Helpful Score: 6
This novel reveals more about the Battle of Gettysburg than any piece of learned nonfiction on the same subject. Michael Shaara's account of the three most important days of the Civil War features deft characterizations of all of the main actors, including Lee, Longstreet, Pickett, Buford, and Hancock. The most inspiring figure in the book, however, is Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, whose 20th Maine regiment of volunteers held the Union's left flank on the second day of the battle. This unit's bravery at Little Round Top helped turned the tide of the war against the rebels. There are also plenty of maps, which convey a complete sense of what happened July 1-3, 1863. Reading about the past is rarely so much fun as on these pages.
Helpful Score: 6
This book drew me in and when I was finished with it, I felt as though I had been there at Gettsyburg. Depicts the rawness of battle and both the stupidity and courage of men.
Helpful Score: 6
One of the best books ever about the Civil War. It's historical fiction but the battle info is pretty much fact. It is about the Battle of Gettysburg as seen from the point of Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and other leaders there at the battle. Ken Burns said this book "changed his life" and after reading this, he did his "Civil War" production.
Helpful Score: 4
I thought it was a tad hard to follow all the characters -- unless you're a Civil War buff or paid better attention in History class than I did -- but this is a compelling story of the battle at Gettysburg as viewed from both sides. The dialogue follows what is historically known about these "players" without making it sound too "made up."
The books does not deal with the gruesome details of the battlefield, but depicts insight into the soldiers' feelings, the respect they had for their leaders, and the courage they faced in following those leaders' commands beyond all.
A definite must read.
The books does not deal with the gruesome details of the battlefield, but depicts insight into the soldiers' feelings, the respect they had for their leaders, and the courage they faced in following those leaders' commands beyond all.
A definite must read.
Helpful Score: 3
This is an exceptional book - even though I'm not "into" the Civil War, I found this to be very, very interesting. It explores the decisions and personalities on both sides of the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as the lay of the land, and helps you understand what went on throughout the planning and duration of the battle and why it was so devastating to all. You might think a novel based on one battle would be rather dry - not true, it is very readable. I recommend it!
Helpful Score: 2
One of the best books I ever read! It tells the story of the battle of Gettysberg in 1863. It's a easy read and gives a great insight to both sides of the battle. This book turned me into a Civil War buff!
I have taken the trip to the Battle field a number of times. Walking accross the the fields of Pickket's Charge! I recomend this book to anyone that can get there hands on it.
Matt Fabrizio
Broomall, PA
Mattfab25@aol.com
I have taken the trip to the Battle field a number of times. Walking accross the the fields of Pickket's Charge! I recomend this book to anyone that can get there hands on it.
Matt Fabrizio
Broomall, PA
Mattfab25@aol.com
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book to be amazing. I enjoy reading about the American Civil war, and the battles. I often find them somewhat confusing in their descriptions. Michael Shaara brought them to life for me. I know this is a work of fiction, however, I felt I was in the minds of the generals. I highly recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 2
An absolutely brilliant novel, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this book personalizes the Civil War in a way that had not been done before. The participant perspectives pioneered by the characterizations in this story are now commonplace, but it has never been done better. As much as I had read about the history of the Battle of Gettysburg, it was not until reading this that I felt I truly began to understand what happened. This is a MUST-read book!
Helpful Score: 2
A marvelous book on the battle of Gettysburg. Really humanizes the "cast" and into their thinking. Though this last is a lot of conjecture since they do not have those sorts of records. I have read my share of reports on this battle but none have been so down to earth. Well worth reading.
Helpful Score: 1
This is truly a great book. Anyone that has even a little interest in History should enjoy it, and even if you don't it's still a great book.
Helpful Score: 1
Generally a fan of the Civil War genre, I found there to be way too many characters that made it difficult to follow along. I found that it made for a very dense and choppy read, much more like a history book than a novel. I can appreciate the historical accuracy, its just this book was a little too much for my tastes.
Helpful Score: 1
Based on my reading of several non-fiction accounts of the battle, this follows history to a "T." It's been a while since I've read this and the other books, but I can't think of where Shaara diverged from history. Unlike, say, Island of the Blue Dolphins or First Man of Rome, where there is scant historical record, this battle has been so dissected that it would be hard to get a new fictional perspective on it.
A page turner. A great piece of historical fiction that motivated me to read more actual American history.
