The Killer Angels

Michael Shaara

“The Killer Angels”, by Michael Shaara, was a novel about the military strategies and actions taken during the Civil War. The novel was written from several different military viewpoints. Shaara wrote this novel through the eyes of Joshua Chamberlain, John Buford for the Union and Robert E. Lee and his right hand man James Longstreet for the Confederate and other important military figures. The Civil War spanned over many years, however Shaara chose to focus on The Battle of Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg was fought from July 1st to July 3rd. The battle was the turning point of the Civil War. There were many battles fought before and after Gettysburg but this battle was the one that confirmed the Confederate would be defeated and fail to win their independence.

Michael Shaara did an excellent job in helping the reader understand what went on it The Battle of Gettysburg. He allowed the reader to see things from both sides of the war. He never let on which side of the war he agreed with. Shaara wrote this novel in a way that each side was given equal time, even if he had conflicts with the viewpoints of the individuals in the war. On one day the Union would look powerful and the next it would be the Confederate. He wanted readers to see what the Union and the Confederate had endured based on the information from the soldiers themselves. When I read the book I felt compassion for the Union and Confederate armies. It was very evident that Shaara was passionate about the battle and wanted others to feel what he felt and understand what this battle really did to the soldiers and the United States.

When I first saw what books were required for this class I thought, “Why would I want to read this book?” I never liked studying or reading about war. I started to read the book and found myself taken with it. I loved the way Shaara started out with the spy. He had me thinking that I could see him and that I could feel what he felt as he was walking in the rain. I really enjoyed what I was feeling. As I continued to read, I could hear the excitement and the nervousness in the voices of the soldiers. I wanted to tell them not to worry that everything would be ok. It was great. I continued reading and found myself feeling sorry for the soldiers on both sides of the war. I realized that the Confederate soldiers were fighting to keep African Americans, my ancestors, as slaves. I could not help but feel bad for them. They were out numbered, low on food and under a command that would end up losing the war. I felt like I could walk up to the Union soldiers and tell them thank you for fighting for the freedom of my ancestors and for being willing to give your life for their rights. It was very hard not to feel indebted to them while reading this book. I felt like I was at Gettysburg. I could hear the cannons, smell the smoke, hear the soldiers’ hearts beating in their chest and feel the pain of the wounded. It was evident that the soldiers were not going to give up on their beliefs, no matter how many men died or how out numbered they were, like Chamberlain standing ground at Little Round Top.

I am an African America woman, but I had no idea just what went on during the Civil War and really did not remember the main reasons for this war. I do not fully understand all aspects of the Civil War, but I have a better understanding of what went on at Gettysburg. I never imaged that there were men that were willing to die for the rights of my ancestors. I really had to stop and think of what today’s world would be like if the Union army did not stand up for our (Africa American) rights. These men were fighting a war against their friends and family and were willing to die for people they knew very little about. I did not realize that there were so many men that died and so many families that had lost loved ones.

I learned if the Confederate’s strategy had been a little different I might not have been in this class. They may have won this battle and the war, changing everything we know today. The Confederate had the upper hand in a lot of ways. They were in a territory they called home and were familiar with; they had a plan to stay on the defensive, which seemed to work even when they were outnumbered. Once Lee decided to become the aggressor at Gettysburg, the Confederate army’s fate was decided. Lee’s decision to march up the middle towards the Union army was a mistake that would destroy the Confederate army, and one that could not be corrected. The Battle Of Gettysburg was truly the turning point of the war and confirmed the Unions ultimate victory.

I must admit that my eyes were truly opened with my reading of “The Killer Angels”. I was really amazed at the fighting and how far the men in this battle were willing to go. Shaara has given me a true understanding of one of the bloodiest battles to be fought on US soil. I was not someone that really cared about past wars, but I admit this book has changed my viewpoint. I have already recommended this book to several people, hoping they learn what I have, that there were a lot of men who gave their lives for the freedom of African Americans and these men were white.