The Civil War Trilogy: Gods and Generals / The Killer Angels / The Last Full Measure

The Civil War Trilogy #1-3

by Jeff Shaara, Michael Shaara

Michael Shaara reinvented the war novel with his Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece of Gettysburg, The Killer Angels. Jeff Shaara continued his father’s legacy with a series of centuries-spanning New York Times bestsellers. Together at last in eBook form, this volume assembles three Civil War novels from America’s first family of military fiction: Gods and Generals, The Killer Angels, and The Last Full Measure.
 
Gods and Generals traces the lives, passions, and careers of the great military leaders—Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock, Joshua Chamberlain—from the gathering clouds of war. The Killer Angels re-creates the fight for America’s destiny in the Battle of Gettysburg, the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation’s history. And The Last Full Measure brings to life the final two years of the Civil War, chasing the escalating conflict between Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant—complicated, heroic, and deeply troubled men—through to its riveting conclusion at Appomattox.
 
Contains a preview Jeff Shaara’s new novel of the Civil War, A Blaze of Glory.

Praise for Michael Shaara and Jeff Shaara’s Civil War trilogy
 
“Brilliant does not even begin to describe the Shaara gift.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
“Shaara’s beautifully sensitive novel delves deeply in the empathetic realm of psycho-history, where enemies do not exist—just mortal men forced to make crucial decisions and survive on the same battlefield.”—San Francisco Chronicle, on Gods and Generals
 
“Remarkable . . . a book that changed my life . . . I had never visited Gettysburg, knew almost nothing about that battle before I read the book, but here it all came alive.”—Ken Burns, on The Killer Angels
 
“The Last Full Measure is more than another historical novel. It is rooted in history, but its strength is the element of humanity flowing through its characters. . . . The book is compelling, easy to read, well researched and written, and thought-provoking. . . . In short, it is everything that a reader could ask for.”—Chicago Tribune

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Civil War, Historical, American History, War, Military Fiction

1291 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 27, 1999

About the author

JEFF SHAARA is the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of seventeen novels, including Rise to Rebellion and The Rising Tide, as well as Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure—two novels that complete his father's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, The Killer Angels. Shaara was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and lives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Misfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

These three books should be required reading in school. Very eye opening to the horrors of war.

Gods and Generals - Fascinating portrayal of a sad time in US History, as told from the perspectives of the generals involved in these campaigns. I was most particularly moved by Lee and his torn loyalties to the US Army and his home state of Virginia, and most especially by the great Stonewall Jackson. I've come across the names in history classes (oh so long ago) and the occasional novel covering this period, but it was wonderful to have them brought to life as this author did, and we are once again reminded that was is indeed h***. One moment in the book that particularly touched me was during a retreat of Federal soldiers. One of them slipped in the mud and was told that since the general decreed the roads to be in good condition therefore there is no mud. Four stars instead of five as the author's habit of inserting a comma instead of the word "and" was a bit of a distration for me.

The Killer Angels - The author brings the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War to life in this wonderful novel. He uses the alternating views from the officers of both sides of the conflict, thus making you feel as you are right with them, culminating in the horrific and tragic end of the battle. I was truly saddened by the incredible loss of life due to the mistakes of the priveleged few, the generals. No wonder they say Gettysburg is one of the most haunted places in America.

The Last Full Measure - I think this book, and the two preceding it should be required reading in school. I had no idea how horrific this war was, particularly more so as the brutalities committed on both sides were against our own. There were so many moments when I wanted to stop and cry for the loss of life, and especially at the end when the one man who was capable of healing the country and bringing us all back together as one nation, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated.

The research was impeccable and telling the story from the viewpoints of the various generals absolutely fascinating. The honorable Robert E. Lee, Chamberlain (loved his gracious salute to the surrendering army), and the ever fascinating U.S. Grant.

One quote from so many in the book that just brought tears to my eyes: "Yes, it was horrible, horrible indeed. But he had to tell himself that, remind himself to see it that way. There was no sickening revulsion, no outrage, no indignation at the barbarism. It was just one more scene from this war, one more horror, one more mass of death, blending together with all the rest."

Highly highly recommended.

