In the Pulitzer prize-winning classic The Killer Angels, Michael Shaara created the finest Civil War novel of our time, an enduring bestsell...
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Jan 08, 2010
Steven
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Jeff Shaara's "The Last Full Measure" completes a Civil War trilogy. The first volume, "The Killer Angels," was authored by Shaara's father and focused on the battle of Gettysburg. After his death, the second volume, "Gods and Generals," explored the evolution of the Civil War up until the epochal struggle at Gettysburg (authored by Jeff Shaara).
This book looks at the final years of the Civil War, after the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. As is usual More...
This book looks at the final years of the Civil War, after the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. As is usual More...
Jul 24, 2011
David
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This is a more than satisfying conclusion to the Shaara family Civil War Trilogy that chronologically begins with Jeff's "Gods and Generals", and continued with his late father Michael's masterful account of Gettysburg in the "Killer Angels". While the previous books focused on four narrators each, this third book by Jeff Shaara drops the count down to three, and for the most part two. If there is a flaw to this book, it is that we are not given enough of the fascinating a
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May 04, 2011
Don
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Of the three books Gods and Generals, The Killer Angels and The Last Full Measure - The Last Full Measure was, for me, the most painful.
In this book the reader is introduced to Ulysses S. Grant and discovers the metal of the man. General Robert E. Lee continues to be the stalwart leader of the southern army. The reader comes to understand the passion of these men as well as the Union commander Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain who came away from Gettysburg a hero. Chamberlain is the only one of t More...
In this book the reader is introduced to Ulysses S. Grant and discovers the metal of the man. General Robert E. Lee continues to be the stalwart leader of the southern army. The reader comes to understand the passion of these men as well as the Union commander Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain who came away from Gettysburg a hero. Chamberlain is the only one of t More...
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Jan 14, 2009
Julie
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This is how the majority of the characters talk in this book: "There are.... a lot...... of periods...... in between..... words...."
I read the first 150-200 pages or so of this with such gusto! It wasn't as good as "The Killer Angels," obviously, but it was perfectly readable and exciting. Then things got sluggish. Chapter after chapter where absolutely nothing of importance or interest happenned. A battle was fought. Generals muse on death and destruction. Chambe More...
I read the first 150-200 pages or so of this with such gusto! It wasn't as good as "The Killer Angels," obviously, but it was perfectly readable and exciting. Then things got sluggish. Chapter after chapter where absolutely nothing of importance or interest happenned. A battle was fought. Generals muse on death and destruction. Chambe More...
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Mar 08, 2009
Roger
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The sequel to the Pulitzer Prize winning "The Killer Angels" is a novel about what happens after the Battle of Gettysburg until Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. Written mainly from the viewpoint of Robert E. Lee, Ulysses Grant, and Joshua Chamberlain it is a easily digestible history lesson. What I took from the book is that when it comes to Armies size and logistics do matter. Grants Army of the Potomac was significantly bigger and better supplied than Lees Army that - even w
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Sep 20, 2011
Linda
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I was so dissappointed in this book, I nearly forgot to include it in 'my books!'
For those of yu who have not read this trilogy; let me explain my dissappointment. Jeff Shaara's father wrote the first book in this trilogy; after Michael Shaara's death, his book would become the second book in the trilogy, it was also the first book I read. The first book was written after year's of research and I felt I was part of the book. Jeff's books simply do not measure up to what his father ha More...
For those of yu who have not read this trilogy; let me explain my dissappointment. Jeff Shaara's father wrote the first book in this trilogy; after Michael Shaara's death, his book would become the second book in the trilogy, it was also the first book I read. The first book was written after year's of research and I felt I was part of the book. Jeff's books simply do not measure up to what his father ha More...
May 28, 2010
Suze
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Jeff Shaara brings the Civil War alive, using a combination of fiction and fact. It's amazing, touching, and very informative. I truly enjoyed reading this book. It's the third book in a trilogy about the Civil War, started by his father, Michael Shaara. His book, Killer Angels, about Gettysburg, won the
Pulitzer Prize. Unfortunately, he died, and his son Jeffrey decided to finish what his father started.
He has done an incredible job of writing about a very difficult topic. He d More...
Pulitzer Prize. Unfortunately, he died, and his son Jeffrey decided to finish what his father started.
He has done an incredible job of writing about a very difficult topic. He d More...
