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uncle_remus 's review for:
The Killer Angels
by Michael Shaara
Forget _The Red Badge of Courage_, read this! I am not a Civil War buff, and I tend not to like war stories, but this one is good. While important and covered in other novels, this does not dive deep into the politics of the times, states rights, or racial inequality, although all are mentioned. Equating the Southern 'gentleman' with the English nobility and land owners was novel (to me). I think the book may more accurately reflects the various reasons why different folks go to war, how they behave in the army, under command, in battle, and the times in between. This suggests the reasoning behind how different leaders approached this battle, and how they react and choose when few options, none good, remain.
From what I have since read, R.E. Lee did own slaves, and was not so adamantly opposed to slavery as implied to in the novel. It tends to make me ponder how far off some of the other perspectives were. Even if they were slightly off base (perhaps), or even wildly off base (doubtful), the range of humanity, personalities, thoughts and emotions are certainly valid. Like Napoleon in _War and Peace_, the preconceived notion that R.E. Lee was a great battle and war strategist, and spectacular leader, is disabused. Unlike Napoleon (who I loathe), that Lee is dignified and a true gentleman is all that remains. Like the southern soldiers who say they are fighting for "rats" (inside joke, until you read the book) but cannot name any, I think the Southerners that today uphold the memory of Lee are, likewise, at least misinformed, or worse uninformed.
Regardless, recommended for all. 5/5 and deserving of the Pulitzer.
From what I have since read, R.E. Lee did own slaves, and was not so adamantly opposed to slavery as implied to in the novel. It tends to make me ponder how far off some of the other perspectives were. Even if they were slightly off base (perhaps), or even wildly off base (doubtful), the range of humanity, personalities, thoughts and emotions are certainly valid. Like Napoleon in _War and Peace_, the preconceived notion that R.E. Lee was a great battle and war strategist, and spectacular leader, is disabused. Unlike Napoleon (who I loathe), that Lee is dignified and a true gentleman is all that remains. Like the southern soldiers who say they are fighting for "rats" (inside joke, until you read the book) but cannot name any, I think the Southerners that today uphold the memory of Lee are, likewise, at least misinformed, or worse uninformed.
Regardless, recommended for all. 5/5 and deserving of the Pulitzer.