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Shiloh #1
They Met at Shiloh
Shiloh. In Hebrew it means 'place of peace'. An apt name for a tiny Methodist chapel close to the banks of the Tennessee river. It has borne witness to christenings, weddings, and funerals. Its parishioners are thankful for their peace.Peace, that is, until Grant's Union army arrives to take up every available space in and around the church and on all of the community's farm land.Within his camps are soldiers that are simple, scared, green, boastful, veteran, and foolish, all hoping that they do not shirk their sworn oaths. They are full of hope that soon they will sally forth and give battle to their enemy, thirty four miles away.Or so they think.Battle is less than a few miles away as another army of green and untried soldiers is marching, stealing up upon the Union army's encampment with the Tennessee river at its back and no hope of immediate reinforcement. These Confederates are full of hope too, hope that they will not shrink from their oaths when the fire is the most intense and their friends are falling left and right.Battles are planned by the generals, but they are fought by the soldiers; the simple, the scared, the green, the boastful, the veteran, and the foolish.They Met at Shiloh is a civil war historical novel. In the tradition of Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels and All Quiet on the Western Front, you'll smell the powder and suffer the anguish of loss and understand why soldiers above all else prefer peace to war.Grab the first and penultimate start to a journey through the American Civil War in the western theater and experience the war from the ranks as a soldier.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2011
1043 people are currently reading
1528 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 17, 2022
This ebook had everything I wanted in a Civil War story. A must read for anyone interested in the War Between the States.
April 1, 2014
Phillip Bryant’s book is not your everyday Civil War story. It personalizes the war following the human journey of an artillary battery and an infantry troop from opposite sides of the engagement. The last major war fought by troops that lined up and fired on one another the cost in human life and mysery is incalcuable. Compared with cruise missiles and drones launched from vast distances and sniper rifles that can shoot from a mile away this war was up close and personal. A don’t shoot until you can see the whites of their eyes kind of war.
Yes there are battles but as we switch back and forth between North and South, Union and Rebel it is the human touch that assumes importance. Waiting for coffee to brew. Looking for the bodies of missing comrades, burial details, camp life, bravery and cowardice. A wounded or dying man knows no side nor does he care from whence cometh his aide. The common soldier supports his unit; the cause matters little in the long run. The man he kills is not all that different from himself. In this war they may even have been neighbours. In death and injury they rest together.
Yes there are battles but as we switch back and forth between North and South, Union and Rebel it is the human touch that assumes importance. Waiting for coffee to brew. Looking for the bodies of missing comrades, burial details, camp life, bravery and cowardice. A wounded or dying man knows no side nor does he care from whence cometh his aide. The common soldier supports his unit; the cause matters little in the long run. The man he kills is not all that different from himself. In this war they may even have been neighbours. In death and injury they rest together.
July 4, 2019
This is a fairly interesting book with an overview of the 1862 battle of Shiloh in Tennessee. The author has chosen to tell the battle through the eyes of the common soldiers of both sides. If you know anything about the actual battle, it helps bcause the descriptions are vague, relying more on the impressions of the soldiers.
As I said, it is interesting, but has some faults, including the need for a better proofreader to correct mistakes. Also, I understand the use of untranslated German, but it is disconcerting to the flow of the story. There are quite a few characters introduced throughout the book, and quite a bit of sermonizing, which I think was overdone. All in all, it's not a bad book, but could have been so much better.
As I said, it is interesting, but has some faults, including the need for a better proofreader to correct mistakes. Also, I understand the use of untranslated German, but it is disconcerting to the flow of the story. There are quite a few characters introduced throughout the book, and quite a bit of sermonizing, which I think was overdone. All in all, it's not a bad book, but could have been so much better.
Want to read
April 3, 2012Free today on kindle 4.3.12. HF based on a Civil War battle...
