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

Captivating and terrifying

Beautifully written to bring the historical facts alive. Adding the human element to what happened at Gettysburg gives those men and the significance of that moment in American history new color and new life. There is also a terrifying truth of war and the destruction it brings to everyone in its path.

I highly recommend this book!

A Classic

This book has always been one of my favorites. This is the first time I’ve listened to it, and I wasn’t disappointed. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

good to hear something so close to history

I love history but I struggled to finish this title because the narrator sounded like a drag queen.

Like getting in the head of a general

I never had any particular interest in civil war history until I listened to this book. Shaara does an uncanny job of bringing these historical figures to life. This book really gave me more perspective on the civil war — the stakes, the loss of lives, the chaos. Afterwards I wanted to read up more on the fascinating people portrayed in the book.

This one really stuck with me. Can’t recommend it enough.

Phenomenal

Fantastic book, excellent narration, absolutely impossible to (figuratively) put down. Excellent forfans of historical fiction and non fiction alike.

excellent read

Learned more about Gettysburg than I ever could have from a non fictional history book. It brings the lives of the men to life in a personal way. I almost felt like I was there.

Recommend

This book gives a view of the civil war from Generals who are in the heart of one of the most important battles.

Great Performance of...

A very worth ‘reading’ book on a critical moment in American History. Not to be missed.

WOW! Great story!

Very moving, emotionally tiring even, from the suspense, even knowing the end already. Most excellent book, well written, very excellent presentation, especially the personalization of historical figures.

Moving

A moving portrayal of the humanity surrounding the Battle of Gettysburg and a fractured nation. I couldn’t help but feeling like I was there as a spectator. The narration pulls you in and is not distracting.