Gods and Generals

A Novel of the Civil War (Civil War Trilogy)

By: Jeff Shaara

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling prequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic The Killer Angels.

In this brilliantly written epic novel, Jeff Shaara traces the lives, passions, and careers of the great military leaders from the first gathering clouds of the Civil War. Here is Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, a hopelessly by-the-book military instructor and devout Christian who becomes the greatest commander of the Civil War; Winfield Scott Hancock, a captain of quartermasters who quickly establishes himself as one of the finest leaders of the Union army; Joshua Chamberlain, who gives up his promising academic career and goes on to become one of the most heroic soldiers in American history; and Robert E. Lee, never believing until too late that a civil war would ever truly come to pass. Profound in its insights into the minds and hearts of those who fought in the war, Gods and Generals creates a vivid portrait of the soldiers, the battlefields, and the tumultuous times that forever shaped the nation.

©2000 Jeff Shaara (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Powerful.... Though the story of the Civil War has been told many times, this is the rare version that conveys what it must have felt like." (Chicago Sun-Times)

"Compelling...a work of vivid drama and skill." (The Dallas Morning News)

"[Jeff] Shaara’s beautifully sensitive novel delves deeply in the empathetic realm of psycho-history, where enemies do not exist - just mortal men forced to make crucial decisions and survive on the same battlefield." (San Francisco Chronicle)

Loved it…very well done

The performance was very well done and the story was riveting. All of the books by Jeff Shaara that I’ve listened to are wonderful

Great Book

loved it much better than the movie. the book was very interesting and I will read it again

it makes you think

Even those of us who have studied the war in some depth tend to view it as a sterile thing. States seceded, men joined up, armies moved. There may be a few human interest stories in the mix but its cold. One part of this book that really moved me was a unit in California with men from various states as they came to terms with where their loyalties lay and longtime friends became enemies in an instant. Another important thought was how men reacted to rumors, outdated information and outright lies; things that we have not yet overcome in our information age. The actions of the armies make more sense when you realize an actual frail human is making the decisions in real time based on incomplete information.

Brilliant

Great book. The first person narrating gives the reader a really good perspective of the war.

What a great surprise

My son recommended this book. I’ve never had an interest in the Civil War, let alone the generals. I was captivated by the telling of this interpretation of how these generals from both sides comported themselves during the war. The narration brought these horrible episodes to life in a compelling manner. Highly recommended.

More than just the history..

Jeff reveals insights and opinions into what the great General may have been thinking and reflection upon during crucial moments in their lives - both militarily and personally. I found very entertaining with a lot of back-story (and sometimes a bit confusing) regarding military missions, personal politics and attack positions.

Would definitely recommend!

i loved the story from beginning to end

I have seen the movie many of times i have to say the book was way better in my opinion.

Fantastic Listen

I have always enjoyed Civil War history, this has to be one of the best books I have listened to on the subject, and the depth of development for these participants is enlightening.

A very well done audiobook

The writing style itself is very good, I enjoyed the first person perspective and how it makes the events of history more lifelike and colorful. The narration is very well done, perhaps my favorite narrator I’ve heard so far. An excellent book for anyone interested in a more emotional and immediate story telling of the civil war.

Mr. Shaara provides to us the Civil War leaders humanity

I love the personality that Mr. Shaara brought to
the leaders, lifting them from sterile facts and embuing them with human passion and foibles.