March 23, 2013
Unlike Stephen Crane's Red Badge of Courage, They Met at Shiloh Gives us Hope
I think I was required to read The Red Badge of Courage in High School. Normally a compliant student, I failed to complete that assignment. I don't really like war stories, particularly graphically realistic and gruesome ones. I did, however, finish reading They Met at Shiloh. Yes, there is extreme realism in the description of the battle scenes and aftermath. But even if you're very squeamish like me, here's why you should read it anyway.
I swear I was there, trudging down those endless roads, rolling up those bedrolls, changing from my nightcap to my forage cap, hot, cold, sweat-soaked and rain-soaked, right along with these characters. Phillip, Stephen, Michael, Robert -- I know them. Bryant gives such a richness of detail to his scenes, his clothing, and his characters. I smelled the powder and the blood. I saw that horrible pool you must read about to understand.
Above all else, I saw how real men felt and described their different Christian faiths, something glaringly missing from anything Stephen Crane might have written. Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, as well as those who only scratched their heads at another's belief (or screamed that it was hypocritical and false) all had their say. Crane gave us no hope. Bryant didn't "save" everybody, or straighten everybody out to one belief, even. He let them grope, struggle, and come to grips or turn away in bewilderment as real men do.
That isn't to say the message of what brings a man peace in Christ wasn't clear. It was realistically presented, but not everybody understood what was happening or how it applied to them. Green soldiers think they understand how to do battle before they really engage. Some run. Some fumble. Some understand and do exactly what they must to do their duty. So it is with the lost. As prepared or unprepared as they may be by our poor efforts, God gives the increase.
I think I was required to read The Red Badge of Courage in High School. Normally a compliant student, I failed to complete that assignment. I don't really like war stories, particularly graphically realistic and gruesome ones. I did, however, finish reading They Met at Shiloh. Yes, there is extreme realism in the description of the battle scenes and aftermath. But even if you're very squeamish like me, here's why you should read it anyway.
I swear I was there, trudging down those endless roads, rolling up those bedrolls, changing from my nightcap to my forage cap, hot, cold, sweat-soaked and rain-soaked, right along with these characters. Phillip, Stephen, Michael, Robert -- I know them. Bryant gives such a richness of detail to his scenes, his clothing, and his characters. I smelled the powder and the blood. I saw that horrible pool you must read about to understand.
Above all else, I saw how real men felt and described their different Christian faiths, something glaringly missing from anything Stephen Crane might have written. Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, as well as those who only scratched their heads at another's belief (or screamed that it was hypocritical and false) all had their say. Crane gave us no hope. Bryant didn't "save" everybody, or straighten everybody out to one belief, even. He let them grope, struggle, and come to grips or turn away in bewilderment as real men do.
That isn't to say the message of what brings a man peace in Christ wasn't clear. It was realistically presented, but not everybody understood what was happening or how it applied to them. Green soldiers think they understand how to do battle before they really engage. Some run. Some fumble. Some understand and do exactly what they must to do their duty. So it is with the lost. As prepared or unprepared as they may be by our poor efforts, God gives the increase.
July 20, 2019
The battle of Shiloh through the eyes of a few characters from both sides.
I've read quite a few book on the civil war and that knowledge makes me say that Phillip Bryant knows his subject. And he shares this knowledge without pretention through dozens of small details of army life on march, on camp, in battle and after that makes this depiction of this bloody confrontation all the more vivid.
Don't expect an operational/tactical view of the battle. This book is at the level of the ordinary grunt with his level of knowledge of what's unfolding, meaning not much. What matters is to stand and load amidst the smoke, the shrapnels, the yells, expecting the enemy to break first and hoping to find your pals back at camp when it's over.
Characters often debate on a religious theme about the righteousness of one's cause, faith, etc. This might sound tedious to some but considering the place and time these kind of discussions look credible enough to me.
All in all a good depiction not so much of the battle of Shiloh itself but of the people who went through its maws and what they felt when at the core of the event.
I've read quite a few book on the civil war and that knowledge makes me say that Phillip Bryant knows his subject. And he shares this knowledge without pretention through dozens of small details of army life on march, on camp, in battle and after that makes this depiction of this bloody confrontation all the more vivid.
