The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War

Best account of America's greatest battle. Stays true to the history. If jeb Stuart hadn't derelekted his duty or lee had simply listened to Longstreet, the army of Northern Virginia would have marched into Washington DC before the end of July.

For anyone who thinks the fighting at Gettysburg was simply a large battle in a big field, Shaara has painted a moving picture of the three-day battle that reveals not only the intricacies of the Civil War, but the personal lives and thoughts of the men who fought in it. By taking first-hand accounts written in journals and letters, Shaara has woven together a piece of historical fiction that reads like a best-selling novel, but which carries with it the significance of actual events gone by. This is a must-read for anyone even remotely interested in America's history.

I just finished my second read of this book, the first was more than 12 years ago when I was a young lieutenant as a recommendation to junior officers. This time I read it because I now reside near a battlefield in Virginia, and it is near impossible escaping Civil War history here. I really liked being able to follow the story from the perspective of the different personalities: Lee, Longstreet, Chamberlain, and others. If possible, read the story in chronological order: Gods and Generals, Killer Angels...