bkbailey8521's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mahonp92's review against another edition
5.0
I now understand the praise for this series. Incredible writing makes you feel the emotion of these historic events.
stephen_angliss's review against another edition
4.0
What a profound book. Such winsome characters... trapped within such tragic times. There are moments in this story that give you no other choice but to pause and look up. For me, it was Thomas Jackson reading 2 Cor 5:1 to his beloved wife before leaving for duty. A house divided cannot stand, but God's House will stand eternal. Man what a beautiful reminder...
"For we know that if this earthy tent is destroyed, we have a House of God, a house not made with human hands."
"For we know that if this earthy tent is destroyed, we have a House of God, a house not made with human hands."
zena_ryder's review against another edition
4.0
I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the trilogy... but not enough that I'm reading it right away.
hskey's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly good. The battles are well described, the inner thoughts of the major characters make sense and you feel for everyone involved. I found the pacing a bit slow and the last third definitely lost me a bit and felt repetitive. Weaving in real tactics from the battles was very cool. As I'm reading more historical fiction, I realize I should do more research prior to reading so I have a better fundamental understanding of the goings on. Was surprised the author chose to highlight both sides and not really have a set protagonist antagonist and not mention slavery that much but I suppose the Civil War was about more than that? Not sure, a bit confused about that. I guess history isn't always as clean cut as good vs bad so this probably was a good decision by the author. Following in his father's footsteps is super cool, looking forward to the Killer Angels.
faiththompson416's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Didn't do much for me- Killer Angels is much better. Jeff also just doesn't have the voice his father did. And there's no Longstreet in this book :(
But two stars because you know. Civil War buff and unashamed. :)
But two stars because you know. Civil War buff and unashamed. :)
jaclynday's review against another edition
5.0
I'll read anything by a Shaara. Some of the best historical fiction you can find.
caitlin_89's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so great. I really didn't know a thing about the Civil War. I have a much better idea now. Shaara brings to life the real people behind the war heroes.
jkrudop's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third book I've ready by Jeff Shaara. When I first started reading his novels I had trouble with his writing style of combining independent clauses, but was eventually able to get past it. This is one of the best civil war fictional novels I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed his character development and historical relativity. If I didn't know any better, I would have never guessed that this was his first novel.
The book follows the perspectives of Robert E. Lee, Winfield Scott Hancock, Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson, J.E.B. Stuart, and James Longstreet. It provides thorough perspective of each officer, their family background and the extraordinary challenges they experienced during the high-point of the war in the east. The timeline covers the period leading up to secession and ends with Chancellorsville, specifically, following the epic conflict between the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac. I don't know the author's true sentiments, but I came away with a real respect for Robert E. Lee as a man and a leader, as opposed to the heroic demagogue that the South has created. In the book, I could feel his challenges as he built the Army of Northern Virginia and cultivated an army that experienced staggering loss. Stonewall Jackson was an interesting character that helped develop Lee's reputation and contributed most to his success in the field until his death at Chancellorsville. On the other hand I left with a sadness for the lack of success for the Army of the Potomac. They just couldn't seem to get it right, but that was the nature of the Union army in the east under Halleck. I'm certainly interested in reading his father's novel, the Killer Angels, which covers Gettysburg, then Shaara's final novel. I definitely recommend this novel for anyone interested in historical fiction and the civil war.
The book follows the perspectives of Robert E. Lee, Winfield Scott Hancock, Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson, J.E.B. Stuart, and James Longstreet. It provides thorough perspective of each officer, their family background and the extraordinary challenges they experienced during the high-point of the war in the east. The timeline covers the period leading up to secession and ends with Chancellorsville, specifically, following the epic conflict between the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac. I don't know the author's true sentiments, but I came away with a real respect for Robert E. Lee as a man and a leader, as opposed to the heroic demagogue that the South has created. In the book, I could feel his challenges as he built the Army of Northern Virginia and cultivated an army that experienced staggering loss. Stonewall Jackson was an interesting character that helped develop Lee's reputation and contributed most to his success in the field until his death at Chancellorsville. On the other hand I left with a sadness for the lack of success for the Army of the Potomac. They just couldn't seem to get it right, but that was the nature of the Union army in the east under Halleck. I'm certainly interested in reading his father's novel, the Killer Angels, which covers Gettysburg, then Shaara's final novel. I definitely recommend this novel for anyone interested in historical fiction and the civil war.
aublar's review against another edition
5.0
Great book that makes the Civil War really come alive! It's a true story but written like a fiction novel.