Friday, June 23, 2006

Killer Angels is a great novel

I am right now in the middle of The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. I bought it in Gettysburg, which I visited a few weeks ago for the first time, and on the back cover some famous historian claimed this novel about the battle was some of the best historical fiction he'd ever run across. So I bought it.

Now, I do love historical fiction as a rule but anything about war bores me to tears. Usually. Yet this book is FANTASTIC! I can hardly put it down. I am really learning about the various players - Lee, Longstreet, Meade, Chamberlain - in a way I've never done before, and the style in which the book is written, I am truly enjoying it!

When we left Gettysburg, I knew I wanted to go back soon. So much history, so much to learn. And now this book is making me want to rush down there even sooner.

Definitely a worthwhile read.

Addendum: I couldn't wait to get to the end of The Killer Angels, and now I'm so sad it's over. A welcome conundrum associated with great books.