Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #219071 in Books
• Published on: 1999-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 3
• Binding: Paperback

Synopsis
Presents a collection of three novels that present a fictionalized account of the battles of the Civil War.

Customer Reviews

Excellent, excellent and excellent!
Several months ago I saw the movie "Gettysburg" based on Michael Saara's novel- The Killer Angels. Since I was deeply moved by the film I decided to buy the book. I couldn't put it down- it was even stronger that the film. M Saara didn't try to stick to one side of the story: he wrote it from the point of view of those who took part in the Civil War with no regard to the colour of their uniform. He portrays us the battles and the feelings of the soldiers from both camps in an intelligent and beautiful way and style. After his father's death, Jeff Saara decided to continue his work by writing two other books which all together make a wonderful and touching trilogy. The two novels written by Jeff are as good as 'The Killer Angels' and I would like to shake his hand and tell him how breathtaking and deeply human this trilogy is. Good work! Don't miss it!

A brilliant account of the tregedy that was the Civil War.
I'm not noted for my literary interests but this trilogy had me spellbound from page to page. I'd visited some Civil War sites on recent visits to the US and, on the recommendation of a colleague from Queen's College in Charlotte, NC, I watched the film Gettysburg.

This film set the scene for me and the books provided graphic and 'realistic' first-hand accounts of the various actions in the war and the roles played by the leading characters.

I have a good friend (a Texan) who, when I ask him about recent US military leaders, is given to adding "... but his grandfather fought on the right (or wrong) side in the Civil War."

So, in truth, I started to read these books with a bias towards the South and its cause. So skilful is the writing that, in the end, right and wrong were meaningless and I was simply overwhelmed by the tragedy that was the Civil War.

The intimate insights into the characters and the impact the war had on their pre-war relationships served to illustrate so vividly the heartrending and catastrophic effect that war has on the people caught up in its wake.

I commend this trilogy of books to you.

Outstanding trilogy, a must for history lovers
These three books should be required reading in school. Very eye opening to the horrors of war.

Gods and Generals - Fascinating portrayal of a sad time in US History, as told from the perspectives of the generals involved in these campaigns. I was most particularly moved by Lee and his torn loyalties to the US Army and his home state of Virginia, and most especially by the great Stonewall Jackson. I've come across the names in history classes (oh so long ago) and the occasional novel covering this period, but it was wonderful to have them brought to life as this author did, and we are once again reminded that was is indeed h***. One moment in the book that particularly touched me was during a retreat of Federal soldiers. One of them slipped in the mud and was told that since the general decreed the roads to be in good condition therefore there is no mud. Four stars instead of five as the author's habit of inserting a comma instead of the word "and" was a bit of a distration for me.

The Killer Angels - The author brings the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War to life in this wonderful novel. He uses the alternating views from the officers of both sides of the conflict, thus making you feel as you are right with them, culminating in the horrific and tragic end of the battle. I was truly saddened by the incredible loss of life due to the mistakes of the priveleged few, the generals. No wonder they say Gettysburg is one of the most haunted places in America.

The Last Full Measure - I think this book, and the two preceding it should be required reading in school. I had no idea how horrific this war was, particularly more so as the brutalities committed on both sides were against our own. There were so many moments when I wanted to stop and cry for the loss of life, and especially at the end when the one man who was capable of healing the country and bringing us all back together as one nation, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated.

The research was impeccable and telling the story from the viewpoints of the various generals absolutely fascinating. The honorable Robert E. Lee, Chamberlain (loved his gracious salute to the surrendering army), and the ever fascinating U.S. Grant.

One quote from so many in the book that just brought tears to my eyes: "Yes, it was horrible, horrible indeed. But he had to tell himself that, remind himself to see it that way. There was no sickening revulsion, no outrage, no indignation at the barbarism. It was just one more scene from this war, one more horror, one more mass of death, blending together with all the rest."

Highly highly recommended.