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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I am SO glad I read this book! It was really interesting to learn about the intricacies and war tactics of Gettysburg. The story is told from both the North and the South sides, so I found myself constantly torn between what side I wanted to win, yet torn because they are both Americans. So tragic! I found myself crying a handful of times. It gives me a great, great appreciation for those that have served in the military for my country.
If you read it, which you should, I highly recommend that you keep a paper and pen in the book to jot down the different names, rank, and side to keep things straight as the book flip flops sides and voices. I read this in 3 days, it was that good.
If you read it, which you should, I highly recommend that you keep a paper and pen in the book to jot down the different names, rank, and side to keep things straight as the book flip flops sides and voices. I read this in 3 days, it was that good.
I read this for my junior year English class. I actually enjoyed reading this historical novel. My brother was a civil war reenactor and I've always loved learning about it with him. This book gives a lot of great details about the coming days of the war, and the strategy behind it. Overall a great novel!
Initially, I was a bit worried because the speech seemed too modern, but I got used to it and this turned out to be the great classic I was expecting before I started reading. The characterization is excellent. Shaara does a very good job of distinguishing a whole bunch of soldiers (mostly officers) and the reader is easily able to keep track of who is who. However, I was thankful for the list of the main characters at the front of the book to help with this. I particularly appreciated the portrayal of Robert E. Lee — the reader can both see the adoration he received and also see how this skilled general made grave mistakes that resulted in pointless deaths. This book captures the sheer waste of war. Every individual death is a tragedy and a waste of human life, and the awful battle of Gettysburg was a tragic waste on a phenomenal scale.
This is a tricky book to rate - I will say that, just like in Gods and Generals, I tended to zone out a bit when the author goes into extreme detail about brigades, their positioning. The play-by-play of the battles are mostly for Civil War buffs, which I am not one of them. I do, however, enjoy learning about history and the Civil War and aside from a few repetitive bits, this is a tremendous book. Passages like the opening chapter of the Spy, or the chapter featuring the Englishmen, or Armistead's final chapter are masterful, beautiful writing. I had to stop several times at the gorgeous prose and tragedy of the whole battle. Shaara does a terrific job showing both sides, the chaos of battle and how the soldiers/generals felt. If there were more chapters like the ones I mentioned and fewer "and then they did this, and then they marched here, and then they dug in here" it would be an easy 5 stars.
This is probably a 3.5. It's well-written, and a great concept (inside the minds of the major players in the Battle of Gettysburg). I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it. I listened to it on audiobook, and I'm not sure if it would have held my attention if I'd read it. I think more than there being any big flaw in the book, I simply wanted to love it more than I did.
Amazing! Not a "war" story, but a human story. Makes "history" real and alive and gave me new insight into the Civil War and the battle at Gettysburg. Highly recommend this one.
I first read this book for 11th grade history class. It was my introduction to historical fiction, which is now one of my favorite genres. I decided to read it again now before my dad and I go on a trip to Gettysburg. I have no interest in military strategy, but it was fascinating to get to know the men who were involved in such a historic event.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reread. Holds up relatively well in the not getting starry eyed about the Southern Cause department. Although that is partly because the Confederate side is 80% Longstreet stomping around hating everyone. Not quite as much there there as I remember from reading it as a child, but still an entertaining read.
