HF - KILLER ANGELS - SYLLABUS

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

General H. Norman Schwartzkopf said that Killer Angels is "the best and most realistic novel about war that I have ever read."

"In the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation's history, two armies fought for two controlling dreams. One dreamed of freedom, the other of a way of life. For more than rifles and bullets were carried into battle. There were memories. There were promises. There was love. And far more than men fell on those Pennsylvania fields, Bright futures, untested innocence, and pristine beauty were also the casualties of war"

The Killer Angels is unique, sweeping, unforgettable - a dramatic re-creation of the battleground for America's destiny."

"My favorite historical novel....A superb re-creation of the Battle of Gettysburg, but its real importance is its insight into what the war was about, and what it meant." - James M. McPherson - Author of Battle Cry of Freedom

"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 Filmmaker, The Civil War

"Shaara carries (the reader) swiftly and dramatically to a climax as exciting as if it were being heard for the first time." -- The Seattle Times

Michael Shaara

Norman Schwarzkopf

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

THE JAN/FEB/MAR 2010 HISTORICAL FICTION GROUP READ:

Killer Angels will be kicked off on January 4th. The book will be read and discussed for three months. During the month of April, anyone who is behind will have the opportunity to catch up and finish the novel.

Foreword (9 pages) - ix to xv - Week One
Monday, June 29, 1863 — 1. The Spy (16 pages) - 3 - 18 - Week One
Monday, June 29, 1863 — 2. Chamberlain (18 pages) 18 - 35 - Week Two
Monday, June 29, 1863 — 3. Buford (18 pages) 35 - 52 - Week Two
Monday, June 29, 1863 — 4. Longstreet (23 pages) 52 - 74 - Week Three
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 1. Lee (14 pages) 77 - 90 - Week Three
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 2. Buford (12 pages) 91 - 102 - Week Four
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 3. Lee (19 pages) 103 - 121 - Week Four
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 4. Chamberlain (11 pages) 122 - 132 - Week Five
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 5. Longstreet (10 pages) - 133 - 142 - Week Five
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 6. Lee (10 pages) 143 - 152 - Week Six
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 7. Buford (7 pages) 153 - 159 - Week Six
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 1. Fremantle (12 pages) - 163 - 174 - Week Seven
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 2. Chamberlain (16 pages) 175 - 190 - Week Seven
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 3. Longstreet (26 pages) 191 - 216) - Week Eight
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 4. Chamberlain (34 pages) 217 - 250 - Week Eight
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 5. Longstreet (26 pages) 251 - 276 - Week Nine
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 6. Lee (12 pages) 277 - 288 - Week Nine
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 1. Chamberlain (10 pages) 291 - 300 - Week Ten
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 2. Longstreet (19 pages) 300 - 318 - Week Ten
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 3. Chamberlain (12 pages) 319 - 330 - Week Eleven
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 4. Armistead (20 pages) 331 - 350 - Week Eleven
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 5. Longstreet (11 pages) 350 -361 - Week Twelve
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 6. Chamberlain (6 pages) 361 - 365) - Week Twelve
Afterword (6 pages) 369 - 374 - Week Thirteen
About the Author - 1 page - Week Thirteen

"Thus ended the great American Civil War, which must upon the whole be considered the noblest and least avoidable of all of the great mass conflicts of which till then there was record."

- Winston Churchill A History of the English Speaking People - page 367

Michael Shaara

[Elizabeth S]

Thanks for the schedule, Bentley. Looks good!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Elizabeth S who has volunteered to be the Historical Fiction - Assisting Moderator will be leading this book discussion beginning January 4th.

Start Date:
January 4th - Beginning of Week One

End Date for Assignments
April 3rd - End of Week 13th

To catch up you have the reminder of April.

Week One - January 4th - January 10th
Week Two - January 11th - January 17th
Week Three - January 18th - January 24th
Week Four - January 25th - January 31st
Week Five - February 1st - February 7th
Week Six - February 8th - February 14th
Week Seven - February 15th - February 21st
Week Eight - February 22bd - February 28th
Week Nine - March 1st - March 7th
Week Ten - March 8th - March 14th
Week Eleven - March 15th - March 21st
Week Twelve - March 22nd to March 28th
Week Thirteen - March 29th - April 3rd

[David]

I read Killer Angels about six to nine months ago when I was deep into the Civil War, especially Gettysburg. At the time, my son had an AG writing assignment on his interpretation of the meaning of Lincoln's Gettysburg address.

This book was awesome! I truly enjoyed reading it and had a hard time putting it down. It flowed really well. Loved it!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Thank you David for sharing with us....I have been having the same problem...it is terrific.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Elizabeth S wrote: "Thanks for the schedule, Bentley. Looks good!"

You are welcome Elizabeth.