Email this review to a friend.

In the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation’s history, two armies fought for two dreams. One dreamed of freedom and unity, the other of preserving a way of life. Far more than rifles and bullets were carried into this pivotal battle. There were memories, promises and love. And far more than men fell on these beautiful, rolling Pennsylvania fields. Shattered futures, forgotten innocence and crippled beauty were also casualties of war. A terrible penalty to pay for pride and union. Shaara brings to life both the warriors and foot soldiers of the worst battle ever fought on North American soil, and does it with clarity and power. In a simple, yet convincing fashion, Shaara captures the essence of this great American struggle and makes the conflict all so real that even the novice civil war buff can relate and understand. Read it an you will find yourself drawn to Gettysburg – as I have been – many times over.

Reviewed by Al C., WBTV Meterologist, Charlotte, NC

See more titles featured in War is Hell

Reader's comments about this book

A classic of military fiction that brings US Civil War legends to life. A must read for Civil War buffs and students of military leadership.
-Chuck, Charlotte, NC

Shaara shows war from the generals' perspective. He places the reader at their campfires and even in their thoughts (bold historical liberty!) as they weigh alternatives. The story brings out the burdens of command and shows each general considering the question of leadership. The narrative brings the reader into the thick of the fighting for the defense of Little Round Top and for Pickett's charge, and one can almost smell the gunpowder when he does. There are more occasions, however, when the reader observes the action at a distance as the generals did or receives partial information as the generals did. Retelling the battle as fictionalized history captures the battle as tragedy: inevitable suffering that arises from the flaws and differences of decent people, people who realize the horror of what they are doing.
-Tom, Charlotte, NC

Add your comments about this book

Connect to the PLCMC Online Catalog
Support the Library with your purchase.