Don't expect an operational/tactical view of the battle. This book is at the level of the ordinary grunt with his level of knowledge of what's unfolding, meaning not much. What matters is to stand and load amidst the smoke, the shrapnels, the yells, expecting the enemy to break first and hoping to find your pals back at camp when it's over.
Characters often debate on a religious theme about the righteousness of one's cause, faith, etc. This might sound tedious to some but considering the place and time these kind of discussions look credible enough to me.
All in all a good depiction not so much of the battle of Shiloh itself but of the people who went through its maws and what they felt when at the core of the event.
March 15, 2017
“….. in death, they were just men and not so much my enemies.”
Monarchs and Heads of State declare wars, generals, and field officers strategize them, and the common soldiers sweat, suffer, bleed, and die in them; that is just the way of the world. It is both surprising and shocking to know that until the mid-Twentieth Century, more soldiers died of exposure, accident, and disease than as the result of enemy fire. This was the case with this war; a war that has gone down in the annals of history and written about in a multitude of books as the American Civil War.
The Civil War (1861-1865) remains to this day the bloodiest and most costly war the United States has ever waged. The loss of life and property has never been accurately epitomized, but accounts of individuals relate the personal suffering and loss incurred by Americans on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line.
The Battle of Shiloh was fought on April 6 and 7, 1862, between Confederate forces under General Albert Sidney Johnston and Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant. After two days of bitter fighting, the battle was undecided but left more than 23,000 casualties in its wake.
This book takes a look at the two-day battle at Shiloh and brings it up close and personal. Using the experiences of lower-echelon officers and men from both sides of the conflict, a picture is painted of a desperate struggle of life and death. As in all wars, theirs was not to reason why theirs was but to do or die.
Many books have been written about the American Civil War. This war, like all others, has so many stories yet untold. Everyone, soldiers or civilians, who lived through this conflict, has a story to tell. The stories, like their memories, are far from complete. As a mere footnote, I must add that the German conversations are atrocious but do serve as a prime example of the diversity of the troops that fought and died on both sides of the conflict. They Met at Shiloh spends as much or more time on the vicissitude of war and its aftermath; sketching a vividly horrible picture of the death and suffering that continues long after the guns are silenced.
This book in well written and relates the unspeakable horrors of war. It is meant to shock, it is meant to move, it is meant to show the fruitlessness of war. There is but a thin red line separating victory from defeat and at Shiloh soldiers on both sides walked this line, some faltering and some tenaciously struggling on. By just taking one battle of many, the lesson is taught of the hopelessness and helplessness of men caught in a violent frenzy, that they have no chance at all to control or escape. The men on both sides died for all Americans, without knowing why.
Monarchs and Heads of State declare wars, generals, and field officers strategize them, and the common soldiers sweat, suffer, bleed, and die in them; that is just the way of the world. It is both surprising and shocking to know that until the mid-Twentieth Century, more soldiers died of exposure, accident, and disease than as the result of enemy fire. This was the case with this war; a war that has gone down in the annals of history and written about in a multitude of books as the American Civil War.
The Civil War (1861-1865) remains to this day the bloodiest and most costly war the United States has ever waged. The loss of life and property has never been accurately epitomized, but accounts of individuals relate the personal suffering and loss incurred by Americans on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line.
The Battle of Shiloh was fought on April 6 and 7, 1862, between Confederate forces under General Albert Sidney Johnston and Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant. After two days of bitter fighting, the battle was undecided but left more than 23,000 casualties in its wake.
This book takes a look at the two-day battle at Shiloh and brings it up close and personal. Using the experiences of lower-echelon officers and men from both sides of the conflict, a picture is painted of a desperate struggle of life and death. As in all wars, theirs was not to reason why theirs was but to do or die.
