by Michael Shaara
Ballantine Books, 1974. 374 pages. Fiction.
I recently re-read this book and was reminded why I often recommend it for anyone interested in the Civil War or Historical fiction. This is the story of the Battle of Gettysburg told from the perspective of the generals and other leaders from both the Confederate and Union Armies. Though this is a work of fiction, the forward explains that Shaara, to be as accurate as possible, researched the personal letters and writings of the key men involved.
The first half of the book is slower in pace as the armies slowly converge on the small town of Gettysburg and position themselves. The book culminates with the intense and bloody Pickett's Charge up Little Round Top.
The book is far more than an account of this seminal battle. What interests me most is the look into the minds of these famous military leaders, how they interacted with each other, how war affected them, and the cost their mistakes had on themselves and their men.
AJ
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