The Killer Angels

The Classic Novel of the Civil War

By: Michael Shaara

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • After more than a quarter of a century and three million copies in print, Michael Shaara’s Civil War classic, The Killer Angels, remains as vivid and powerful as the day it was originally published.

July 1863. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia is invading the North. General Robert E. Lee has made this daring and massive move with seventy thousand men in a determined effort to draw out the Union Army of the Potomac and mortally wound it. His right hand is General James Longstreet, a brooding man who is loyal to Lee but stubbornly argues against his plan. Opposing them is an unknown factor: General George Meade, who has taken command of the Army only two days before what will be perhaps the crucial battle of the Civil War.

In the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation’s history, two armies fight for two conflicting dreams. One dreams of freedom, the other of a way of life. More than rifles and bullets are carried into battle. The soldiers carry memories. Promises. Love. And more than men fall on those Pennsylvania fields. Bright futures, untested innocence, and pristine beauty are also the casualties of war.

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

©1974 Michael Shaara, copyright renewed 2002 Jeffrey M. Shaara & Lila E. Shaara (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Pulitzer Prize winner, Fiction 1975

“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

“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

“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

The Civil War in the eyes of the solider!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really love General Longstreet, this book shows his struggles of knowing what is going to happen during the battle and yet still having to follow orders from his superior officer, Robert E Lee!

If you could take any character from The Killer Angels out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Col. Joshua Chamberlain, he seems like a normal man thrust into a military role, that he was very good at because he was a smart man and could adapt to whatever the situation was on the battlefield!

Prize

Such an amazing story that is so well-written and incredibly well-performed. It was a crucible. Cornelius Ryan's, The Longest Day, is similar, but not as much of a feat since the vets were around for Ryan to talk with. Buy, Listen, Learn, Enjoy.

it's the greatest historical book I've ever read.

love every second of it. a must read by anybody interested in Gettysburg or the Civil War.

Required reading for life!

This author was ahead of his time writing historical fiction. Not even sure that it can be called fiction because it is so truly historical. I came to better understanding of the Civil War listening to this book in all my classes in high school or college. I look forward to traveling to see the historical markers and honor those who were part of the Civil War. The story of Killer Angels has expanded my understanding vastly as to how and why men fight and about how leaders lead.
I think many lessons can be learned about leadership from this book. It could even be used in business curriculum.

Great novel & wonderful audio presentation

Would you listen to The Killer Angels again? Why?

I'm not one for war novels, but this novel engaged me from the first spoken word to the last. No doubt, this is because of author Michael Shaara's compelling story and well as the incredible audio presentation by narrator Stephen Hoye.

What did you like best about this story?

This played like a movie. I loved the way Shaara shifted from the Southerners' perspective back to the Northerners' perspective throughout the novel.

What about Stephen Hoye’s performance did you like?

Narrator Stephen Hoye was outstanding. I don't know how he remembered the distinct voice for each of the many characters!

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended. I know that the print version is assigned to high school students. This audio version would be an alternate, and perhaps more powerful way, for students to truly appreciate this novel.

Several reads, first time audio

it has been a long time since I read this book. What's interesting to me is that the audio version generated a completely different visual in my mind's eye than I had when I read it myself. I narrator did great, but something about his voice annoyed me. The southern drawl seemed whiny instead. He did great otherwise.

Excellent presentation

I read this book as a student and I am having my US History students read it in connection with a unit on the Civil War and reconstruction. The introduction by Jeff Scharra was an amazing incite into his father and this story. I truly enjoyed listening to this book.

Wow! A profoundly moving novel

The Killer Angels is a truly profound, moving and personal book written as a fictionalized account of the 3 day battle at Gettysburg during The Civil War. I am hesitant to use the word 'fictionalized' seeing as Michael Shaara spent 7 years assimilating the historical documentation surrounding the events and personal exploits of the figures who participated in Gettysburg. However, The Killer Angels is presented as a novel where we get the personal thoughts and perspectives of monumental historical figures like Robert E. Lee, Longstreet and Chamberlain. The novel is historically accurate in every detail but what gives The Killer Angels it's extraordinary impact is being let into the intimate thoughts of the men who created the theatre of this epic battle. Hearing the rebel General Longstreet's personal feelings against slavery or Robert Lee's fears of his growing weakness due to heart disease and Chamberlains' disbelief he used his young brother to fill a hole in the line, these are the moments that elevate what could be an ordinary historical account into a profoundly moving drama.
Gettysburg was a horrifying battle in which whole divisions were lost. A10% loss in battle is considered a blood bath and neither World War in the 20th century exceeded these losses, but at Gettysburg those numbers reached over 30%. When Lee asked of Pickett to rally his division against a possible Union counterattack Pickett answered, "General Lee, I have no division now." The confederate army had almost a mile to march through an open field to get to Meade's center. Cannon balls took out 10 men at a time. The Union artillery couldn't miss. It's impossible now, especially those of my generation, to understand the will it took to march through those fields knowing you will die and having come to terms with that death. The dignity in which those thousands of Confederate Soldiers endeavored to make that stone wall with the Union soldiers chanting "Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!" and the Confederates holding their line in the face of a relentless Union artillery barrage was described by one Union officer as the most beautiful thing he has ever seen.
Michael Shaara won a posthumous Pulitzer for The Killer Angels, but unfortunately his dream to have the book recognized during his lifetime never happened. Jeff Shaara, his son and also historical novelist, writes a moving introduction on the inspiration and creation of his dad's novel that only adds to the intimacy of the reading experience.
On a personal note, The Killer Angels ability to humanize these great historical figures, by showing their fears and self-doubt moved me to tears on a few different occasions. The loss of Chamberlains wise and worldly Irish aid due to a gunshot in the armpit and Longstreet's conviction that General Lee's plan of a frontal assault on Meade's center would prove the death of many many good men and that he would have to give the order of attack and that he would be the one ultimately blamed for the massacre, were but a couple moments of poignant brilliance in such a deep and personal book.
I can't possibly recommend this novel with any more fervor. Regardless of your interest in The Civil War, this novel should be read by any lover of books or anybody who can appreciate a well written character driven story. If you do have an interest in The Civil War, The Killer Angels should be prioritized as a literary necessity. Michael Shaara's book wasn't just a good read, it was a personally enriching experience in which I have become a better person for having digested.

I was there

A good story that wss told well. The characters were brought to life in my imagination

one of best books ever

takes you inside the minds of the men who shaped the battle. so descriptive, it feels real.