The Killer Angels

[sfhogman]

By Michael Shaara.
I'm rereading it for perhaps the third time. This is the book that the movie, "Gettysburg"
was taken from. If you have not read it and enjoy American history, I would recommend it.
Available just about anywhere; it's not a new book. Enjoy.

Jeff

 

[Sagebrush Burns]

Even though it is "fiction", it is about as good a book about the battle of Gettysburg as there is.

 

[wolfsong]

And then you MUST read "Gods and Generals" written by Shaara's son Jeff. It's a prequel to The Killer Angels, focusing on the events leading to the division of the country after Lincoln was elected president and the aftermath. It follows the development of Lee, Hancock, Jackson and Chamberlain and their moral, spiritual and personal conflicts with the war. GREAT read!

 

[sfhogman]

Your recommendation is good enough for me, Wolfie.
Just ordered it.

Jeff

 

[Snake45]

I'd always wanted to know what actually happened at Gettysburg. About 20 years ago, I asked a CW nut friend to recommend ONE book I could read that would clearly explain the battle. He suggested KA and I went out and bought it and read it.

It was somewhat entertaining, but it taught me virtually nothing about the battle itself. I suspect that if you already knew all about the battle, it would have been a much more rewarding and entertaining read.

Then I went to the library and got the Time-Life book on Gettysburg and read it cover to cover and THAT explained the situation about as well as I could possibly hope. Should have started there in the first place.

A couple years ago was some important Gettysburg anniversary (150th year?) and several one-off "collectors edition" books showed up at the local newsstand. I bought two of them. One was pretty good--informative and well illustrated. The other one was full of PC garbage and was at least 50% about slavery, the role of blacks and women in the war, and other such leftist tripe--a complete and utter waste of money.

I did enjoy the Gettysburg movie, though.

 

[coach]

My daughter gave it to me after reading it in high school. Definately a good historical fiction.
Chip Wegar's podcast Killing Time has an episode featuring the battle that I liked too.

 

[wolfsong]

Snake, ya shoulda bought a text book to begin with, if all ya wanted was the Xs and Os.

Shaara's book at least reinforced that Lee screwed the pooch big time at Gettysburg and sealed the outcome of the war.

 

[blackhawknj]

For whatever reason Shaara took a dislike to Meade and wrote him out of the book. Except for letting Sickles get too far forward on the left flank, Meade fought a very good battle, made good use of terrain, kept plenty of troops in reserve, used his cavalry to screen his forces.

 

[Snake45]

Snake, ya shoulda bought a text book to begin with, if all ya wanted was the Xs and Os.

That was exactly what I asked my friend for, and KA is what he recommended. Maybe he enjoyed it. Me, not so much.

It might have worked better for me if I'd read it after the clear, logical, well-illustrated Time-Life book.

BTW, I'd already taken the bus tour of Gettysburg twice and seen the famous Electric Map, and I still didn't understand it. The thing wrong with "Gettysburg people" is that they're all VERY well educated in their subject, and assume everyone they're talking to is. It's as if you or I starting talking about the finer points of various guns with someone who had NO experience whatsoever with them.

But I'm good now. The Time-Life book got me right. :wink:

 

[Colonialgirl]

Always remember, Gettysburg was an accidental battle at a site that General Robert E.Lee did NOT pick.

 

[wolfsong]

True. Neither side "picked" that site. However, Lee CHOSE to engage instead of withdrawing while there was ample time to do so. The Union forces were not in pursuit more. Tactical mistakes were made by Lee. It cost him the war.

 

[Sagebrush Burns]

If you want another really excellent book about the battle, try "High Tide at Gettysburg" by Glenn Tucker. Full of really excellent details about the battle, often regiment by regiment, and easy reading.