Helpful Score: 1
The classic work on Gettysburg that shook up historical fiction. If you want to better understand what happened at that climatic turning point in the Civil War, this is the book to read.
Helpful Score: 1
In the four most bloody and courageous days of our nations's history, two armies fought for two dreams. One dreamed of freedom, the other a way of life.
Far more than rifles and bullets were carried into battle. There were memories. There were promises. There was love. And far more than men fell on those Pennsylvania fields. Shattered futures, forgotten innocence, and crippled beauty were also the casualties of war.
THE KILLER ANGELS is unique, sweeping, unforgettable - a dramatic re-creation of the battle ground for America's destiny.
"Remarkable... a book that changed my life... I had never visited Gettysburg, knew almost nothing about that battle before I read the book, but here it all came alive." -Ken Burns, Filmmaker
Far more than rifles and bullets were carried into battle. There were memories. There were promises. There was love. And far more than men fell on those Pennsylvania fields. Shattered futures, forgotten innocence, and crippled beauty were also the casualties of war.
THE KILLER ANGELS is unique, sweeping, unforgettable - a dramatic re-creation of the battle ground for America's destiny.
"Remarkable... a book that changed my life... I had never visited Gettysburg, knew almost nothing about that battle before I read the book, but here it all came alive." -Ken Burns, Filmmaker
Helpful Score: 1
I am NOT a Civil War buff, but I can't say enough good about this book. It is much better then Gods and Generals the the Last Full Measure in my opinion. Engaging story that is written so clearly that by the time I was done, I felt like I really understood what happened at Gettysburg.
Helpful Score: 1
This book moved me deeply. So many good Americans thrown into the burning Hell of civil war! (Which still strikes me as an unreal nightmare of waste and slaughter! I'm an antique American and Korean War vet.) And yet the battle at Gettysburg was an exhibition of something terrible and grand and beautiful and valiant in America at war. This book should be read by all Americans
Helpful Score: 1
Get past the title! This is probably the best historical novel you will ever read. You will know the people and events with a personal intimacy. You are drawn into the drama of living history, and do not want it to end.
Historical accuracy is preserved, even as it receives a life far richer than could be portrayed in film. If you haven't read it, and you enjoy Civil War history, it is a must.
Listen to it, or read it. You won't be sorry.
Historical accuracy is preserved, even as it receives a life far richer than could be portrayed in film. If you haven't read it, and you enjoy Civil War history, it is a must.
Listen to it, or read it. You won't be sorry.
An excellent depiction of the battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War conflict, the moral issues of taking up arms against one's brothers. A good read.
My history teacher assigned this book in high school in 1981. It one of the few required-reading books I've ever enjoyed. Many, many years later, I turned my husband on to it and recommended it to my son for *his* history novel.
A great description of the Battle of Gettysburg and the leaders of that battle. His style can be somewhat confusing as he goes back and forth between the Union and Confederate "players" and the maps of the battlefield are also not always helpful. But overall a worthwhile read.
A great read. I used it in college history classes and it was well received.
Absolutely loved this book. A very readable novel of the 4 days of Gettysburg. If you are interested in the Civil War this is a great introduction to a turning point in American history and the players of the time.
If you like Civil War books, you will certainly enjoy this one.
If you love history or even if you don't--this book is captivating!!
I had been a huge fan of the movie Gettysburg since I first saw it in a college dorm room in the mid-1990s. However, I had never heard of The Killer Angels or Michael Shaara. After watching the movie on DVD 10 years later, I finally realized the screenplay for Gettysburg was based on that book when I was reading the small print on the screen. I then went out and bought a copy.
The Killer Angels is a superior fictional novel on the battle of the Gettysburg during the American Civil War. The book covers the span from the initial days leading up to the battle to just after Picketts charge at the end of the battle. Shaara tells the story of the battle through the eyes of the major figures of the battle, General Longstreet and General Lee of the Confederate Army, Colonel Chamberlain of the US Army, and a handful of other people, so the story is mostly told in first person from multiple points of view. This offers a very unique perspective of the battle.
The writing in the novel is absolutely first rate. The writing abilities of Mr. Shaara make you feel like you are in the middle of the battle. You can almost smell the sulphury smoke of the cannon fire, feel the heat of the hot July day, hear the bullets whizzing overhead, and feel the anguish of the people on both sides to think they are fighting a hopeless battle. The attention to detail in the character dialogues really make the reader feel like the are listening to the people 2 feet away. The writing in this book is poetically beautiful.
