Rating: 
Summary: A worthy finale to fine Civil War triology.
Review: Like the book's title -- borrowed not only from Lincoln but also Richard Moe (author of an identically titled book about the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry) -- this book is not as original as the prior two. The final volume of the triology is a bit more tedious; however, the Civil War buff will not wish to pass it by. It is generally readable and the maps provide helpful clarity. The addition of Grant as a major character refreshes the outlook. His handling of the Army of the Potomac's reception to Grant's command, and Grant's relationship with Lincoln are insightful. The pages leading to Appomattox -- and the author's depiction of the surrender itself -- are poignant. They capture the steady decline and ultimate dessimation of the Confederate ranks and the profound sorrow and stress Lee must have felt. The final chapter, summarizing the last years of Lee, Chamberlain and Grant are excellent. I was a bit surprised, however, that Shaara did not find a more memorable conclusion to the Chamberlain chapter -- perhaps from the General's many post-war writings -- as he did for Lee and Grant. Without notable exception, the book appears true to generally accepted historical fact. While not the measure of its predecessors, The Last Full Measure is, nonetheless, a nice complement.
Rating: 
Summary: Every bit as good as his father's book.
Review: "Gods and Generals" was a solid effort. "The Killer Angels" (by Michael Shaara)blew me away, but "The Last Full Measure" was absolutely terrific. Thank you, Jeff Shaara, for putting me in touch with this special part of our history.
Rating:
Summary: Shaara surpasses "Gods & Generals"
Review: If you approach a Jeff Shaara book and expect to find his father's "Killer Angles," stop right there. You won't. And this is something that Jeff himself admits. But "The Last Full Measure" comes much closer to the spirit of his father's Pulitizer Prize winning novel than "Gods & Generals" did. This book is darker, gloomier and bloodier than G&G, or even KA for that matter. And therein lies its greatest strength. It is also structured much differently than G&G with fewer main characters and more time spent on the front lines in the heat of combat. Just as the style of combat has changed during these last two years of the war, the charactors have changing too. Lee has grown mentally stronger, physically weaker, but much angrier and less patient with bungling subordinates. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain seems to have discarded his idealism for a far more realistic fatalism. And Jeff has fleshed out the "new" character of General Ulysses S. Grant in grand fashion, making him much more human, caring, and yes, lovable. The "butcher" from Galena has never been more honestly portrayed in a work of ficiton. My only regret is that "Gods & Generals" will be made into a movie long before "Last Full Measure." This is definately the superior story of the two. I can hardly wait to read Jeff's next novel, which will again bring back many of these fascinating people in their younger years during the Mexican War.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Conclusion to A Magnificent Series
Review: "The Last Full Measure" has a much more difficult task to undertake than did the original book in the series, "The Killer Angels" by Mr. Shaara's father, Michael Shaara. This book covers the Civil War from the close of the battle at Gettysburg until shortly after the surrender of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, some 3 years, whereas "The Killer Angels" covered only a period of 4 days. Nonetheless, the author does an outstanding job of taking us into the heads of the major players in the war, and as always, does a particularly outstanding job with Confederate General Robert E. Lee. As in his other books, the author writes from the viewpoints of several of the critical individuals who were around at this point in the War.I read this book after having read "Personal Memoirs" of Union General and former President Ulysses S. Grant, and was somewhat concerned that the sections written from Grant's point of view would be redundant. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were not, and in the end these were some of my favorite parts of the text. It is amazing how informative this book is, and how much effort the author makes to accurately portray the characters and educate the reader about the many interesting aspects of the war. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the Second Battle of the Wilderness, the description of the earthworks and the men who guarded them around Richmond and Petersburg, VA and the fast-paced action that led to Lee's ultimate surrender. This is a very well-written conclusion to this series. The author covers a lot of ground, but manages to not overwhelm the reader and keep them very engaged. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read
Review: Jeff Shaara out did himself on this novel. The perspective he provides on the players in the final moments of the War is truly amazing. He is able to bring a human face to Lee and Grant and bring you into their thought processes, pride, and feelings. Not only does he put a face on the upper echelon of the armies of Lee and Grant but he also provides a perspective from the front lines and the officers charged to command those troops. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially a younger individual. These men were men of courage and honor, their actions should be learned and studied.