[Wendy Rabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara gripped me from the moment I started it, another one of those books dangerous for a mother to start as it could lead to the neglect of children. (Fortunately, mine are old enough that at least serious accidents were ruled out during my stolen moments.) The portraits of the warriors are vivid. Robert E. Lee's honor and character are captured, along with the devotion of his men and even what might be seen as arrogance that led to Pickett's Charge. The heroism of rhetoric professor Joshua Chamberlain, who held the end of the line at Gettysburg, is shown in the many details, including his wise treatment of deserters, his rousing speeches to his men, his horror at filling a hole in the line with his own brother. The Last Full Measure , written by Shaara's son, Jeffrey, takes the reader to the surrender of Lee, continuing in the same style as the original author. The thorough background research, based on soldiers' journals, newspaper accounts and other primary documents, is what gives these works the depth and richness that is so enjoyable. (I haven't read Gods and Generals yet, but look forward to that as a future treat.)

[Realini Ionescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

Nine out of 10





The Killer Angels seems to be an essential novel, winner of The Pulitzer Prize in 1975 – because of the Vietnam War, the sales of the book and the echoes have not been what the book deserved, seeing that it is about war and America had had enough of that at that point – paramount for understanding America, and not just the one fighting the Civil War, but the United States as we see them changing, especially over the recent years, when multitudes – if not the majority of voters in the country – have voted for the very stable genius – perhaps seventy million still see him as the leader and many believe in Qanon, conspiracies that have the world under the control of pedophiles and peddle other such nonsense…



This acclaimed opus is about the days of the battle of Gettysburg, ending on the anniversary of the Independence Day, July 4th 1863, but we have been reminded of the Civil War just about three months ago, when supporters of the worse president in history have taken the Capitol Hill and at least one of them waved the Confederate flag in the American Congress…in the Killer Angels we learn a lot of the battle and the war, but also about the background, the differences and it seems that at that time, the South – for all its evident flaws, in particular the heinous slavery that actually caused the war, even if there are some main characters in the narrative that do not own slaves and do not fight the North for that reason, but for their people, to defend the land and other ideals – used to be a place of a certain nobility, with a special decorum, a sophistication and education, respect for traditions that are surely still the mark of so many, after all, the elites are the crème de la crème, the educated intellectuals, thinkers everywhere…when we have a large enough group of people, irrespective of race, geography, ethnicity and other considerations, you will find about the same concentration of fools, brilliant folks.

But it does seem that the South has some repellent problems, in that the ‘red neck’ label seems to apply more to men coming from the Bible Belt, regions in the south that have not only voted for the ultimate epitome of extremism, stupidity, arrogance, selfishness, cheating, lying to an extreme never seen before, abject and despicable goon, but they have done so in incredible, astonishing numbers in many places…yes, there is also the difference between the cities and rural areas, with the former being more progressive no matter where they are, if they are located in a red or blue state, while the latter vote overwhelmingly for the orange buffoon, no matter if we find them on the East Coast or in the middle of the country…



Perhaps the main figure of the novel is the general Robert E. Lee, the one who does not own slaves, but still he apparently thinks that ‘black people are not yet ready to be emancipated’ – this is not a quote, but as close as my memory can get to the words…or maybe just what I imagined I kept in the head, distorted as it could be by the image of the general as it develops through the story – the one who was – and referring to the aforementioned commentary, still is very much – revered, adored by huge crowds in the South, as far as this reader can see, a complicated personage, a gentleman, but also one who has lead the wrong side in the war – respectful of the enemy, but still responsible for many deaths and injuries…



Even Lieutenant General James Longstreet, the right hand of General Lee, would state that the commander of the Army of North Virginia had been wrong in his decisions – indeed, he does not just say this after the war, with hindsight, according to the author – and he had done extensive research, with the intention of informing the reader with accuracy about what happened at Gettysburg, but also with the intention to try and picture for us what different participants said and felt during, before and maybe after the hostilities – but General James Longstreet has had to tell commander Lee to his face that what they have in the battlefield, the situation makes it impossible for their army to win, seeing that they have to attack over a front of many miles – was it five miles – and the enemy has a controlling position, on the hill, and there is no way to overcome the adversity, mathematically it is an impossible goal.