Dec 30, 2009
Rafe
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I loved Michael Shaara's book about Gettysburg, The Killer Angels, and so it was with a lot of anticipation (and a bit of anxiety) that I started reading his son Jeff's companion volumes. Overall, I don't like them. I wish I did. I want to, very much. But I keep finding them overwritten, too much telling, not enough showing, and sometimes so sprawling and incoherent that I, someone who has studied the Civil War in detail and knows a fair amount about it, have trouble keeping track of who is doin
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Aug 08, 2011
This is the final book of the Shaara family American Civil War series based in the Virginia theatre. Like the first two, the history is correct; the dialogue is the author's own thoughts. I have nothing but praise for this book and the series. If you have already read the Bruce Catton and Shelby Foote 3 volume history on the war and think there is nothing else you can learn or feel, think again. Be prepared for some emotions though, the war and brutality of the time really come to life, but also
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Nov 30, 2008
Dave
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I had read it before...and not very long ago, in fact. I was between books and looking for something quick and entertaining to read, so I grabbed it off the shelf.
Note: I realize that the description "quick and entertaining" would not usually apply to a book about the end of the Civil War.
Not much to say about it; it mainly follow's three points-of-view; Chamberlain, Lee, and Grant, though Jeb Stuart is in there once, I believe and possibly some others. Takes More...
Note: I realize that the description "quick and entertaining" would not usually apply to a book about the end of the Civil War.
Not much to say about it; it mainly follow's three points-of-view; Chamberlain, Lee, and Grant, though Jeb Stuart is in there once, I believe and possibly some others. Takes More...
Jul 26, 2009
Jake
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I had a chance to shake hands with Jeff Shaara at a Civil War reenactment in Gettysburg prior to the release of his first novel Gods and Generals. He was autographing copies of a new edition of The Killer Angels, his late father's Pulitzer Prize winning novel. Hmmm. Anyway, he seemed like a gentleman.
I’m rather cynical about Jeff Shaara’s great success as a rare coin dealer turned novelist. But I have to confess, in his second outing he does pretty well. I enjoyed reading The Last Fu More...
I’m rather cynical about Jeff Shaara’s great success as a rare coin dealer turned novelist. But I have to confess, in his second outing he does pretty well. I enjoyed reading The Last Fu More...
Jul 18, 2011
Mike
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A very enjoyable book and satisfying finish to the Civil War trilogy by Jeff Shaara. I had read the first two books of the triology many years ago, but for whatever reason had not got around to finishing it. I am very glad I did.
I have been on a bit of a Civil War kick in the last month, and this book provided a lighter read about the characters and events that have so fascinated me. Shaara's ability to get into the heads of the historical figures is outstanding, and his ability t More...
I have been on a bit of a Civil War kick in the last month, and this book provided a lighter read about the characters and events that have so fascinated me. Shaara's ability to get into the heads of the historical figures is outstanding, and his ability t More...
May 25, 2010
Zohar - ManOfLaBook.com
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If you have liked "Gods and Generals" you would like this book also. It is written with a flare, and brings a closure to the Civil War. The author manages to bring history alive, and made me feel as if I knew the leading generals, Robert E. Lee, and Ulysses S. Grant.
I am sure the book is historically accurate with the events of the war, but I am not sure how accurate it is with the depiction of the men involved, even though it still makes a very interesting reading.
I am sure the book is historically accurate with the events of the war, but I am not sure how accurate it is with the depiction of the men involved, even though it still makes a very interesting reading.
May 08, 2008
Dan
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Excellent third and final book to this US civil war trilogy. My amazement at the length of the war and the bloodshed/carnage during the war only continued to expand with each page. The war just went on and on until the Confederate Army was literally reduced to almost nothing. It is less of a social implication on the war as the first two books and is more of a strategic recounting of the last 1/3 of the war. As in the previous two books the officers are described in wonderful detail and I fo
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Jan 07, 2009
Sloan
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this book seemed much shorter than its almost 500 pp. i'm a sucker for historical fiction, so i found this text very engaging, but i think it would be appealing to anyone who likes a good story. my young education focused more on the social and economic causes and outcomes of the civil war, so i didn't know much about gettysburg, antietam, or appomatox before this book. i'm happy to say that i learned a lot from reading it.
Feb 22, 2009
Terry
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This novel was not a mere recounting of the events of the American Civil War. Jeff Shaara takes us into the hearts and minds of some of the leading characters in the last years of the war. I gained a greater appreciation for men like Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Joshua Chamberlain, and those fought under their command. I learned what it meant to be dedicated to a cause; about the willingness of men to die for those causes; and of men who gave the last full measure of devotion - their very li
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Mar 10, 2009
Laura
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The last of the Civil War trilogy written by father & son (the father writes the middle one about Gettysburg). One of the most moving books I've read. The Civil War is an important part of American history & I felt such a love & admiration for those men who gave "the last full measure". A definite must read for those interested in understanding better the war between the states.