Rating:
Summary: Shaara's masterpiece
Review: The Last Full Measure capstones the story of the Civil War told through the eyes of the people who experienced it. In this endeavor, Jeff Shaara continues the awe-inspiring writing of his father, who wrote the Killer Angles. His history is flawlessly accurate, the characters are real people, and his battle scenes, such as the wonderful Crater explosion description, are engrossing. Jeff Shaara's Civil War work is exceptional for someone who was not even trained as a writer, and without any prior experience. Jeff Shaara's Last Full Measure is a welcome addition to any Civil War buff's library.
Rating:
Summary: Too much attempted at once
Review: While others are praising this book I couldn't keep from comparing it to The Killer Angels and finding it wanting. While the writing is decent and the editting acceptable I missed the narrow focus and careful character study. It seemed to me that if the author had focused upon a smaller time frame with more in depth information and created two books things would have come out better. Rarely do we really get a glimpse of the men's souls. The book is a solid Historical retelling of history, but it is not the way his father treated the subject in The Killer Angels and perhaps such treatment of these later events was impossible, however, as a sequel, I found the style differences very noticable.
Standing on it own it is a solid piece of work although not a fantastic book. As a sequel I found it lacking the deeply person characteristics of his Father's writing.
Rating:
Summary: Life-like Conclusion to the Civil War
Review: Jeff Shaara follows in his father's footsteps ... big shoes to fill indeed! He does a highly admirable job of researching and writing about the heroes, both North and South, who fought during the last two years of the Civil War. This book provides the reader a ring-side seat to key battles and positions, as each side fights to their last full measure of strength. The reader is provided personal information about the lives of the major players: General Robert E. Lee, General Ulysses S. Grant, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. We get inside the hearts and minds of these soldiers and although fiction it rings true to life. Historical fiction is a marvelous method to learn about detailed and important battles which became turning points in this most fundamental war in the history of the United States.
Most impressive descriptions are provided as General Robert E. Lee struggles in his heart and soul to send his valorous troops against the much better equipped Northern soldiers. We learn how strategy and insight gave the South advantages over technology and numbers, in the beginning. We learn that after Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was given command of the North, the tides turned ... and the reasons why. Maps are provided which give proper visualization to the word descriptions of strategic locations and key battles. Divided into four parts, the prolog to each section uses the words of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address very effectively. Each section includes descriptions of a wide range of events, thorough analysis, and human emotions for the years of the war and post war events that it covers.
The book goes beyond the war to include descriptons of when President Lincoln is shot. It concludes with an afterward that gives a wonderful summary of the post-war lives of major participants both Blue and the Gray. Reading this book was truly an eye-opening experience, filled with illuminating moments and unforgettable real people. It leaves the reader hungry to read more about the subject It compelled me to buy more books by this author - for example, "Gone for Soldiers" (the Mexican War) and "Rise to Rebellion" (the American Revolutionary War). Erika Borsos (erikab93)
Rating:
Summary: Jeff Shaara Measures Up
Review: The book The Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara vividly depicts the last two years of the Civil War. Describing the traits and decisions made by the three main characters Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Shaara presents a wonderful piece of writing telling all about the last battles of the Civil War. Shaara's writing is clear and delivered spiritedly with a professional command for detail and emotion. He accurately shows Lee's faith in God slowly crumble around him as he stubbornly believes God is with him. He shows Grant's dogged pursuit of the Confederates and his faith in his unfaltering provision lines rather than in an "All Powerful Being." Also Shaara depicts how a teacher, Chamberlain, could overcome his fears of battle and become the hero of the war. Feelings and beliefs make us into who we really are and Shaara portrays to us a vivid word image of just what makes up leading characters. Shaara has made a huge accomplishment in writing that separates this book from the other Civil War books that I have read, such as the Red Badge of Courage because he tells you what the characters are thinking and feeling, not just what they are doing. He has written a masterpiece that equalizes it with the best novels of the year.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful historical fiction!
Review: It's hard to classify this as fiction when the research is so accurate and the "characters" so true to life. Shaara gives a balanced view of the war, the men who fought it, and the reasons why they did while creating a scene so real the reader feels a part of the action. Fans of Shaara's father will find it hard to tell the difference between father and son's writing!
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