General James Longstreet would be later called a turncoat, although he has been a voice of reason – he would be proved right by the outcome of the battle – and it was his duty to tell the truth to the respected, surely too much honored commanding general Lee, there are stories that say he was asleep and thousands of soldiers would walk on tiptoe to let him sleep – not that the latter does not deserve respect for at least some side of his character – honorable, proud, brave, determined, serious, calm, constant…he does day there is no option but to attack under the circumstances and they have debates over strategy, the fact that general Lee was considered a ‘defensive strategist’ and then they quote Napoleon, who apparently said that defensive war has only one outcome, surrender or perhaps defeat…general Lee was more than fair, even kind and just, for when an old man comes to ask for his horse to be returned, he tells his officers to give back the blind animal to his owner and we learn that the army of the north had committed atrocities, and it makes sense to see the war as an appalling affair, where both sides are responsible for vile acts



When strategy and tactics are discussed, there is an English visitor who is somewhat mocked by the Americans – after all, the British were on the side of the South, but they offered no help and one explanation presented is the fact that Slavery is rejected in Europe and the fact that the Unionists have the high moral ground is mentioned, though one officer refutes the notion that slavery is the reason…there is one memorable statement made by one of the Unionist leaders, who says that wars in history have been fought over land, women, for the love of violence and this war is the first to be about setting others free…

We find quite a few disturbing passages, most of them evidently describing the massacre of the battle, where men are killed, lose limbs, animals are also murdered – there is a haunting image of the horse that is about to die, with many wounds on his body and I must admit that for some reasons – psychopathic maybe – I am beginning to be more concerned and upset when animals are tortured and killed than humans, who almost always do the executing…one tale involves a statement made by a man from the South – who had an opinion shared by many then and perhaps fewer now, in some of these god forsaken places – who was appalled by the notion that someone – from the North, the government or I guess anyone – could tell him to free the slaves and he compared that with the idea of strangers tell him to free his horse, because he saw no difference – as a matter of fact, there probably was little difference between him and his horse…

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an outstanding trilogy about the civil war and I'm not a big fan of history books about our country's wars. Although this is what I'd call fictional history the events were real. A great story!

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are amazing!

You often hear the cliché "it's like history comes alive on the page," rarely is it as true as in this case. This isn't just for civil war buffs, it isn't just for military fiction aficionados, it's for anyone who ever wondered what it would have been like...

Highly recommended reading, as are all the Shaara books - be they written by Michael or Jeff.

[Richard I Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who should read it: people interested in Civil War History, but with a distaste for the dry nonfiction historical books. Who also know to take it with at least a grain of salt, as it is a work of fiction (albeit a well researched one.)

I enjoyed reading this, and came to a better understanding of the ark of the civil war and the connection of the battles and campaigns than I previously had (speaking as a History major and military history enthusiast, that's saying something.

Beware that the Shaaras and Jeff Shaara in particular (author of the bracketing books in this Trilogy, gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure) subscribe a bit to the Lost Cause narrative, that the war was about something other than slavery, that the southern generals really weren't all that bad, especially Lee.

Sure, a Slaver, but not THAT BAD of a Slaver.
Sure, a traitor to an oath of office as a military office, but not THAT BAD of a traitor.
Sure, a military blunderer in some cases but not THAT BAD of a military blunderer because.....reasons.

So I do recommend reading these books if the topics are interesting to you, do take them with a grain of salt. I will also review each book individually for its own specifics, but will borrow a bit from this one for the themes that carry through.

3 Star reviews mean this was a solid book. I probably won’t read it again but I could. I do recommend it to people interested in this sort of topic. No argument from me if you love this book.

[Ginger Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of the entire trilogy.

All Americans should read this, especially in this time when the Confederacy and the causes of the War are misunderstood and misconstrued. The Killer Angels is MUCH better than God and Generals and The Last Full Measure. That does not mean that those are not good books worth reading. The Killer Angels is in a class by itself. Few books are its equal.

The Killer Angels inspires emotions: sadness, anger, confusion. The other two do that, but not as strongly and the characters are not nearly as vivid as those same characters I. The Killer Angels.