Jan 18, 2010
I feel like it's taken me forever to finish this book, but I'm glad I completed this series about the civil war. The book really picked up for me about half way through. To describe the book in one word.... heartbreaking. I've really enjoyed learning more about this period of history and now I have an urge to watch, "Gone With the Wind."
Jan 19, 2009
Billcorcoran
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Continuing the Shaara's civil war trilogy. This picks up after Gettysburg until the end of the war. It is so intersting to look into the minds of men like Grant and Lee. Often their mistakes would lead to the deaths of thousands of their own men. Watching how these men deal with these decisions and still continue on is fascinating.
Jan 20, 2009
Lauren
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An incredible ending to the Civil War trilogy by the Shaara's. It presents both sides of the story, never creating one side as the evil enemy, instead showing the men on both sides. I found myself cheering a victory with Grant and the next chapter sympathizing with Lee's loss. It's a wonderful story, and if it does sometimes...get a bit...bogged down...with extra periods and such, Shaara makes up for it with the storytelling. It is very hard to take away the action from the story.
I enjoy More...
I enjoy More...
Oct 26, 2011
Stuart
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Killer Angels was great, but was the work of the father. Gods and Generals was really pretty good, but noticably not as good as the first. I hts good, ave a feeling that the father had sketched out large parts of it and then the son just fleshed it out. This 3rd (and last) civil war novel was the weakest and follows Lee, Grant, and Chamberlain from Gettysburg to the end of the war. In parts good - but not consistently.
Mar 30, 2011
Megan
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Somewhat confusing during the battle scenes, again Jeff Shaara tackles an extensive length of history and leaves out some of the most interesting parts (i.e. Sherman's March to the Sea). The end drags out a bit too long and the battles seem to merge together. Still, a very moving account of the end of the Civil War.
Apr 13, 2010
Another re-read. But I've read the full sequence - Gone for Soldiers, Gods and Generals and just finished The Killer Angels today (4/3).
Finished this Sunday evening. The Killer Angels is still the best of the bunch - but then again it is a different author and covers a much more limited scope (Gettysburg) versus 2 halves of the Civil War.
Finished this Sunday evening. The Killer Angels is still the best of the bunch - but then again it is a different author and covers a much more limited scope (Gettysburg) versus 2 halves of the Civil War.
Apr 28, 2008
Michelle
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Using his father's narrative style, Jeff Shaara follows up the battle of Gettysburg ("The Killer Angels" by Michael Sharra) to Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. Ulysses S. Grant is introduced as well as John Gordon, and the battles are also told from Lee, Stuart, and Chamberlain's perspectives. Because of the length of the novel, the war gets tedious and tiresome which is a moving effect for the reader. But the narration is fresh and emotional. Impossible to effect the bril
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Jan 30, 2011
Poppop
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Michael Shaara and son,Jeff Shaara have given Civil War history fans 3 wonderful books ,not just historical fiction but history .So thorough in detail and facts but engrossing even to all who know how the war turned out ! I loved all three books .
Jan 30, 2011
Pegg
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I wish I could give this one a 4 1/2 rating.
The continuation of a story began by his father, "The Last Full Measure" is a very good book. Jeff Shaara did a good job of picking up where his father left off. I enjoyed the story and the history, especially since the last year of the Civil War is not written about as much as the early years. While he falls a little short of his father's story telling genius, it is nevertheless a very good book to read and one I highly recomme More...
The continuation of a story began by his father, "The Last Full Measure" is a very good book. Jeff Shaara did a good job of picking up where his father left off. I enjoyed the story and the history, especially since the last year of the Civil War is not written about as much as the early years. While he falls a little short of his father's story telling genius, it is nevertheless a very good book to read and one I highly recomme More...
Sep 21, 2010
Faith
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this book was an amazing synopsis of the civil war. it was informational without doubt, but also compelling. he uses alternating first person perspectives to portray the history aspect. in this way you feel closer to the characters.
Jun 08, 2010
Ross
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Last book in the Civil War trilogy - covers from right after Gettysburg until the end of the war. This was my favorite of the three. I enjoy all of Shaara's books but his two Civil War books and the one WWI book are my favorites.
Dec 16, 2009
Jackson
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This work suffers from the same flaws as God and Generals. Shaara simply fails to reproduce the genius of his father. The only book in this trilogy that needs to be read is Michael Shaara's original "The Killer Angels."
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Mar 09, 2009
Jarom
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The final years of the war that gripped America are brilliantly depicted by the bestselling author Jeff Shaara. From the lush victories to the bloody defeats on both sides, this is an enthralling novel.