There are only two negatives I can think of about the book. First, I thought that some of the chapters seemed to be a little long. Not terribly excessive, but a bit long with no good place to stop. Second, while I wound not call it a strong negative, the book is almost word for word exactly the same as the movie Gettysburg. If you have seen the movie, you have pretty much read the book.
Personally, I think this book should be mandatory reading at the high school level. Just like the movie Gettysburg, the book really shows the intricacies of war from the perspective of the people who fought it. There really is not a lot of focus on the blood and guts portion of the battle. If you are interested in book on war or the military, or if you are interested in a good action book, this is a must read. Overall, one of the best books I have read.
The Killer Angels is a superior fictional novel on the battle of the Gettysburg during the American Civil War. The book covers the span from the initial days leading up to the battle to just after Picketts charge at the end of the battle. Shaara tells the story of the battle through the eyes of the major figures of the battle, General Longstreet and General Lee of the Confederate Army, Colonel Chamberlain of the US Army, and a handful of other people, so the story is mostly told in first person from multiple points of view. This offers a very unique perspective of the battle.
The writing in the novel is absolutely first rate. The writing abilities of Mr. Shaara make you feel like you are in the middle of the battle. You can almost smell the sulphury smoke of the cannon fire, feel the heat of the hot July day, hear the bullets whizzing overhead, and feel the anguish of the people on both sides to think they are fighting a hopeless battle. The attention to detail in the character dialogues really make the reader feel like the are listening to the people 2 feet away. The writing in this book is poetically beautiful.
There are only two negatives I can think of about the book. First, I thought that some of the chapters seemed to be a little long. Not terribly excessive, but a bit long with no good place to stop. Second, while I wound not call it a strong negative, the book is almost word for word exactly the same as the movie Gettysburg. If you have seen the movie, you have pretty much read the book.
Personally, I think this book should be mandatory reading at the high school level. Just like the movie Gettysburg, the book really shows the intricacies of war from the perspective of the people who fought it. There really is not a lot of focus on the blood and guts portion of the battle. If you are interested in book on war or the military, or if you are interested in a good action book, this is a must read. Overall, one of the best books I have read.
Great account of the Battle of Gettysburg - it comes alive.
Great story and shows how war effects family and generations all because they have one major difference in philosophy regarding rights, both human and individual states.
Historical novel at its finest. Along with other battlefield histories, this book put the flesh on the bones of history for our visit to Gettysburg on the 150th anniversary commemoration week. Fantastic read!
Great Civil War historical novel!
Excellent! If you are interested in the Civil War this is a must read. About Gettysburg and what was fought for on both sides.
Part of a civil war trilogy (1)
A book everyone should read. Broke down the Battle of Gettysburg in such a way that you feel you are right there with the soldiers.
This book was wonderful. I brought the events at Gettysburg to me in a real and understandable way.
Engrossing novel relating the circumstances of the Battle of Gettysburg through the eyes of the officers that took part in the battle including Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and Lawrence Chamberlain. This really took you into the battle at a first-hand experience level and gives perspectives on how the battle was won by the North and lost by the South. I read this book partly because it was recently the 150th anniversary of the battle. I would recommend this to anyone interested in the Civil War or American History.
A Pulitzer Prize winner and rather recent contribution to the literature of the Civil War, this is both fact neatly entwined with fiction. Today it is still a classic recount of the Battle of Gettysburg told from both sides of the battle. As such it ranks among such classics as Crane's The Red Badge of Courage, Churchill's The Crisis, and the non-fiction of Bruce Catton. It is a striking contrast of the two combatant armies.
Not even sure how I got this book originally. I'm not great at understanding military strategy and following maps so I spent a lot of time researching in my reading. But I was so moved by the characters...I love that there are no "bad" guys and "good" guys, but rather men who believed completely in what they were fighting for. I've since read the prequel Gods and Generals and the sequel The Last Full Measure. Loved them both.
One of the best Civil War stories
A good read about the generals. The destiny of the war was fate or foolishnes?
The best in civil war novels. The first classic. Excellent!
Very good Civil War novel.