Many books have been written about the American Civil War. This war, like all others, has so many stories yet untold. Everyone, soldiers or civilians, who lived through this conflict, has a story to tell. The stories, like their memories, are far from complete. As a mere footnote, I must add that the German conversations are atrocious but do serve as a prime example of the diversity of the troops that fought and died on both sides of the conflict. They Met at Shiloh spends as much or more time on the vicissitude of war and its aftermath; sketching a vividly horrible picture of the death and suffering that continues long after the guns are silenced.
This book in well written and relates the unspeakable horrors of war. It is meant to shock, it is meant to move, it is meant to show the fruitlessness of war. There is but a thin red line separating victory from defeat and at Shiloh soldiers on both sides walked this line, some faltering and some tenaciously struggling on. By just taking one battle of many, the lesson is taught of the hopelessness and helplessness of men caught in a violent frenzy, that they have no chance at all to control or escape. The men on both sides died for all Americans, without knowing why.
did-not-finish
February 19, 2024I was so bored and did not have any reason to care about these characters. I have plenty of other books that I want to read
November 19, 2012
I rather hope the author will rework this. It is highly atmospheric and places the reader firmly in the ranks of the Civil War soldiers as they suffer in the field at Shiloh. It reminds me of Keneally's 'Confederates', which is also flawed. But its good bits are very good.
For me this book falls down because its early focus on the various characters is blurred to non-existent. I found it extremely difficult in the first chapters to clearly distinguish one group from another. The transitions are too abrupt and the characters not well enough delineated. I feel it would have worked better if we had merely followed Pearson and his 'pards' though the hellish scenes. (Incidentally as someone pointed out pards was a word hammered to death.)
The philosophical differences between Michael and Mahoney and Robert's musings could be transferred to a single cohesive group. After all, this could be considered the tale of Pearson's redemption which would have given the novel a focus albeit a slightly different one and with the well-set scenes as a backdrop this could make a fine novel. The final para could as well apply to him as to Robert. I give this four stars for its potential and for 'feel' of the fighting.
For me this book falls down because its early focus on the various characters is blurred to non-existent. I found it extremely difficult in the first chapters to clearly distinguish one group from another. The transitions are too abrupt and the characters not well enough delineated. I feel it would have worked better if we had merely followed Pearson and his 'pards' though the hellish scenes. (Incidentally as someone pointed out pards was a word hammered to death.)
The philosophical differences between Michael and Mahoney and Robert's musings could be transferred to a single cohesive group. After all, this could be considered the tale of Pearson's redemption which would have given the novel a focus albeit a slightly different one and with the well-set scenes as a backdrop this could make a fine novel. The final para could as well apply to him as to Robert. I give this four stars for its potential and for 'feel' of the fighting.
January 26, 2019
I really hate when folks say “it’s chick lit” or some such rot. Good books cross gender lines. However, when I started Bryant’s book, I really struggled to get into it, and immediately thought it was a “guys” read. Thankfully, I kept reading.
They Met At Shiloh isn’t what I’d call a gripping read, but ever so slowly you begin to feel for the soldiers Bryant’s created. From the former preacher who left the pulpit after refusing to sugar coat a sinner’s death to the young, mentally challenged German immigrant who proves to be braver than his parts.
The first in Bryant’s Shiloh Series, They Met At Shiloh is more than historical fiction, more than vivid reimagining of battle scenes. It is a tale of forgiveness, humility, and redemption, and how those things are often found in the most unlikely of places.
I started this book impatiently anticipating its end. I finished it adding the rest of the series to my ‘want to read’ shelf.
They Met At Shiloh isn’t what I’d call a gripping read, but ever so slowly you begin to feel for the soldiers Bryant’s created. From the former preacher who left the pulpit after refusing to sugar coat a sinner’s death to the young, mentally challenged German immigrant who proves to be braver than his parts.
The first in Bryant’s Shiloh Series, They Met At Shiloh is more than historical fiction, more than vivid reimagining of battle scenes. It is a tale of forgiveness, humility, and redemption, and how those things are often found in the most unlikely of places.
I started this book impatiently anticipating its end. I finished it adding the rest of the series to my ‘want to read’ shelf.
