Book Thoughts: "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara

Honestly, this is one of the best works of historical fiction I've ever read. Shaara writes a pretty good over-arching account of the battle, highlighting a good chunk of the pertinent action. The story is primarily told through the POV of Longstreet and Lee for the CSA and Chamberlain for the USA. However, the passages from the first day are primarily told through Buford for the USA, and the climactic chapter about Pickett's charge is told through the POV of Armistead, who dies on the field.

Once in awhile, particularly in the Chamberlain passages, the book bogs down a little bit, but all in all the action moves steadily forward. I really appreciated the unique life given to all of the characters. It was interesting to read about Lee as such a vunerable character, as Shaara writes of the heart disease that would eventually kill him taking hold even here, on the eve of one of the great battles in American History.

A stunning and unique novel which leaves the reader impressed with the caliber of men who fought under both flags during those bloody days in July, 1863. Check it out.