All in all, this was time well spent and I recommend all three books.

[Ryan Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long read that covers the entirety of the Civil War. Reads like a live narrative more than a history book. Covers the complicated nature of the commanders of both sides. Gives an unbiased account of the bloodiest war on American soil. You like history, read it. You like historical fiction that reads more like a narrative, read it. Very enjoyable.

[Kevin Lipscomb]

Dnf

[Dan]

Too slow

[Matthew Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far and away one of the greatest trilogies ever written.

Michael Shaara is the writer of the second book chronologically but first one published, "The Killer Angels" telling the story about the four days of the Battle of Gettysburg from the points of view of the general officers of both the Union and Confederate Armies in the American Civil War (1861-1865).

The second published but first chronologically is "Gods and Generals" written and published by his son Jeffery Shaara 22 years later follows the wars’ early years and battles such as Antietam and Fredericksburg. It ends with General "Stonewall" Jackson's death at Chancellorsville and just as the armies approach Gettysburg.

The Third published and final novel of the trilogy is "The Last Full Measure" which introduces Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant who is appointed By President Abraham Lincoln to take command of all Union forces and bring victory which as history shows happened on April 9, 1865.

The Civil War possibly is the most documented and written about subject in American History and yet "The Killer Angels" was the first of it's kind alittle over 100 years later. It was the first book to give the reader the chance to hear the story of the war from the actual participants. And the Shaaras do not disappoint.

Stonewall Jackson is portrayed as he was. A devout Christian, logical, and seemingly invincible soldier who attributes his victories to the blessings of God and is cut down not by the enemy but by his own men.

Robert E. Lee the honorable virginian gentleman soldier who facing a choice between fighting his country or his home resigns from the army and heads to his native state only to become The greatest General and possibly the most revered soldier in U.S. history.

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, the college professor turned Colonel who joins the army out of a sense of idealism and devotion to the concept of freedom.

And Ulysses S. Grant, the hard and calculable General who unleashes what his predecessors lacked in assuring victory: THE FIGHT which crushes The Confederate States Army and ends the war.

The trilogy even touched on the years before the war how some soldiers who were friends found themselves as enemies with devestating results such as the tragic friendship between Winfield Scott Hancock and Lew Armistead who avoid facing each other until the fateful battle of Gettysburg.

The Civil War was a war of brother against brother but also one of ideals. Winston Churchill once called it "The Noblest of Conflicts". It's origins are spoken of in the novels by the general officers of the army. States rights, slavery, freedom, and even being a fight against "the gentlemen" are referenced in the three books

The books are a "complete" story in that it is sad and full of fire. It is a story of friendships and promises. A story of ideals in the midst of battle and of course it is a story of love.

In today's America, the civil war is still a very highly debated and sensitive issue and it is tragic that rather than having the real historic figures tell the story of what happened and why, people are falling in contradiction and partisan bickering. The Shaaras through these novels draw back the curtain and give the American People a story of the war Shelby Foote called "Central to all of our lives" without political correctness and bias which is the chief praise I give to the trilogy.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really not much in to the war history thing, all the little details of who surrounded who's flank, etc, BUT this was a very compelling fictionalization of the real life people leading the armies of both sides of the war.

Gods & Generals felt a little too appologetic for the Southern states. It was, afterall, really about slavery, no matter how much some might want to white-wash this as state's rights. Maybe it felt that way because the folks in charge of the Union's army were complete bumbling idiots, compared to the Southern generals.

Gettysburg was a pretty engaging, exciting read. Really enjoyed reading about Buford and Chamberlain's parts in this battle, as well as Hancock. Lee really jumped the shark with this one by sending in Pickett's division on day 3 -- what a useless slaughter. I'm amazed that Longstreet didn't just quit right then & there. He understood how badly that would turn out.

The Last Full measure was good, but seemed to drag on forever. Maybe that was the point, though. It was a 2 year slog of trench warfare and horrible casualties while the Union slowly ground Lee's forces down. It was interesting to get to know more about Grant -- I'm curious now to see if I can get my hands on his memoirs.

