Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant......
Review: This is the most fascinating blend of history and storytelling I have ever read. Shaara draws you into the scenes and makes you realize how very differently the war would have ended if one or two things hadn't happened. He touches on many themes, including duty and honor, which the Army of Northern Virginia has in spades. Joshua Chamberlain is portrayed excellently, and the battle of Little Round Top sends excitement up your spine, which is something not many books can do. Also, the last line of the book stands out to me. It speaks of irony and redemption, and how the tide of the war was irrevocably changed after July 3, 1863:"The next day was Saturday, the fourth of July."
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Summary: A classic that will never die
Review: I was told I could read this book for extra credit by my College American History Professor. The only reason I read it was because I wanted the extra credit to get an "A" in the class. Not only did I end up getting an "A" in the class, but I got pulled into, page by page, the greatest battle in American History. The Battle of Gettysburg. This book was wonderful. The battles, vivid and real, make you feel like you are on the battlefield fighting on whichever side you agree with. The book is written, chapter by chapter, in the views of the major players in Gettysburg, and the Civil War. You get to know these American greats on a personal level and understand how they feel. The movie based on this novel, entitled, "Gettysburg", is just as powerful and does a great job of following the novel. Although Michael Shaara is not around anymore, his son Jeff Shaara has continued, with his fathers writing style, this wonderful saga with the battles before Gettysburg, in "Gods and Generals" and the battles after Gettysburg, in "The Last Full Measure". Do not pass this wonderful piece of literature up. You will walk away from this book with a real sense of knowing about our American Civil War. Enjoy
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Summary: One of my favorite boks of all time!
Review: This, without a doubt, is among my favorite books ever. The story simply draws you in, regardless if you have or have not yet seen Gettysburg (again, pure perfection. The style of writing is an intersting three-person style, with different chapters narratored by different participants in the battle. It gives an unusual perspective of both sides during the conflict, exposing the characters of Joshua Lawerence Chamberlain, James Longstreet, and Robert E Lee to view. It is a complelling narative, and Iworthy of its awards. It is a tad stronger than either Gods and Generals or a The Last Full Measure in its style - after all, Jeff Sharra is not quite his father.
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Summary: Arguably, the Greatest Civil War Novel Ever...
Review: It's hard to say or add to what has already been said about Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece. His son Jeff recalled once that on the visit to Gettysburg that inspired Shaara to begin writing Killer Angels was when somehow, Shaara was seeing something else that no one else could see. He was on a different plane. He could actually see the titanic struggle whereas others could only see stone markers. Soon after the visit, he began to write and research his novel.
To keep his book at a managable length, he had to choose judiciously. Culp's Hill was left out almost completely as was General Custer (who stopped Jeb Stuart east of Gettysburg on the third day) as a character.
Still, I think it's the best Civil War novel ever written.
I owe Shaara a debt. His novel was read by Ken Burns who was so inspired by it that he undertook his Civil War documentary, which then got me interested in the period.
A great novel. It deserves all the accolades showered upon it.
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Summary: Best Book Ever Written On The Civil War
Review: Couldn't put this book down. A riveting read. Best book I've ever read on the Civil War.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful and informative read
Review: Every award this book qualifies for, it deserves. Shaara uses such vivid description, and his talent allows him to let the reader understand the truly agonizing decisions made on both sides of the war. Although he ascribes his own words to the situation, the suggested text is very much in line with historical biographies of characters like Lee and Chamberlain. Along those lines, the marvelous reviews of troop movements - and let's face it, military maneuvering isn't always the most lively reading - really make the battle come alive. It is obvious by the close of this book why Lee's strategies are to this day taught in military academies. This book is one of the first I recommend to anyone interested in the Civil War.
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Summary: Kept me up past 3:00 a.m. (on a work night!)
Review: I have zero interest in the Civil War, but this book was absolutely arresting. It is not a work of history, but of historical fiction. You will feel for each of the men portrayed in the book, no matter their allegiance. One of the best 20 books I have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: The Killer Angels
Review: This book was a very good civil war book writin by Micheal Shaara. It portrayed the battle of Gettysburg, which was a big turning point for the North side. There are many different interesting happenings that make the book exciting and fun to read. I personally enjoyed this book,it kept my attention for a long time and was a very good civil war book. Most war books drag on and on and dont hold the attention of "kids" like me but this one had the necessary elements that had me wanting more all the time. In my opinion this book would appeal to all civil war fans and action readers alike, but a romance drama fan might not find as much intrest in it. I recomend this book all around beacause it is a fairly easy read and it flows easily. In conclusion this is a very good civil war book and has much action for all you fans of that genre.
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Summary: You ask for it, you got it....
Review: In highschool, books are often seemed tedious or that of hard work because they are read involutary, forced down your throat and demanded upon to have a high understanding of. This bood was administered to me the same way, but has been the one of most pleasure to read. On the contrary to most other books I have read, this one I look forward to reading and would think that others do too. The portrayal of the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg is ingenious in the fact that it is from the soldiers point of view, like no other account, and the valid stories are taken from their journals and letters. These men lived and died so that ALL men may have freedom. Shaara represents this not only through their actions, but also through their hearts. May this book continue to please those who read it by giving them not just the facts, but the heart felt motivations that helped get this country, this united nation, to where it is today. You ask for a genuine Civil War novel, you got it.
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Summary: The Turning Point of the Civil War
Review: The Killer Angels is a fascinating portrayal of the key events of the battle at Gettysburg. This small town in Pennsylvania was the site of the convergence of the huge forces of the Confederate and Union armies, led by Robert E. Lee and George Meade respectively. The clash of forces here was to certainly alter the course of the Civil War, giving the Union side the upper hand. The novel tells the story more from the perspective of the South, with focus on General James Longstreet and General Lee; but also Colonel Joshua Chamberlain from the North. Shaara steps into the mindset of these main characters, along with a few others, and weaves a tragic, and sometimes ironic storyline. General Longstreet becomes a particularly interesting character, with his brooding, pessimistic outlook on the battle and the woefully accurate foresight which he is forced to ignore. General Lee appears as a weary and yet determined and tremendously respected leader, who makes some fatal decisions in the battle. Colonel Chamberlain, a pensive and intelligent character, despite being a lower ranking officer on the Union side, nonetheless plays a critical role in guarding the uttermost left flank of the Union line against Longstreet. Shaara does an excellent job of making the intense battle scenes come alive, and wisely focuses the story on the crucial points of battle. In doing so, he inevitably leaves out the perspective of other major figures, but mostly those who seemed to play a less active role in the battle. The numerous maps of the arrangement of the forces at Gettysburg are immensely useful for picturing the battle, and the fine storytelling makes one want to travel to the historic battle site to see where these events took place. The novel also is a grim reminder of the tremendous casualities and pain of the war, and the emotion of fighting one's own fellow countrymen. This book is highly recommended as informative and engaging reading.
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