April 10, 2015
The first in the Shiloh Series of books, a fictional story of two groups of people, the Infantry and the Artillery, of both sides of the Civil War. Taking place on the battlefield around Shiloh Church, it gives you the personal perspective of what life may have been like on the front lines looking the enemy in the face as an infantryman and the life as an artilleryman firing a cannon into the enemy from a distance.
It commands the feel of that comaradery usually only felt and understood by a soldier. In the midst of chaos it lets one feel the anger, fear and compasion that one experiences in combat.
This is the first of Phillip Bryants books I've read and I will be reading more.
It commands the feel of that comaradery usually only felt and understood by a soldier. In the midst of chaos it lets one feel the anger, fear and compasion that one experiences in combat.
This is the first of Phillip Bryants books I've read and I will be reading more.
April 25, 2013
Phillip Bryant has vast knowledge of the American Civil War which he successfully ties together in this multifaceted tale. The story reads more like a history book than an fictional account, so it pays to read carefully to capture to true depth of the battle at Shiloh. There are a vast amount of characters, which at times were hard to keep track of, but I like how each had a story of the path of their lives which led them up to that point. If you like Civil War fiction, this is definitely for you.
March 4, 2015
Extremely well written with vivid description from the "grunts" on both sides of the conflict. If you want to know the particulars of the Battle of Shiloh, you'll have to look at history sites, which I did to get the big picture. As in any war, those who fight on the front lines know only their orders and fear, yet go bravely ahead. The big picture is for generals and, later on, historians.
"They Met at Shiloh" brings the personal lives of the soldiers to the front.
"They Met at Shiloh" brings the personal lives of the soldiers to the front.
November 7, 2015
Liked the book but didn't love it. Thought the descriptions of the battle from different soldier's perspectives was good; very messy, very brutal, very realistic - especially how field hospitals were depicted; caring for both Union and Confederate wounded.
The book was a bit 'preachy' for me, but overall a good story about Shiloh.
The book was a bit 'preachy' for me, but overall a good story about Shiloh.
June 19, 2012
I really did enjoy this book, but I did occasionally struggle with keeping track of who was who, & with which battalion/or battle group. It really helped in that I had just visited the Shiloh battlefield earlier this year, so I already had an excellent awareness of all the area/topography!
October 24, 2012
Phil' Bryant's comprehensive grasp if civil war history combined with a sincere faith and a flair for storytelling make this to be a thoughtful, informative and enjoyable read. I recommend it! Looking forward to his next book.
August 7, 2015
Thought provoking
This is a well written book about one of the bloodiest and costliest battles of the Civil War. It brings to light the cost in human lives and how the soldiers perceived their thoughts and understanding of a loving caring GOD.
This is a well written book about one of the bloodiest and costliest battles of the Civil War. It brings to light the cost in human lives and how the soldiers perceived their thoughts and understanding of a loving caring GOD.
July 6, 2013
If you're interested in Civil War history this is the book for you. I don't know how these men stayed sane. you literally felt like you were there among the fighting. Well written.
May 11, 2013
good historical fiction, with good charactor development.
March 21, 2015
A Christian account of soldiers
A good description of the many variables that go thru a soldier during battle. A unbiased description of various religions
A good description of the many variables that go thru a soldier during battle. A unbiased description of various religions
July 25, 2024
Not the kind of book I would normally read, it placed me back in the harsh era of the Civil War.
