Which Shaara For You, Pick!

[5fish]

Here's a fun poll for all to take if you have read the following books:

Gone For Soldiers: It is about the Mexican-American War.

Gods And Generals: It is about first years of the Civil War.

The Killer Angels: It is about the Battle of Gettysburg.

The Last Full Measure: It is about the last years of the Civil war.

These books were written between by Jeff and Michael Shaara.

R.E. Lee is a main character in each of these books along with other mainly southern Civil War figures. All I ask is pick your favorite book out of these Shaara family collection present to you here and maybe leave a word or two about why.

 

[william42]

"The Killer Angels" is the book that got me hooked on the Civil War in 1988. My favorite line from near the beginning of it, has to do with both armies converging gradually on Gettysburg, completely unaware of the enormity of the event about to unfold upon them.



"All that month there is heat and wild rain. Cherries are ripening over all Pennsylvania, and the men gorge as they march. The civilians have fled and the houses are dark. The armies move north through the heat and the dust."




Terry

 

[ole]

Can't add a thing. Never read either Shaara.

ole

 

[5fish]

Can't add a thing. Never read either Shaara.

ole

I would highly recommend that you do and I would recommend the Gone for Soldier. Like WWI the Mexican-American is under appreciated as well. You will meet one of Lee's older brothers in the story and several other figures who go on to be famous in the Civil War.

 

[timewalker]

I think the old man had a better way with words than his son. Jeff is not bad, but I think Michael was the better writer.

 

[ole]

With such recommendations, I'm off to find a copy.

ole

 

[J_Man0507]

Ole,

If I remember, there are copies on amazon for a penny. You pay more in shipping than for the book! :laugh1:

As for the Shaara books, I would have to go with The Killer Angels. The movie Gettysburg got me hooked permanently on the war, and the book is wonderful, fully deserving of its Pulitzer. Now, I am glad that Jeff continued the tradition, and did the prequel and sequel, and to an extent, I liked Gone for Soldiers as well. Then came the War for Independence books, and then WWI and now WWII. The WWI was kinda stale (stuffing it all into one book and also just focusing alot on the pilots of opposing sides and not enough, I think, on the men in the trenches) and to be honest, I haven't really thought of picking up his latest on WWII. I will stick with the ones that carried on tradition. But Killer Angels was the best of the bunch.

 

[5fish]

Ole!

With such recommendations, I'm off to find a copy.

ole

I don't know everyone these is picking "The Killer Angels", maybe I missed something. I personal favorite was "The Last Full Measure" then "Gone For Soldiers".

Each to their own...

 

[J_Man0507]

So true Fish...each to their own. I liked Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure immensely, don't get me wrong, and Gone for Soldiers was excellent as well. But Michael did such a superb job on Killer Angels, and I feel it has a little bit of a higher literary quality to it. Just my opinion, but thats my take on the whole issue.

 

[5fish]

J_Man!

So true Fish...each to their own. I liked Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure immensely, don't get me wrong, and Gone for Soldiers was excellent as well. But Michael did such a superb job on Killer Angels, and I feel it has a little bit of a higher literary quality to it. Just my opinion, but thats my take on the whole issue.

Each to their own...

I think Michael's "The killer Angels" was little better written then Jeff's earlier books and an easier read. I think Jeff's WWI work was good but he limited himself to the American experience which limited the book. I too for some reason have little will to read Jeff's WWII series, yet.

 

[ole]

I'll be darned! Have the three! Guess I won't have to buy one. But, if I forgot that I had them, none of them apparently made an impression.

ole

 

[5fish]

Ole!

I'll be darned! Have the three! Guess I won't have to buy one. But, if I forgot that I had them, none of them apparently made an impression.

ole

I would at least read one of them for they are good books. if you got "Gone For Soldier", go for it. The Mexican-American war train many of the CW heros we know today.

 

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

Just bought Killer Angeles at a thrift store today. Will read it post haste.

Pinckney

 

[samgrant]

Of these, I've only read Killer Angels and that was so long ago (1994? when it's paperback was in front of the checkout counters of all the bookstores?), it was before I became seriously interested in the war. I vaugely recall that I liked it, but it was not something that spurred me into a greater interest in the war.


-

 

[5fish]

Dad win!

It looks like dad is kicking his son's tail in this friendly contest...more votes needed to tell to sure.


Now go VOTE!

 

[Oxkern]

I too picked up 'The Killer Angels' in a thrift store. I've really been struggling to conjure up the necessary enthusiasm to get beyond the first four chapters or so. I'm find the writing style far too basic, and the characterisation far too flat.

 

[M E Wolf]

Dear List Members,

I had purchased Gettysburg, in DVD and then after liking Gettysburg; I bought the DVD movie Gods and Generals.

I do believe the DVD Gettysburg was better then Gods and Generals, to which at the end; the mention of 'Last Full Measure' was to be the last trilogy.

Because there was no DVD of "Last Full Measure"--the last installment of the trilogy; I bought the hard cover book by Jeff Shaara. To see what I am missing. I was glad the book was rather 'simplistic' and an easy read. I don't like to read, when I can watch it on DVD. So, I purchased Killer Angels and Gods and Generals in hardback book form. In reading the book; it is more historically accurate as far as people involved and can see where the DVD had taken great license to produce their works.

I also keep in mind, Jeff (the son) is trying to walk in his father's literary foot prints. Michael Shaara was a professional writer and his son Jeff has no formal 'writing' training. So, of course he won't shine like his father! However, I see Jeff using Michael's format of Killer Angels.
I do think Jeff has found success by learning from his estranged father's writing technique with Killer Angels. Now, that said -- I really do appreciate how the book is chaptered as to move our mind and focus from one character to another and not mix them.

Further, no book today can really tell 'the story' as well as those who originally created the story by participation. Seeing through their eyes via their official reports, letters home, etc.; will never be accurate as we're a cynical bunch I believe and, very easy to 'arm chair quarterback' from our modern times and scientific methods. But, I can honestly state that, the movie Gettysburg had awakened a sleeping interest in the Civil War.

For me, as an equestrian -- this war [Ref. Civil War] was the first American war that made more use of the horse and great changes of the Cavalry and Artillery Horses. In addition, the 'Iron Horse' (Railroad), weaponry and change of battle tactics that started to abandon the old as weapons affected the tactics. The invention of new methods of killing.

In addition -- I've never known, prior to Jeff Shaara--to be 'available' via his web site. The fact that Jeff invites constructive advice and comments; shows me that he is indeed trying to be a better writer and 'story teller.' I don't see other authors so 'reachable.'

Just some thoughts.

M. E. Wolf

 

[FSPowers]

The Killer Angels was the best Gettysburg book written, IMHO.

 

[Rebelchick318]

For me it's definitely The Killer Angels. I have read this book over and over again and I never seem to get bored with it.

 

[Ashbel]

Killer Angels is a great book. I have recommended it to many people over the years and everyone has enjoyed it.