The book's novel idea of telling the story of the Battle of Gettysburg by focusing on five key participants--General John Buford and Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain for the Union, along with Generals Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet and Lewis Armistead for the Confederates--was not a new idea to me. Through the eyes of these five men the crucial points of the battle--preventing the Confederates from taking the high ground on July 1, stopping Hood's division from sweeping the Federal left flank on Little Round Top on July 2, and the high water mark of the Confederacy with Pickett's Charge on July 3--are crystallized as desperate actions agonized over by the leaders who have to make the crucial decisions. Even though these five men are battlefield commanders, they still manage to personalize the battle in which more Americans were killed than were lost in the entire Vietnam War.
Pulitzer Prize winning Civil War Novel. The best book on the Civil War I've ever read.
I hate to be repetitive , but I must agree with the other reviewers. I learned more about the Civil War & the key figures of that time than I ever knew----and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!! I've toured Gettysburg before, but I plan on returning with a whole new perspective. This well written (Pulitzer winner) novel certainly aroused my curiosity.
A novel of the four most bloody days of our nation's history - The Battle of Gettysburg.
"The best and most realistic historical novel about war I have ever read." -General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
Engaging novel about the Civil War.
Engaging novel about the Civil War.
One of the best re-creation of the Battle of Gettysburg. If you haven't read any books on the Battle of Gettysburg, this is the first and maybe only book you might need to read. It should be a required reading for all highschool students.
The BEST Civil War (Historical Fiction) ever! This book really brings the struggle to life! Number 1 in a trilogy completed by the Author\'s son Jeffery Shaara (Gods and Generals, Last Full Measure)
Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf stated "The best and most realistic historical novel about war I have ever read."
This book became the Major Motion Picture "GETTYSBURG".
This book became the Major Motion Picture "GETTYSBURG".
One of the best books written about the Civil War -- specifically the Battle of Gettysburg. Really outstanding.
This was my first foray into historical fiction and I loved it. I'm usually not big on history, but this is a great book.
A wonderful history of the Battle of Gettysburg.
An excellent book on the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. The author, Michael Shaara, won a Pulizer Prize for this book.
If you love history, especially Civil War era, this is the best fictional account of the battle of Gettysburg.
This is the classic novel about the Battle of Gettysburg. A must for fans of Civil War historical fiction.
This is an excellent novel depicting The Battle of Gettysburg. It's a must read for any American History Buff!
Excellent portrayal of the battle of Gettysburg.
A good story about the battle of gettysburg. A war book that actually kept me interested!
Shaara, brings history to life again.
read this for a history class but it's actually a good book about the battle of Gettysburg
The movie "Gettysburg" was based on this excellent, and accurate historical novel.
Fantastic. Insightful.
I ordered this book because I was trying to read Pulitzer Prize winners that I had missed. It is a powerful book about the Battle of Gettysburg and the personalities of the men on both sides who fought it and the strategies involved. No happy ending there, but a reminder of a dark time in our history. Shaara deserved the Pulitzer Prize.
An exceptional Civil War novel
"A dramatic re-creation of the battleground for America's destiny." (from the back cover). A novelized version of the Battle of Gettysburg, the best historical novel I've ever read. Told from the perspective of Lee, Longstreet, and Chamberlain, it's the basis for the movie "Gettysburg."
This book is a marvelous way to learn Civil War history. The Battle of Gettysburg will come alive for you! (Much better than school textbooks)
If you are a Civil War buff like I am you HAVE to read this book!
Excellent Civil War read about Gettysburg. This book is worn, but not torn or dirty.
Yes, I am a Civil War buff, but still, I loved this book. Fictionalized, of course, and yet one can learn so very much about Gettysburg, whether you care to or not. Well written, fascinating. I agree it should be on high school reading lists.
Awesome story!
I just couldn't get into this book. Although it got great reviews, so obviously other people liked it, it just wasn't for me.
Only if you like history.
_The Killer Angels_ is one of the best books I have ever read! Really! It is an extraordinary piece of writing.
A Pulitzer prize-winning civil war novel
excellant
Fantastic book. Both men and women will be sucked in and pulled along through this one. Don't miss the sequel Gods and Generals.
Humanizes the Civil War in a way I never thought imaginable.
Very jnteresting reading, and showing a different outlook on the Civil War at Gettysburg
Must read for civil war buffs!
Great Civil War book for history alone.
I was disappointed in this book for my son. It came recommended by several Christian homeschool groups, so when he read it to discover many many bad words and descriptions, I was very disappointed. I'm sure it is a great book, and very reflective of what war is like, but I wasn't ready to fill by 14 yr olds head with all those words and descriptions quite yet. So just a heads up if you are getting it for teens to read if you lean on the conservative side.
