Cain At Gettysburg - Ralph Peters

oldpete63

Sergeant Major
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Have seen great reviews by the Civil War community on this book "Cain At Gettysburg" by Ralph Peters. Some say, it even surpasses "Killer Angels" in regards to a fictional account of Gettysburg. What I found interesting is that a few of the folks I know are anti-fiction when it comes to the Civil War, yet say they can't put it down.
 
Not familiar with it...will look for it (although I'm in the middle of 3 other books and have 8 on the to read soon list)...
 
I've also heard it's good. Planning to get an audio version. It'll have to go some to beat Killer Angels, tho. I love Schaara's writing.
 
Have seen great reviews by the Civil War community on this book "Cain At Gettysburg" by Ralph Peters. Some say, it even surpasses "Killer Angels" in regards to a fictional account of Gettysburg. What I found interesting is that a few of the folks I know are anti-fiction when it comes to the Civil War, yet say they can't put it down.

I read it and in my mind compared it to Killer Angels. Very descriptive and well written.
 
I've been listening to the audiobook. There are things about it I like and things I don't like - I like that it covers things Killer Angels doesn't, and I like the level of descriptive detail in general (I like that he as Hancock swearing like crazy, as the real Hancock apparently did), but it tends to ramble (some scenes are just way too long) and it's not as tightly constructed as Killer Angels (KA has a good parallel going - Chamberlain's unplanned successful charge, Pickett's well-planned unsuccessful charge). It doesn't seem to have an overall literary theme, either (KA wasn't just about the Battle of Gettysburg - it was about the traps the various characters were in), and I just like Schaara's way with words better. Cain is better than most, tho. Worth the read.
 
The best civil war fiction that I have ever read is The Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell. It consists of a series of four books: Book One: Rebel Book Two: Copperhead Book Three: Battle Flag Book Four: The Bloody Ground. I have read all four and I thought that they were great.
 
The best civil war fiction that I have ever read is The Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell. It consists of a series of four books: Book One: Rebel Book Two: Copperhead Book Three: Battle Flag Book Four: The Bloody Ground. I have read all four and I thought that they were great.

Agreed - his books on the American Revolution are good too.
 
His description of the battle and fighting at Sharpsburg and Second Manassas is as realistic as I have ever read. When I read those books I could hardly put them down.

And he's not too loose on the facts - he had to have been on those battlefields - not like some authors who have only seen it on a map :smile:
 
Just checked my library and they have 8 copies at all 6 branches, all checked out. Hey Pat, I thought you lived down the road apiece. Are you on the list? Well, now I am.
I am in the Montgomery County library system. I have been the same number for a month. Guess they don't have it or just got it.
 
Last night in the Burg :frown:. Just a heads up - Visitor's Center just got a supply of "Cain at Gettysburg" - said they should continue to have a steady supply - manager said they fly off the shelves - everybody wants a copy.:smile:
 
just picked up my copy from the library.there was only 1 available in over 3 counties.will let you know after I finish and during on what it is like.1st got to finish my other 3 I am reading before I start it.
 
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