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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This isn't something I'd normally read, but Shaara's writing style is incredible.
I am an avid reader of Civil War fiction and non-fiction alike. Within the first few pages, this book enthralled me with the depictions and viewpoints of the Battle of Gettysburg. This book was an easy read and I found it more enticing the more I read. The author has a way of writing in the facts, so there is a story, which flows easily, and it is not a bombardment of names, dates, and events. I recommend this book to all those wishing to learn more about the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg!
I don’t really read Civil War novels - or any war novels - but this one was given to me by an acquaintance, so I felt an obligation to finish it. It was quite entertaining - too gory for me at times, but I’m rather sensitive.
Ive hear about this cast of characters so often in school growing up - but I never saw them come to life so vividly like in this novel.
I also enjoyed how the novel jumped from the points of view of the different leaders.
Even though I knew the ending from history, I still had adrenaline pumping through my veins, wondering how it was all going to go down.
Ive hear about this cast of characters so often in school growing up - but I never saw them come to life so vividly like in this novel.
I also enjoyed how the novel jumped from the points of view of the different leaders.
Even though I knew the ending from history, I still had adrenaline pumping through my veins, wondering how it was all going to go down.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
In the over 35 years since its publication, the "Killer Angels" has assumed the title of King of Civil War novels. Set during the epic battle of Gettysburg, "Killer Angels" follows the generals on both the Union and the Confederate sides of the battle as they plan their strategy, deploy their troops and then deal with the consequences of the battle.
The two main characters of the novel are on either side of the battle. On the union side, COL Joshua Chamberlain, whose Maine soldiers held the key terrain of Little Round Top against imminent Confederate attack. On the Confederate side was General Longstreet, senior aide to General Robert E. Lee. Longstreet was a controversial figure because of his post-war politics, in which he became a Republican and advocated a working relationship with the victorious Union forces who were occupying the South. Because of this political view, Longstreet was seen by many in the south as a traitor to the cause during the difficult Reconstruction period. In "Killer Angels", Longstreet is portrayed as the voice of reason who tries desperately to make Lee see the error of his decisions which ultimately led to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg and ultimately to defeat of the Confederacy. To portray Longstreet as the hero and Lee as a misguided fool was and is very unpopular among many Southerners and Civil War afficionados. As a novice of Civil War history myself, I would only speculate as to whether Shaara is correct in this portrayal. However, it certainly is controversial.
Novels such as "Killer Angels" are a great way to introduce non-historians to historical controversies such as what really led to the outcomes at Gettysburg. For Civil War buffs, this novel is a must read and will be discussed at length at Civil War re-enactments by readers who have read this book several times and are very aware of the issues raised by the book. It is a modern classic of historical fiction and is highly recommended.
The two main characters of the novel are on either side of the battle. On the union side, COL Joshua Chamberlain, whose Maine soldiers held the key terrain of Little Round Top against imminent Confederate attack. On the Confederate side was General Longstreet, senior aide to General Robert E. Lee. Longstreet was a controversial figure because of his post-war politics, in which he became a Republican and advocated a working relationship with the victorious Union forces who were occupying the South. Because of this political view, Longstreet was seen by many in the south as a traitor to the cause during the difficult Reconstruction period. In "Killer Angels", Longstreet is portrayed as the voice of reason who tries desperately to make Lee see the error of his decisions which ultimately led to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg and ultimately to defeat of the Confederacy. To portray Longstreet as the hero and Lee as a misguided fool was and is very unpopular among many Southerners and Civil War afficionados. As a novice of Civil War history myself, I would only speculate as to whether Shaara is correct in this portrayal. However, it certainly is controversial.
Novels such as "Killer Angels" are a great way to introduce non-historians to historical controversies such as what really led to the outcomes at Gettysburg. For Civil War buffs, this novel is a must read and will be discussed at length at Civil War re-enactments by readers who have read this book several times and are very aware of the issues raised by the book. It is a modern classic of historical fiction and is highly recommended.