March 11, 2018
Just finished THEY MET AT SHILOH by Phillip Bryant - a remarkable work. Set within the context of the devastation of the Battle of Shiloh with tens of thousands of Americans dead, it is the story of both Union and Confederate soldiers, their friends, trials, sufferings, death, survival, victory and defeat in battle....the makings of a good work of historical fiction. But what I find remarkable about the book is the incredible detail and information that accompanies the drama -- details of waging war, weapons, geography, politics, and more. The most remarkable feature of the book, however, is the author's ability to give insight -- to make human -- the characters, their hopes and fears, regrets, sorrows, motivation, psychology. Following conflict in his church, Robert Mitchell resigns his position and ordination as a Methodist pastor and enlists in the Union army as a private. Throughout the book, Mitchell is torn between his resigned calling and his soldier status, leading to numerous theological reflections, debates, and discussions around some profound ideas of life, death, eternity, and what it is to be a friend and comrade. Especially moving is the scene at the end of chapter 18 in which, following the battle, surrounded by the dead, Mitchell searches for one of his comrades. He finds him dying on the ground. The comrade asks Mitchell to administer Holy Communion to him before he dies. Mitchell refuses and is then surprised when numerous others around them, also dying, request the same -- Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, heathens -- Mitchell struggles with his conflict as former pastor and finally agrees. The prayer and liturgy Mitchell uses is neither biblical nor denominational. I had to read the scene three times before going on. I count this book as one of the best, most satisfying reads I've enjoyed. Five stars.
July 28, 2017
4/3/1862, Polk’s Battery East Corinth Rd.
Captain Michael Grierson (son/brother, narrator, 5th. Texas Artillery, Tennessee Battery), Private Robert Mitchell, Private Stephen Murdoch & William Banks growing up in that time era help narrate the story as to how/why the United States Civil War began/ended.
Pittsburg Landing, TN. 4/6-7/1862, Battle of Shiloh. Was fought between General Albert Sidney Johnston (Confederate) & General Ulysses S. Grant (Union).
As a retired US Army Vietnam vet, & history as 1 of my many undergrads, I love reading about war. Enough graphic detail about the Civil War has been lost, never told or buried from the past.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Civil War movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A little hard to follow at times but I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Smashwords; Instafreebie; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Captain Michael Grierson (son/brother, narrator, 5th. Texas Artillery, Tennessee Battery), Private Robert Mitchell, Private Stephen Murdoch & William Banks growing up in that time era help narrate the story as to how/why the United States Civil War began/ended.
Pittsburg Landing, TN. 4/6-7/1862, Battle of Shiloh. Was fought between General Albert Sidney Johnston (Confederate) & General Ulysses S. Grant (Union).
As a retired US Army Vietnam vet, & history as 1 of my many undergrads, I love reading about war. Enough graphic detail about the Civil War has been lost, never told or buried from the past.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Civil War movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A little hard to follow at times but I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Smashwords; Instafreebie; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
July 21, 2019
A remarkable story on the Civil War, made me feel as though I was there. You get to see the big picture of both sides from those that are fighting on the front lines – those that take their orders and fear and yet gravely march ahead. It brings out the personal lives of the soldiers that are on the front line. You learn how messy and brutal (very realistic) it was. How the field hospitals were by caring for both the Union and Confederate wounded soldier.
You learn how the men on both sides, camp life is and how he waited for the coffee to brew, how he went out looking for the bodies of his missing comrades and the burial details, It shows both bravery and cowardice.
The most moving part for me was when Mitchell was looking for an old comrade and found him dying and was ask for Holy Communion before he died and Mitchell refuses. Then he was surprised when several others around them request the same, and they are Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians, and Heathens. Mitchell was a former pastor and he struggles with his conflict but final agrees. His pray was neither biblical nor denominational, but was for every man there.
I felt so bad that it took so long to finish this book but had to go out of town before reading the last chapter so I ended up reading from the first chapter again; therefor I read it twice before I was done with it. It was that good.
You learn how the men on both sides, camp life is and how he waited for the coffee to brew, how he went out looking for the bodies of his missing comrades and the burial details, It shows both bravery and cowardice.
The most moving part for me was when Mitchell was looking for an old comrade and found him dying and was ask for Holy Communion before he died and Mitchell refuses. Then he was surprised when several others around them request the same, and they are Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians, and Heathens. Mitchell was a former pastor and he struggles with his conflict but final agrees. His pray was neither biblical nor denominational, but was for every man there.
I felt so bad that it took so long to finish this book but had to go out of town before reading the last chapter so I ended up reading from the first chapter again; therefor I read it twice before I was done with it. It was that good.
