The Last Full Measure

A Novel of the Civil War (Civil War Trilogy)

By: Jeff Shaara

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 26 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

In the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic The Killer Angels, Michael Shaara created the finest Civil War novel of our time, an enduring best seller that has sold more than two million copies. In the best-selling Gods and Generals, Shaara's son, Jeff, brilliantly sustained his father's vision, telling the epic story of the events culminating in the Battle of Gettysburg. Now, Jeff Shaara brings this legendary father-son trilogy to its stunning conclusion in a novel that brings to life the final two years of the Civil War.

As The Last Full Measure opens, Gettysburg is past and the war advances to its third brutal year. On the Union side, the gulf between the politicians in Washington and the generals in the field yawns ever wider. Never has the cumbersome Union Army so desperately needed a decisive, hard-nosed leader. It is at this critical moment that Lincoln places Ulysses S. Grant in command - and turns the tide of war.

For Robert E. Lee, Gettysburg was an unspeakable disaster - compounded by the shattering loss of the fiery Stonewall Jackson two months before. Lee knows better than anyone that the South cannot survive a war of attrition. But with the total devotion of his generals - Longstreet, Hill, Stuart - and his unswerving faith in God, Lee is determined to fight to the bitter end.

Here too is Joshua Chamberlain, the college professor who emerged as the Union hero of Gettysburg - and who will rise to become one of the greatest figures of the Civil War.

Battle by staggering battle, Shaara dramatizes the escalating confrontation between Lee and Grant - complicated, heroic, deeply troubled men. From the costly Battle of the Wilderness to the agonizing siege of Petersburg to Lee's epoch-making surrender at Appomattox, Shaara portrays the riveting conclusion of the Civil War through the minds and hearts of the individuals who gave their last full measure.

Full of human passion and the spellbinding truth of history, The Last Full Measure is the fitting capstone to a magnificent literary trilogy.

©2020 Jeff Shaara (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Riveting.... Vivid.... Brilliantly depicted.... The last full measure is more than another historical novel. It is rooted in history, but its strength is the element of humanity flowing through its characters.... The book is compelling, easy to read, well researched and written, and thought-provoking.... In short, it is everything that a reader could ask for." (Chicago Tribune)

"A worthy companion to its two predecessors.... These characters come alive as complex, heroic, and flawed men.... You are with [Robert E.] Lee, a deeply religious man, as he first begins to wonder if the Confederate cause will prevail.... You ride with [Ulysses S.] Grant to see the mounds of Union dead at Cold Harbor, and you share his sickening realization that thousands are dead because of his miscalculation.... You are at [Joshua] Chamberlain's bedside as he fights to recover from nearly mortal wounds.... Each book is masterful in its own way and taken together, they are unmatched in the body of Civil War literature." (The Baltimore Sun)

"An ambitious work.... [Shaara] writes with considerable sensitivity and skill, setting vivid scenes and adding drama and suspense to a familiar tale." (The Seattle Times)

Compelling Conclusion

I really enjoyed Jeff Shaara’s final installment of the “Civil War” trilogy written by him and his father. I enjoyed getting into the kind of Robert E. Lee, his confusion as to why the tide of war turned, yet never concluding his stance was ill-selected from the beginning. I LOVED President Lincoln’s initial comments to Ulysses Grant. Those comments are STILL poignant today. Out r constitution and our union is STILL worth defending and no one has the right to dissolve it. Bravo, Mr. Shaara.

almost as good as the others

i love history and have really enjoyed the last 2 books betweed him and his father but it didn't grasp my attention like the others. i enjoyed the last two enough that i rented the movies that were of course not as good because they condensed the stories. with that said i still enjoyed this book to an extent. there were moments where i could really imagine what it was like. id say give it a shot and form your own opinion

Probably the least favorite of this trilogy

This entry is the weakest of the trilogy. The story drags a bit too long repeating the same tone for General Lee. I still enjoyed the book and Bramhall gives another solid performance in the reading.

Compelling!

This is such a compelling story that it is a shame they never made a movie about it. I think the writing is superb and detailed.

A must read for those wanting to learn about The Civil War

This is an excellent conclusion to the series about the civil war. The authors of this series do their best to tell the story through the main characters own words and experiences. This was a great way for me to fill a knowledge gap that I had. It gave me a great appreciation for the people, the battles, and the sacrifices that were made.

Great Continence of Killer Angels

Live in the minds of Civil War heroes as they battle post-Gettysburg to the final conclusion at Appomattox Court House.

great story!

I normally do not write reviews but this book was fantastic, the story of the civil War brought to life.

Good facts weak style

I learned many new bits of information but the writing style left much ti be desired. The book needed a better editor.

A must listen for great insight of Gettysburg.

Love this great book. Author gives wonderful stories in a way like no other. With Mark Bramels Audible performance, I could not stop gathering the Authors intent. Will also be purchasing the actual book for my library. So many great quotes to be remembered.
Mark Bramel made you feel right there with his Audible style.

Fantastic fiction about US Civil War history...

Portraits of Grant and Lee stand out, and it ends with an epilogue telling you what happened to Lee's horse, Traveler.

The US Civil War is somehow more relevant now than when the book was written. A useful resource for anyone who wants to know more about the tactical and psychological elements of the conflict, which are given short shrift in our modern understanding.

Third book in a trilogy. Best appreciated after checking out the other two.