So, all in all, probably a 5 star read, as if for no other reason than that it made this war's history more alive to me than anything I ever learned in school / high school.

Now I'm going off to find me some fluffy sci-fy to rest my brain...

[Jon Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finest work I have read in many years

This book captivated my time from the instant I started reading. I especially liked how he was able to use personal thoughts and feelings of the characters of the war. Totally impartial to both sides, he made me look up to and respect the leaders of both sides. Many, many times I shed tears at the loss of one of the soldiers. I myself a veteran of 2 wars totally understands the characters of the books and for the first time in my like understood the true cause of the south.

I recommend this book set for those who love history. With this you not only get the raw history, but you are able to put the complicated pieces together and understand things like the battle at Gettysburg. Now when I stand on the fields at places like Gettysburg I can actually see what happened.

The book set is very long and it has kept me reading for a long time. I'm sad that this series has ended, but I will now read all of Jeff's other books.

Majdad.

[Lee Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all three, with Gods and Generals being the best of them.

[Lynn Ferder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend. This trilogy answered a lot of questions I had about the civil war. I feel I know the history a lot better now. Easy to read, great writing by both authors.

[James Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Covers the period of 1858 to 1863, prior to the civil war up to but not including Gettesburg.

Tells the story of the lead up to the war and the early years from the perspective of Robert E. Lee, Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, with visits to other leaders. So, not a history book per say, but wonderful insight to what was going through the minds of these players.

Very insightful as to the mind of a civil war military leader. Thoroughly engrossing.

The first book leads into his father's book, The Killer Angels which focuses on Gettysburg. The Last Full Measure finishes off the last two years of the war.

[Greg Parrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though long, I really enjoyed this trilogy from cover to cover. Fictional but plausible... refreshing putting the human on each major character trying to see inside their minds on why they did what they did. Covering from the pre-war years until just after the death of General Lee, the book dives into the (possible) emotions and thoughts of the major players. Did it really happen this way? No one can truly know. Worth the reading to have some perspective on the current events regarding things Confederate.

[Mark Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Read

This series of books takes what I recall was rather dull studies of the battles of the civil war in school and brings the personalities of the principle combatants to life. I've only been to Gettysburg once, but I can't wait to return, now with a much better understanding of the events that to place there. Last note, there can't help but being relevance to today, and the fracturing of our social structure. Hopefully we have learned some lessons from the period of the books.

[Joseh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Civil war trilogy

Outstanding presentation of one of the bloodiest wars of the United States. Shaara presents a detailed story of the civil war from both the union and confederate viewpoints with no bias towards either side. The box set holds the readers attention throughout al three books. Excellent reading.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

We drove to Gettysburg (an eight hour drive) and listened to this book while en route. Highly recommend! This book is captivating and engages the reader immediately with every aspect of the famous Civil War battle that changed the course of American History. Meticulous details, well told and easy to follow. A great read (listen).

[Ernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Canadian reading about the US civil war after recent headlines about General Lee. Could not put this book down. Amazing character development, detail, story. I would recommend it to anyone interested in peeling back the onion layers.

[james l royle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very real portrayal of the civil war.

I have read Shaaras book on WW2 and this book follows his unique ability to place you there in the awful Civil War using history and fiction dialogue. Great book

[Kevin Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Far better than Gingrich's coarse "what if" books, the Shaara trilogy puts you in the middle of this defining epoch in American history. And he does it through humanizing the key figures you only read about in history books.

[Edward Shuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story

A very interesting read on the men who fought the Civil War. While not a true history it was told through the eyes of the main participants. It makes reading about the war very easy to take considering the amount of deaths that occurred.

[William Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readable and captivating of the East in the ACW.

The insights to personalities and consequences were new to me. It was helpful to read the descriptions of the more complex battles on Wikipedia and print the maps.

[Karen Pierangeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of my all time favorites.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelled and well written fictional on the horror and adventure of war.

[David Radin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible trilogy!

I loved every minute of it. Well written and exciting.

[gail Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great trilogy of the Civil War and politics of the era. I never knew that the Southern States in Secession, if they won, wanted to return to British Rule.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love historical fiction when the characters play a major part. This book is to heavy on the battles of the Civil War. I didn’t finish it.