Jeff Shaara
Civil War Trilogy: Gods and Generals : A Novel of the Civil War (Series #1) (Paperback)
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3.89 stars out of 9 reviews
9 reviews
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3.89 out of 5stars
(9 reviews)
Most helpful positive review
4.00 out of 5 stars review
Verified Purchaser
07/13/2015
This book could be con...
This book could be considered the prequel to THE KILLER ANGELS (reviewed separately), written by Mr. Shaara's father. This book takes a unique perspective leading up to the Civil War, introducing us to the notable historical figures in that confrontation. Mr. Shaara shares with the reader, through excellent characterization and dialogue why the Civil war was so important to these men. The author manages to bring to life the years leading up to the Civil War. Seemingly historically accurate, this book answered many of my questions about why this battle even happened. Obviously, the dialogue and innermost thoughts expressed by the "characters" in this book are speculation but the book did serve it's purpose for me. It did answer any questions in my mind in a colorful, non-textbook way.Although, as mentioned, I generally shy away from "war" books, I do enjoy historical fiction and in my opinion, this was historical fiction at its best.
ChristineEllei
Most helpful negative review
3.00 out of 5 stars review
Verified Purchaser
03/16/2017
I perform yet another ...
I perform yet another reread of this first in the series of historic fiction. Characters we know from the civil war are personalized and given dialogue to illustrate story line. Lee, Jackson, Hancock and Chamberlain are the four characters chosen by the author to view the war, and we learn a lot about them. Through Hancock and Chamberlain, we see the Union leadership flailing for one who can lead. if you don't enjoy detailed instruction about battles, this book is not yours. It won't make much sense audibly, without a map or a memory of the ground. Great way to read a history lesson.
buffalogr
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4.00 out of 5 stars reviewVerified Purchaser08/30/2019Mostly 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.hskey
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3.00 out of 5 stars reviewVerified Purchaser03/16/2017I perform yet another ...I perform yet another reread of this first in the series of historic fiction. Characters we know from the civil war are personalized and given dialogue to illustrate story line. Lee, Jackson, Hancock and Chamberlain are the four characters chosen by the author to view the war, and we learn a lot about them. Through Hancock and Chamberlain, we see the Union leadership flailing for one who can lead. if you don't enjoy detailed instruction about battles, this book is not yours. It won't make much sense audibly, without a map or a memory of the ground. Great way to read a history lesson.buffalogr
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4.00 out of 5 stars reviewVerified Purchaser07/13/2015This book could be con...This book could be considered the prequel to THE KILLER ANGELS (reviewed separately), written by Mr. Shaara's father. This book takes a unique perspective leading up to the Civil War, introducing us to the notable historical figures in that confrontation. Mr. Shaara shares with the reader, through excellent characterization and dialogue why the Civil war was so important to these men. The author manages to bring to life the years leading up to the Civil War. Seemingly historically accurate, this book answered many of my questions about why this battle even happened. Obviously, the dialogue and innermost thoughts expressed by the "characters" in this book are speculation but the book did serve it's purpose for me. It did answer any questions in my mind in a colorful, non-textbook way.Although, as mentioned, I generally shy away from "war" books, I do enjoy historical fiction and in my opinion, this was historical fiction at its best.ChristineEllei
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4.00 out of 5 stars reviewVerified Purchaser08/26/2014Gods and Generals is a...Gods and Generals is a work of historical fiction by Jeff Shaara set in the time shortly before the Civil War and ending just prior to the battle of Gettysburg. It is written as a prequel to a work of the author's father, Killer Angels, which I understand to be focused on the events of Gettysburg. The central characters of Gods and Generals are Robert E. Lee, Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. As the story unfolds it shows these men during the time before the war. All except Chamberlain were military men whose careers were essentially languishing and there is little evident about them prior to the war that would suggest what they would be capable of accomplishing when leading men into battle. My understanding is that each of these central characters, Jackson excepted because of his death at the immediately previous battle, looms large over the landscape of Gettysburg. While a work of fiction I believe that Shaara does a good job at capturing the likely internal thoughts of both his central the many supporting characters during the first half of the Civil War. He shows their strengths and weaknesses, their frustrations in dealing with the politics of the respective governments, as well as the politics within the army that often had a direct consequence on the field of battle. I enjoyed this very readable book.BradKautz
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4.00 out of 5 stars reviewVerified Purchaser04/07/2011Gods and Generals focu...Gods and Generals focuses on the men who shaped the early part of the American Civil War through the different points of view from both the Union and Confederate sides. Through the eyes of Winfield Scott Hancock and Joshua Chamberlain we see the ineptitude of the Union leadership and the frustration of losing the first major battles of the War Between the States. The Confederate narrative of Robert E. Lee tells of the struggle to choose between country and homeland. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson epitomizes the fierce will of the southerners to defeat the Yankee "invasion." This is not an easy war to understand or write about. However, through the skill and passion of Jeff Shaara, history comes alive as he provides a foundation of the tumultuous years of 1858 - 1863 when two armies "led by fallible egos and blind fantasies of men" collided. Every American would benefit from reading this fictionalized but accurate historical account of a sad and bloody time in our nation's past.Donna828
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4.00 out of 5 stars reviewVerified Purchaser01/05/2010I liked the book due t...I liked the book due to its fast paced and "man on the ground" type of feel. Mr. Shaara writes well about battles and the history - in an overview sense - is mostly accurate mainly concentrating on Manassas, Fredricksburg and Chancellorsville. As in most of Mr. Shaara's books this one is also "historical fiction", an oxymoron if you ever head one, and is a very interesting character study of the major players. I especially enjoyed the characters of Jackson and Chamberlin and give thanks to this book for sparking my interest in those two fascinating figures which prompted me to read more about them. It is a very nice complement to history books and biographies I have previously read.ZoharLaor
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4.00 out of 5 stars reviewVerified Purchaser02/18/2009I had read The Killer...I had read "The Killer Angels" several years ago, so I was hopeful that this book could live up to its predecessor. About halfway through, I realized that I was drawn into this book and into the lives of the characters even more. I think the glimpses of the lives of Lee, Hancock, Jackson and Chamberlain before they became household names took them out of history for me and made them people. I would recommend this book as a stand alone read or as the start of a wonderful trilogy for any reader interested in American or military history.Jthierer
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4.00 out of 5 stars reviewVerified Purchaser02/13/2009If you arent familiar...If you aren't familiar with Mike and Jeff Shaara's works, this is not a typical history. It is the story of the early days of the civil war, told from the point of view of a small group of officers on both sides. Instead of recountings of battles, the author follows each author before, during and after the battle, from their first person point of view. This really gives you the feel of the war, though not a lot of military detail, and only some battles are covered. Its facinating to read, and still good history.Karlstar
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4.00 out of 5 stars reviewVerified Purchaser04/29/2008Jeff doesnt quite sha...Jeff doesn't quite share his father's ability to spin a great story. "Gods and Generals" was a nice tribute to the legacy his father began with "Killer Angels" but barely meets it's glory. The book was informational but didn't draw me to the characters the way "Killer Angels" had. A nice continuation of the story and not a bad read, but it doesn't hold a place in my heart like "Killer Angels" does.Joles