March 11, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this book. It is perhaps better suited to a Civil War buff, as the flow of the battles, retreats, advances, strategies, became boring to me. On the plus side, however, it gave me a feel for what it might be like to be a soldier, fighting your fears and relying on your training and each other. The book juxtaposed the events from both the Union and Confederate points of view. I almost abandoned this book a couple chapters in because I had a hard time keeping track of the characters, but I stuck with it and eventually sorted them out most of the time.
One thing that was particularly annoying was that some of the Union characters of German extraction spoke a mish-mosh of German and English, all in the same sentence. I don't mind foreign phrases in books, especially if they are translated by another character or if the meaning can be discerned from the context, and in fact I know a little basic German. But trying to wrap my brain around a sentence where every second or third word is interspersed with an English one was tiring, and needless. I think the characters' broken English spoke for itself; and an occasional all-German sentence would have sufficed.
One thing that was particularly annoying was that some of the Union characters of German extraction spoke a mish-mosh of German and English, all in the same sentence. I don't mind foreign phrases in books, especially if they are translated by another character or if the meaning can be discerned from the context, and in fact I know a little basic German. But trying to wrap my brain around a sentence where every second or third word is interspersed with an English one was tiring, and needless. I think the characters' broken English spoke for itself; and an occasional all-German sentence would have sufficed.
June 25, 2019
The bravery...and the horror...of war.I found this book a bit difficult to read because of its happiness. The author uses the device of dropping g in on several different companies of both the federal troops and those fighting for the confederate. I had a hard time keeping the people and the various companies and commanders straight. I realize that the purpose was to follow the various soldiers as they converged on the Battle of Shiloh, but it felt disjointed. It would have helped to have a map (which may have existed in the print edition), and a better sense OH how this battle and it's troop movements fit into the whole war of 1862. I have visited the Shiloh Battlefield, and the church at Corinth, but still had difficulty visualizing how this came to pass.t
What I did appreciate was the internal c onflicts the various men dealt with about the morality of war, killing on the battlefield, and even confiscating supplies from the dead. Also, the various viewpoints on the War itself; it's causes, and hoped for results.
What I did appreciate was the internal c onflicts the various men dealt with about the morality of war, killing on the battlefield, and even confiscating supplies from the dead. Also, the various viewpoints on the War itself; it's causes, and hoped for results.
January 9, 2020
Good read.
Philip Bryant captured the horror and self sacrifice of the soldiers on both sides in the civil war. Moral dilemmas, questions and the idea of mass infantry against the rifled mini ball, canister fire and solid shot cannonade. It is the personal thoughts and conversations of the foot soldier that make the book so interesting as the author explores their lives and not so much the tactics and higher command levels..
Philip Bryant captured the horror and self sacrifice of the soldiers on both sides in the civil war. Moral dilemmas, questions and the idea of mass infantry against the rifled mini ball, canister fire and solid shot cannonade. It is the personal thoughts and conversations of the foot soldier that make the book so interesting as the author explores their lives and not so much the tactics and higher command levels..
March 12, 2018
A story of the horror of war
The author has written a story of the pain and heartache of our nations civil war. The author has done a great job of telling the stories of fear,bravery and coward ness of the soldiers of the North and South. Good reading for the Civil War enthusiasts.
The author has written a story of the pain and heartache of our nations civil war. The author has done a great job of telling the stories of fear,bravery and coward ness of the soldiers of the North and South. Good reading for the Civil War enthusiasts.
October 25, 2024
A very different Civil War read for me. This story is heartfelt and honest about the horrors of war. Reading about ordinary men brought together in war; their hopes, dreams, fears and honesty is both powerful and heartbreaking. This is not what I would call a light read. You need to focus and think while ingesting this text.
May 21, 2017
A wonderful interpretation of what happens when armies stand fifty or one hundred yards apart and just keep firing at each other. Also the personal relationships among the soldiers of both sides and the descriptions of camp life are wonderful. I recommend this book for everyone.
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