The Killer Angels

[sfhogman]

Just finished re-reading "The Killer Angels ", by Michael Shaara. This is the book on which the movie "Gettysburg " was based.
Recommended. If you've not read it, you have a treat in store.

Jeff

 

[coach]

I read it was a while ago . It was a good read. Actually my daughter gave it to me after she read it in high school.

 

[Daveboone]

Great book. The author died after its publications, and his son Jeff wrote two accompanying books, Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure, for a trilogy on the CW. G+G was his first book, but not bad at all, and LFM was even better. We have the movie disc for Gettysburg, and it is one of our favorite movies...it inspired us to go there, to where we have returned three more times.
Gods and Generals was also turned into a movie by the same director...Historically very accurate and great acting, but it didn't do well at the theater.

 

[32magfan]

I read it many years ago. Michael Shaara also wrote “For Love of the Game”.

His son Jeff has continued the books about the Civil War and Revolutionary War.

All good stuff. :wink:

32Magfan

 

[toysoldier]

I don't remember the titles, but I read his books about the American Revolution and the Mexican-American war. Also The Rising Tide, about the North African and Italian campaign in WWII. Shaara is an excellent author.

 

[BearBio]

I loved when the guy came in and said the Rebs were fighting for their "rats"!

 

[Bodie]

I loved when the guy came in and said the Rebs were fighting for their "rats"!

Think that was in Outlaw Josey Wales

 

[Daveboone]

It was Gettysburg...The Reb was a prisoner, and Colonel Chamberlain was asking him why they were fighting.

 

[blackhawknj]

Shaara didn't like Meade, and wrote him out of the book. Which was unfair, Meade was only appointed to command on June 28. It has often been said of Gettysburg that Lee fought like the Union generals, and Meade fought like Lee.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Shaara didn't like Meade, and wrote him out of the book. Which was unfair, Meade was only appointed to command on June 28. It has often been said of Gettysburg that Lee fought like the Union generals, and Meade fought like Lee.

Gettysburg is the one battle where LEE did not pick the battle ground and his defensive position.

Most people claim Lee lost at Sharpsburg (Antietam for you Yankees) when in actuality, Lee not only picked his defensive positions, but also accomplished his goal of pulling the THREE sections of his army BACK together and cross the Potomac back into Virginia He was also holding waiting for Jackson to arrive after destroying Harpers Ferry Arms factory. The Sunken Road happened due to an officer misunderstanding an order and pulling back his cannons. They DO NOT tell you that the UNION dead was stacked like cord wood out in front of the road and far out numbered the dead Confederates.

 

[blackhawknj]

A number of Confederate officers referred to Antietam as "Artillery Hell" and the Union artillery was a major factor in Lee's decision to withdraw.

 

[Bull Barrel]

It was Gettysburg...The Reb was a prisoner, and Colonel Chamberlain was asking him why they were fighting.

No, it was Col. Chamberlain's brother asking the Rebs.
I watched Gods and Generals once. Too much of what I call, "speechifyin".
No action and lots of one person on camera delivering a speech.
Gettysburg I can watch over and over. Haven't watched in a while.

 

[Thumbcocker]

double post.

 

[Thumbcocker]

Chamberlin was wounded at Fredricksburg and lay all night on the field among the dead. His wound never fully healed and he had to fight to get a small pension in his later years. Sad. I always felt Longstreet got much less credit than he deserved. Longstreet picked the ground at Fredricksburg and advised against Pickett's charge. Ole Pete had an eye for ground and knew what infantry fighting from good cover could do.

 

[bogus bill]

My great, great grandpappy was wounded at Gettysburg. He was with the 2nd volunteers from Wisconsin`s Black hat Iron Brigade. Before Gettysburg he was taken prisoner at Brawlers farm and either escaped or was traded out as he later was shot in the arm at Gettysburg. He was born in Germany.

 

[Razor]

Gods and Generals was also turned into a movie by the same director...Historically very accurate and great acting, but it didn't do well at the theater.

I actually like G&G, but I totally understand why it wasn’t well received.
It is quite ponderous.

I’m still quite bummed the The Last Full Measure never got made.