voices often unheard through the dreary history books in which the Battle of Gettysburg is taught. The battle comes alive in Shaara's mind, the characters pop out of the pages and live, they breathe the air of humanity, they are real. The great Robert E. Lee, the valiant John Reynolds, the cautious James Longstreet, the unforgettable George Pickett, all of these men come to life in this great novel. The book is very ambitious, for it attempts to supplant all history books and establish itself as a credible source on the happenings at Gettysburg. Shaara's writing is so good that a reader can easily forget this is historical fiction, not the truth. Shaara's writing is a little dry, he can be very choppy, and the book slowly gets stale with each reading. However, with all of its flaws, with the lack of character development, save for a few men, the book still stands out as a towering acheivement. An extremely readable book, Shaara exhibits talent and precision, as well as a passion for details. His only flaw is his writing style, something which cannot be learned. Even though Shaara's writing is not as eloquent as an F. Scott Fitzgerald, he is still very talented, and often goes into moments of passion. His love for this topic can be clearly seen, and it is during the internal pains of those great mortal men that Shaara comes out as a powerful, gifted writer. This book is a tour-de-force, a must read for a fan of American history.
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