Jeff Shaara

[Benjamin]

Anybody have experience with Jeff Shaara? He's sure written a lot of historical fiction, mostly centered around various American wars but I have yet to try any of his novels. I loved The Killer Angels by his father so have hopes Jeff will be good also.

[[deleted user]]

A very good writer. I've read his WW1 novel... the Rise to Rebellion novel and it's sequel... the first of his WW2 series and just read Gods and Generals last month...

[Jenny]

I met him when he came through my town on his book tour last year. Excellent speaker, and really passionate about history. I live in the "Crossroads of the Civil War", so he drew a big crowd. He's working on stuff for the sesquecentennial. Lots of WWII vets there, too. I'm ashamed to admit I haven't actually read his books yet, but I do have Rise to Rebellion on my TBR shelf!

[Misfit]

I've read the Civil War trilogy, which is the one written by the father and the other two by the son. Very good, but very disturbing as well.

[Alan]

Very intersting books. Once a person starts reading them they find it hard to stop.

[Donna]

I've been anxious to read Gone For Soldiers since very little is written about the Mexican-American War and lots of the big names in the Civil war were young soldiers during the conflict.

Really enjoyed Rise to Rebellion: A Novel of the American Revolution

[Benjamin]

Donna, Rise to Rebellion: A Novel of the American Revolution is the one I have on my shelf to be read. Hopefully I'll get to it soon.

[Joe]

Jeff is one of my favorite war authors who paints vivid detail of everyday life for his characters. He's an easy and captivating read. Even my 89 Y.o. Mother enjoys reading him. He reads like a novel, but is historically accurate - just like his father.

[Benjamin]

That's good to hear, Joe. I just started Rise to Rebellion today and really liking it so far.

[Joe]

Shaara books are on top of my "recommend" list. I've read every one. It is "you are there" to the max. I've often said that I wished they used these books to teach in high school vs. "dry" textbooks. After reading them, you'll wonder why G. Washington and Ike did'nt just quit.
I had put off reading the one about the Mexican War (boring?), but it was great.

[Jenny]

Saw the cover for Shaara's newest this morning, Blaze of Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Shiloh. Looks good. Part of his sesquicentennial trilogy.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345...

[Misfit]

That sounds interesting, although I'd have to be in the right frame of mind to read them. As good as the Civil War trilogy was, it was also very disturbing. War is hell.

[John]

I really like his stuff.

http://civilwarnovel.com

[Harold]

I recently read and reviewed "Rise to Rebellion." I rated it 3 stars. What was inexcusable to me was his portrayal of the Battles of Lexington and Concoord.

[Ryan]

I read the Killer Angels after watching Gettysburg, and yes, I did enjoy the book better than the movie, although both were done well.

[Ken]

Ryan wrote: "I read the Killer Angels after watching Gettysburg, and yes, I did enjoy the book better than the movie, although both were done well."

I have to say those were some bad looking beards. I expected Longstreets to detach itself and run away.
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm344586470...
Pickett's looked like a 'V' for Vendetta mask.

Small things. I have a hard time seeing Jeff Daniels in anything w/o picturing him as the guy in Dumb and Dumber. Col Chamberlain was a tough sell for me.

Books much better. I liked the Shelby Foote Civil War books a lot. I could listen to him comment in the Ken Burns movie all day.

[Harold]

Killer Angels is a superb book. Fortunately, I saw the film version and Jeff Daniels before I saw him in Dumb and Dumber. I've also read the Shelby Foote Civil War books, enjoyed them, and his appearances on the Ken Burns documentary.

[Beverly]

Take a look at Fitzhugh Lee's (Robert E. Lee's nephew) beard sometime. It was very long, very brown, and very bushy. I shudder to think how many lice the poor man must have had hidden away in there.

[Benjamin]

I'm in a bit if a WWII mood these days for some reason. Probably due to playing the Hearts of Iron computer game. So I started The Rising Tide: A Novel of World War II. Happy with it so far, especially since Shaara doesn't seem to be seperating out the characters into "good" guys and "bad" guys...just different points of view and motivations.

[Joe]

Shaara's new Civil War book "A Blaze of Glory" is due in June. I'm already on a library waiting list.

[Jo]

I am lucky - I saw "Gettysburg" before "Dumb & Dumber." Jeff Daniels' character in the latter movie is utterly unbelievable for me.

[Terry]

JoAnn wrote: "I am lucky - I saw "Gettysburg" before "Dumb & Dumber." Jeff Daniels' character in the latter movie is utterly unbelievable for me."

I am retired from the military and his performance was just outstanding-that part of the movie brings me to tears every time.

[Jo]

Me too, along with Chamberlain's early speech to the rebellious Maine soldiers. Professors of rhetoric are not just paper tigers.

Daniels was perfect in this role, and also as George Washington in the 2008 "The Crossing."

[Ken]

I'm delighted to see Jeff Daniels is reprising his most inspirational role. Just announced for release in 2014.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001099/

[Jo]

Oh dear, I was hoping that you meant Daniels was going to play Chamberlain again. :(

[Ken]

I was hoping he would reprise My Favorite Martian. We both have had our hopes dashed.

[Terry]

JoAnn wrote: "Me too, along with Chamberlain's early speech to the rebellious Maine soldiers. Professors of rhetoric are not just paper tigers.

Daniels was perfect in this role, and also as George Washington i..."

I had forgotten about The Crossing, that was a great performance as well.

[Joe]

Just finished his new book "Blaze of Glory". Good, as usual, but did not "wow" me like his other books. Maybe the previous 3 Civil War books were enough CW reading for me. I'd like to see Shaara write a non-war historical fiction. BTW, I have NO desire to read ones about Korea or Vietnam.

[Tracy]

I've read both of his Revolutionary War books, Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause and enjoyed them pretty well. The Glorious Cause takes place in the southern theater, which is often neglected in novels about this war.

[Terry]

Finished "Blaze of Glory". I actually enjoyed this one more than the other Civil War books. Civil War is not normally my cup o' tea. In Blaze of Glory I think the author came very close to the optimum of using the characters to tell the story of the battle, as opposed to the greater emphasis on the characters from his other CW books. I would very much like the author to use his great talents to tell the stories of Korea and Vietnam, as those wars are starting to approach the edge of living memory. For someone born in 2010, Vietnam will be as far back in the past as WW I was for me born in 1960. My $0.02

[Thom]

Like some of the other members, I’ve read The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara and enjoyed it. I have recently acquired Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure. I hope soon to have the time to read them.

[Loren]

I just recommended The Killer Angels to my father and he read it in two days, then picked up Gods and Generals.

With regard to the Shaara's, it's fascinating how the son was able to pick up the torch laid down by the father.

[E.E.]

The Shaaras are two of my favorite authors. I particularly loved the first three books in the Civil War series. They brought those people to life for me. Taught me a lot about how to write dynamic historical figures.

[Joe]

He is my "most recommended author" by far. Consistent great stuff.

[Leona]

I have not read him but will look for the books.
I liked the Sparrowhawk series by Edward Cline; the first book starts before the American Revolution and is set in England.

[Eddie]

Just finishing Blaze of Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Shiloh. I so happy he returned to civil War. After many books on Civil War.Learn several things with a wonder of a kid.