Status Updates From A Chain of Thunder

Fabulous book on the Civil War, once more. Very thrilling, as life jumps off the page.

Pages 300-400 are firmly set at Vicksburg. There are 2 action sequences from outside the siege, some nasty insight of what's happening inside the siege, and 1 day where the union and the rebel soldiers have a day of peace and hang out and talk to eachother. By page 400, food inside Vicksburg is running out, and a secret is being kept that could destroy the entire defenses.

Page 200-300 wraps up all the skirmishes outside of Vicksburg. By page 300, the assault for Vicksburg has begun. As Willis says, "this is the Frontline, boys."

There are lots of characters and names to remember. But the last 100 pages or so have been very interesting and, for the characters, a very confusing fight over a location called Champion Hill. Pemberton's undeciciveness played a big part in confederate (democrats) defeat.

Good book.

Grants vows revenge and prepares for a second assault at Vicksburg.

The Southern Generals begin to realize the genius of Grant's unrelenting strategy.

Shaara again proves his mastery at writing as on page 48, Grant details to Sherman how the war in Mexico was won and how he will deploy the same tactics to win the Civil War. What an intriguing conversation !!

Chapter 32

Holy cow, this novel is fantastic!!!!

I love getting back to this series. Shara is amazing, and I’ve never found a good book about Vicksburg that does both sides.

One of the themes is perseverance in the face of adversity. The book is about a siege, so both sides spend a long time doing something very difficult. The Confederate civilians are hit especially hard. This is a theme I can relate to, since I have occasionally had to do hard things requiring a lot of persistance to finish.

Shaara extends his narrative outside the lead-up to battle and the intricate maneuvering within the volley of fire. He chooses to focus on unique aspects of these battles within the Civil War. In a recent segment I read, he places much attention on Lucy Spence, a young Mississippian who lives in Vicksburg, watching as the two armies advance and, eventually, aiding in a civilian nurse capacity, with the injured.

The setting of my story is the town of Vicksburg Mississippi and the surrounding area, fall 1862. The story centers on Vicksburg, and the Confederate defense thereof. The story would not work in another setting since it is the story of the battle of Vicksburg.

As Grant and Sherman devise their plan to head towards Vicksburg, General Pemberton awaits, though worry seems to sober him to what lies ahead. On their trek to the city they seek, Union soldiers learn that the citizens of Mississippi are not always 'victims in the way', but can be strong Confederate supporters, ready to back Jefferson Davis and hold onto the slaves they feel are their possessions.

Shaara moves the Civil War battles ahead a year, positioning his story and characters into 1863. The central focus of this novel is Mississippi, central to the transport line of the Confederates. Generals Grant and Sherman of the Union contrast nicely with General Pemberton in their insights towards this most important collection of military maneuvers.

"Unconditional Surrender" Grant! Apparently John Pemberton thinks he holds all the cards regarding his capitulation. Grant reminds him that he controls nothing!

Confederates throwing hand grenades? Who knew?

Almost time for the Confederacy to surrender!

The Siege of Vicksbug is almost finished! What a great book!

The siege of Vicksburg continues.

Love his writing! He's written the most phenomenal historical fiction novels of all time!

Love Jeff Shaara! His historical fiction novels are a tremendous read!

Halfway through. Very good so far!

We'll eventually finish it. It's so hard to find time to read together though. At least it's good.

Continue to be disappointed at Shaara's anachronistic treatment of the Western theatre of the American Civil War. Although, I am enjoying his portrayal of a maturing Grant in this volume focused upon the Vicksburg campaign and battle.

I am liking this!

Shaara has hit another one out the park. This book concentrates on the siege of Vicksburg. A good read!

Great characters just like his other books.

Pre-tty slow.